Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer has warned used car buyers could be caught out by a simple mistake when buying a second-hand vehicle or classic model.
The TV star stressed road users should be aware of buying a vehicle with no warranty in place as the purchase could dramatically backfire.
Having no warranty in place means motorists are not covered if anything happens to their car after purchase.
It could leave buyers with a worthless hunk of metal if an issue develops just minutes after the transaction is complete.
The Wheeler Dealers star stressed the scenario could become a major problem for those purchasing their second-hand vehicle at car auctions.
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Speaking to Car Dealer Magazine on YouTube, Mike explained: “Be careful what you’re looking at, at the auction, if a car is sold with no warranty that means when the hammer goes down it’s yours.
“If you drive off the forecourt and the engine falls out, they’ll hand you a shovel until you move it off their forecourt.”
Many auctions will offer cars ‘sold as seen’ meaning they cannot be returned once the model hits the hammer.
However, the nature of an auction makes it difficult to conduct thorough checks on older models.
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Test drives are usually not permitted meaning potential buyers have to make a judgement on whether to secure a model without getting all the information.
However, sometimes cars will be moved around the auction hall which Mike claims could present a unique opportunity to get an advantage over other buyers.
He added: “Look behind me there are cars running through an auction hall, so that means the car is running, that means there’s somebody sitting behind the steering wheel of that car.
“So first and foremost I’ll be stood next to the car when it fires up just to check nothing nasty is coming out the exhaust pipe.
“Secondly, I’ll be talking to that person, I’ll be saying to that person ‘what’s the clutch feel like? What did the brake feel like? Steering feel good? Can you give it a little rev for me?’”
Mr Brewer also urged road users to check out a range of features which may get overlooked in the excitement of buying a new model.
He commented: “Make sure that you open the boot, lift up the carpet, make sure it’s got a spare wheel, make sure it’s got the tools, make sure it’s got a cigarette lighter.”
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