Buying a car is an exciting experience but can also be daunting if you don’t know what to look out for when making your choice. An important risk to check for is whether a vehicle has previously been in an accident. A damaged vehicle which has not been repaired properly can be unsafe to drive or may be worth less when you come to sell it. So read our advice before choosing your second-hand vehicle. How to tell if a vehicle has been in an accident 1. A vehicle history check Make sure you choose a reputable dealer and ask if they will carry out a full vehicle check. At Rockpoint , we offer the HPI check, widely considered the best in the UK. It uses the registration number, chassis number (VIN) and logbook (V5C) details to throw up any issues with a car and its history such as its mileage, ownership and any outstanding finance. It will also alert you to whether the car is an insurance write-off. An insurance-write off happens when a car has suffered damage and the insurer considers the r

Cars breakdowns and accidents are far more likely over winter, so it is important to give your vehicle extra attention when the weather gets colder. Follow our checks and precautions to get your car winter ready. 1. Car service If your car is due a service anyway, it is sensible to book it in before the winter. Alternatively, some garages offer free winter car checks so look out for offers. 2. Tyres Tyres affect both braking and steering so are among the most important parts of your vehicle to check. It is especially important when roads are icy or wet that your vehicle can stop as quickly as possible. Ensure that tyres are not worn – experts say tread depth should be 3mm during the winter for a good grip. Also check tyre pressure. Winter tyres should be inflated to 0.2 bar higher than summer. Do this outside, not in a warm garage. 3. Battery Car batteries work much harder in the winter months so make sure to check them. And if your car battery is struggling to start, have it replaced