Buying a used car can be really risky. Whether you’re buying from a private seller or a dealership, there’s numerous factors you need to consider. Due to the sheer number of things you need to look at, it’s easy to forget some potentially important steps.
One thing that’s especially easy to forget is checking the car’s MOT. So why is this important and what can happen if you don’t do an MOT check?
Understanding the importance of MOTs
MOTs are designed to ensure a vehicle is in full working order and safe to be on the roads. It’s a legal requirement to have the MOT done once a year on all cars aged three years and over, and if it passes, you receive a certificate.
However, these days a lot of drivers are underestimating just how important the MOT is. So, in a bid to save money, they are taking their cars to their mechanic friends, who are passing the vehicles despite several problems being found. They do this with a recommendation to the driver to fix the problem as soon as they can.
Many drivers also don’t fully understand the rules regarding an MOT. They also don’t realise that not having a proper MOT carried out on their vehicle, could end up costing them more in the long term. The running costs could end up being higher and the cost of repairs will also be more expensive if a little problem turns into a big one.
Why MOT checks are important
So, you know why MOTs are important, but why is it important to check the MOT status of a car you’re thinking of buying?
As many unfortunate drivers have discovered, buying a car with a dodgy MOT can lead to a wide range of potentially expensive problems. It may need expensive repairs which haven’t been disclosed, or it could have been in an accident which the seller hasn’t told you about.
Another potential worry is that the car could be stolen. When you have a check carried out by cap hpi for example, it will tell you everything from who the car is registered to and provide details of its MOT history.
Overall, the MOT is very important and it shouldn’t be ignored when you’re looking at buying a new car. If you want to ensure you’re getting a good, reliable deal, always carry out appropriate checks before you agree to buy.
