Box Autos

Tough financial times have prompted Autocar’s Used Car Expert James Ruppert to reveal the secrets of Bangernomics; showing savvy car buyers the contrasts of buying a new car with the supreme good sense of buying a well-used one. At a stroke, depreciation no longer becomes an issue, running costs are slashed and there are no finance charges.

The full Bangernomics guide is published in Autocar Wednesday 15^th 2013, detailing Autocar’s pick of the best city cars, people carriers, family cars, luxury saloons as well as performance cars. The feature also highlights common issues and faults to bear in mind when considering a competitively priced used car.

“Bangernomics makes you feel good about owning a car. In fact, you will have a warm green glow from recycling a used car, prolonging its life and hopefully seeing a slightly larger balance in your bank account. Not only is Bangernomics easy, it is mostly fun. You learn some skills, waste less money and have a new topic of dinner party conversation,” commented James Ruppert, Autocar’s used car expert.

Used cars have never been cheaper. In the last few years the fall in new car prices, cheap finance and a culture of increasingly rapid automotive obsolescence has meant that cars past their fifth birthday have decreased in value. There are numerous BMWs, Mercedes and Audis available at very competitive prices. Savvy buyers could pick up a BMW 5-series from £595, a Mercedes from £395 and an iconic Volkswagen Golf from £495.

BANGERNOMICS BEST BUYS
Volkswagen Golf Mark 2 from £495
Mercedes 190E from £395
BMW 5-series from £595
Saab 900 from £450
Nissan Micra from £299

HOW TO BUY THE BANGERNOMICS WAY
TEN TOP TIPS ON HOW TO FIND A CHEAP USED CAR
THAT WILL DELIVER MANY HAPPY MILES OF CHEAP MOTORING

STEP ONE: GET BANGERNOMICS SENSES
Use your eyes, ears and nose to check the car’s vital signs. Does the engine sound ropey? Can you smell oil?

STEP TWO: CONDITION IS KEY
There is no excuse for buying an un-roadworthy heap. How does the bodywork look?

STEP THREE: UNDER THE BONNET
Take a look and take a mate or vehicle expert with you to get a valuable second opinion on the car.

STEP FOUR: AROUND THE BODY
Check that the doors, windows, bonnet and boot open and close, and don’t be afraid to walk away if the car looks rust riddled.

STEP FIVE: TYRES
Check they have a legal depth of tread, even wear across the tyre and no serious blemishes or damage.

STEP SIX: PAPERWORK
The registration document is an absolute must. An MOT and receipts for services and repairs work are important too. Obtain a data check to make sure it isn’t stolen, on finance or a write-off.

STEP SEVEN: START THE ENGINE
Check it starts cleanly and that there is no billowing smoke from the exhaust.

STEP EIGHT: PLAY WITH BUTTONS
Prod and press all the knobs, dials and handles to make sure they work properly.

STEP NINE: TEST DRIVE
Engage the gears and pull sharply away. You don’t want to hear crashes, bangs, screeches or whines or feel a saggy suspension.

STEP TEN: AFTER THE DRIVE
Look under the bonnet with the engine running – check for leaks, smoke or strange noises.

MAKE YOUR BANGER LAST LONGER

It takes just a few minutes’ checking, cleaning and fussing every week to make a big difference. After just a few weeks you and your car will notice the difference. It will run better, last longer and be cheaper to run.

Check and change your oil regularly. Oil is the lifeblood of your car, providing vital lubrication, so look at the dipstick before every journey and make sure it nudges the ‘max’ mark. Also change the oil often, especially if you only cover short journeys, at least every six months.

Check other levels too, such as brake fluid and water. You will soon notice if there are sudden drops and a garage can identify any problem, put it right and stop major damage.

Look to see if there are any fluid leaks from hoses, or loose belts. Also if you hear any strange noises, get them investigated before a minor fault becomes a major expense. Of course, regular servicing is a must and so is bodywork hygiene. Cleaning keeps corrosion at bay and also means you inspect every area of the car carefully.