As we mentioned in our last blog and indeed many before, we are flag waving fans of all things four wheel drive, the incredible breadth of abilities that 4x4s possess is incredibly desirable. With recent 4×4 sales showing sustained increase it appears that we are not alone in our love for these practical, capable machines. If you cannot quite stretch to that brand new showroom fresh off-roader don’t worry though as the second hand market is a good place to get a fantastic vehicle for a great price. When buying a second hand car there are areas that you should check before investing.
Here at CWS 4×4 we have over 18 years experience in providing Land Rover spares as well as spare parts for a huge range of other four wheel drive vehicles. As experts in the field we have come to know the areas of 4x4s that can cause problems for second hand buyers and have put together this guide so that you will know exactly what to look out for.
Engine
When buying any car you will want to hear the engine run, when you go to view the car ensure that it is not already started for you as this could indicate a hesitation in starting the engine. Stand behind the car and ask for the engine to be started from cold, keep an eye on the tailpipes when the engine starts and ensure that there is not an excessive amount of smoke. An excessive amount of blue or black smoke from the exhaust pipes can indicate that the car is burning oil which can point to all manner of engine maladies. Make sure that the engine runs smoothly throughout the rev range, the noise of the engine can be misleading as some engines (especially diesels) are fairly loud but so long as they sound smooth there shouldn’t be an issue.
Underneath
When buying a 4×4 you may well have to get your hands a little dirty to make sure that you get a good one as the underneath of the car is one of the most vital areas to check. The standard check for rust should be done but there are further checks that need to be executed on off road vehicles. Firstly you will want to check the engine sump (located on the bottom of the engine) make sure that there are no dints or scratches on the sump that could hint to the car bottoming out. Once you have checked the sump make sure to have a good look at the bottom of the car and check that there is no damage or leaks as these can become costly very quickly.
Suspension
Due to the off-road capabilities of these vehicles the suspension is required to take a lot of heavy and sustained use. Most 4x4s have a bespoke suspension set up that is designed to contend with this extreme usage. Whilst this set-up makes the suspension very tough it also means that it can be hugely expensive to replace should it have any problems. If you are unsure on exactly what to check then arrange an extended test drive and take the car into a specialist mechanic who can diagnose any problems for certain.
Gearbox
With many vehicles having complex transfer boxes and low ratio gearboxes it is important to make sure that these parts are in good working order as yet again they can be a very expensive repair to make. On the test drive make sure that the car pulls well throughout the rev range and ensure that all gears engage easily and work as they should. Any vagueness in the gearbox may only be a loose linkage but it could point to an imminent gearbox replacement and should be seen as a warning.
Steering
Modern 4x4s should be as easy to steer as any other car on the road and the ease of steering is vital to the cars useful nature. If the steering in the car feels heavy and the wheel is difficult to turn then this could point to a worn out, leaky or faulty power steering pump which requires lots of money and garage labour time in order to fix. On the test drive make sure that the steering doesn’t feel vague or have excessive play as this can also point to problems with the power steering system.
Tyres
The tyres on-off road cars are often designed specifically for that vehicle and are therefore hard to get hold of and expensive when they are found. Make sure that all the tyres including the spare have plenty of tread as they can easily top £150 per corner to replace. If the tyres on the car are budget ones or are perhaps mismatched then this can also hint to a lack of care for correct maintenance from the previous owner which is no good thing.
This guide should help you to avoid ending up with a car that is little more than a money pit, if all these areas are well maintained then it is a pretty sure sign that the car has been cared for and has many years of service ahead of it. We hope this guide helps you to get the perfect car and that you enjoy many miles on and off the road in your incredible new off-roader. If you are ever struggling to find that crucial spare part then feel free to contact us and our experienced staff will be more than happy to hunt it down for you.