To be able to judge the body work of a car, you need a keen eye. Dents and scratches are easy to spot, but in general these irregularities do not hide major damage. Remember that you are buying a used car, which will never be in mint condition. In this article we look for indicators that point out serious damage from accidents in the past.

The engine is the most expensive part of a car and probably the hardest to judge. A quick peek in the engine bay is interesting, but what can actually be seen here? Under the bonnet you can find clues that point to the weak and worn out parts of the engine. A weak part may require maintenance, but can also mean very expensive repairs, in which case it is advisable not to buy the car.

Are you buying a used car for the first time? Do you have little knowledge of the used car market? Follow the steps below, and use the articles of the PreOwnedCarAdvice Handbook.

The quality of a gearbox depends highly on the previous owner(s). This means that you can find out what the general condition of a car is by just checking the gearbox. A poorly functioning gearbox can very well mean that the car in general has been treated badly. An important part which you should check in combination with the gearbox is the clutch.