A used car expert has shared the key components to check to prevent buying a pre-owned vehicle with a hidden history.

The used car market is currently going from strength to strength, with sales of electric vehicles and superminis in particular seeing sharp rises. While this means drivers can easily pick up a bargain, they could be putting themselves at risk of eye-watering repair bills in the near future.

To help drivers avoid scams, Dan Meeghan from the vehicle scanning device manufacturer Carly suggested several checks that used car buyers should make, starting with the bodywork.

He advised: “Take time to carefully inspect the car’s bodywork.

“Look for inconsistencies in paint, rust, and misaligned panels, which could indicate past accidents or poor maintenance.”

Whilst the majority of used vehicles sold in the UK have a clear and accident-free history, drivers can check if a car has been badly repaired after an accident in a number of ways.

In particular, motorists should look for unusual panel gaps that seem wider than normal or inconsistent with others. This would suggest the vehicle has some structural damage, with replacement parts in that area not fitting correctly.

Signs of inconsistent paint, fading, or rust could also be a good way to tell if the vehicle has been repaired using non-standard components, which are likely to have been made using lower-quality materials.

Dan also recommended starting up the engine to listen for any noises that would be unusual for the indicated mileage, which can help drivers avoid costly repair bills.

He added: “Start the engine and listen for any unusual noises, especially knocking or excessive vibrations.

“Ensure gear changes are smooth, the clutch is responsive, and there’s no pulling to one side when driving.”

Finally, Dan advised drivers to use an OBD [onboard diagnostics] scanning tool, such as the Carly device, to check for any fault codes recorded and discrepancies in mileage.

He explained: “Modern cars can be tricky to assess, but tools like the Carly OBD scanner give you an insight into the car’s health.

“Plug it into the vehicle’s diagnostic port to uncover any hidden issues before you buy.”