(Image by MIKI Yoshihito used under CC license)
Whether you're a family in need of a car or a new business looking for a company vehicle, used cars will always offer value for money.Searching online saves precious time, and gives you all the information about a car upfront. Problems may not rear their head during warmer and dryer months, whereas winter is the biggest test for any car - new or used. Get prepared for winter and learn what to look out for when viewing a used car to avoid a below freezing disaster.
Why is planning important?
The importance of planning is clear for business, but why bother with a contingency plan for your car? Over the winter period car breakdowns nearly double, meaning a long, uncomfortable wait for breakdown vehicles while you attempt to stay warm. Plan for the worst and pack a winter survival kit in your car boot at the start of winter so that you'll be prepared for any eventuality.
A good survival kit should include a blanket or two for keeping warm, a torch and batteries for dark evenings (or mornings!), and some long-lasting snacks like chocolate or cereal bars. Now you and your passengers are taken care of, pack some extra essentials for your car, such as a shovel to dig your car out of any snow drifts, as well as extra screen wash, an ice scraper and some de-icer.
Get your car ready for winter
The best way to avoid winter breakdowns is to take care of a little maintenance before the cold season creeps in, and resolve any issues that arise. Kick start your preparations with a service, even if you're not due one. Many garages will even offer free winter services at the start of the season, so it's wise to take advantage. Car problems are much easier, and cheaper, to fix if you spot them early. Getting them sorted before winter will reduce the likelihood of a breakdown.
Battery checks are vital. With darker and colder days, your car's battery endures a lot of strain due to increased use of lights and heaters. The quickest way to do this is to start your car, put your headlights on and rev your engine. If the lights are bright and don't change when you rev the engine, the battery is fully charged and your charging system is functioning normally. If in doubt, take your car to a garage and ask them to look over it for you.
Your tyre tread should be no lower than 2mm to be safe for winter driving, and it's easier to check your tyres than you'd think! Simply place a 20p coin into the grooves of your tyre. If the outside of the coin is covered by the tyre, then your tread is around 2mm. Alternatively, you can fit your car with all-season or winter tyres which have better grip in cold, wet conditions because of their higher silica content.
Finally, make sure everything's topped up - screen wash, antifreeze and fuel should all be well-stocked to eliminate the need for last minute and dangerous stops to make avoidable refills.
A used car that'll survive the winter
With these winter preparation tips in mind, what should you look out for when buying a used car?
Checking the bodywork for any bumps, scrapes or rust should also be top of your list, as these issues are badly exacerbated by wet and cold weather. After inspecting the outside of the car, one of the most important things you can do is to take the car for a test drive. When you're out, apply the brakes to make sudden stops. Press every button on the dashboard so that you can see it's working. Take extra care to use all the gears and listen out for any unusual sounds which might suggest something's wrong.
When you're back from your test drive, check under the car for any leaks and find out when the most recent service was. If the car's coming up for a service soon, either request that the car receives the service before you buy it or use this as leverage to haggle yourself a better price.
Staying safe
Studies of in-vehicle video footage have suggested that 22% of all crashes are caused by distracted drivers, no matter the season. Find out if you are a safe driver with the digital experience, before signing the petition to raise awareness around the dangers of being unfocused behind the wheel.
Now get out there and drive!
Once you've made these safety checks and received all of the correct paperwork from the seller or dealer, then you're ready to go! With these tips you can avoid your usual winter breakdown, stay focused on the roads, and continue business as usual.
