Hi George,

Yes, you can and it’s easier than you might think. The service history is the first place to start. An honest vendor will always be happy to share it with you, and if there are any big bills outside of normal servicing schedule, ask why. If they’re being evasive, or don’t have the service history, be wary. Next, physically inspect the car. Look down along the sides of the car – do all the lines look straight? Look underneath and have a good poke around with a powerful torch. Does the chassis and underbody of the car look ok? Are there any panels that appear to have been buckled or bent? Check under the bonnet for the same and look for ‘overspray’ or paint having been accidentally applied to something that it shouldn’t have such as the sides of the engine. Check under the boot carpet for more wavy panels and overplay too. Finally, if you’re unsure, get the car inspected by the AA or a similar service. They’ll soon spot any issues.