Most common issue with used vehicles in the UK: faulty brakes

author: FutureCar Staff    

AA cars is warning used car buyers in Britain to be cautious of faulty brakes, as they have been found to be the most common issue when purchasing a second-hand vehicle. Data from expert assessors at the platform revealed that 70% of the used cars they inspected had at least one fault. Brakes were identified as the most common flaw, with an average cost of £400 to fix.

Aside from brake issues, the next most frequent faults were signs of previous accident damage and corrosion, followed by clutch-related malfunctions, which could cost between £600 and £800 to repair. Timing chain and belt fault noises were identified as the most expensive faults, potentially costing up to £1,200.

According to a survey conducted by AA cars, 85% of potential buyers admitted to lifting the car's bonnet to inspect it. However, 45% of them confessed to having no idea what they should be looking for, and only 24% were aware that brakes were the most common flaw to watch out for.

Edmund King, AA president, responded to the findings by emphasizing the importance of a pre-purchase vehicle inspection. He compared buying a car to buying a house, stating that most people wouldn't consider purchasing a house without a survey. King highlighted that many common problems identified by vehicle inspectors are difficult for the average person to detect. Even if buyers conduct some checks themselves, such as looking under the bonnet, they often lack the knowledge to identify potential issues.

AA vehicle inspectors conduct up to 206 checks on a car, which is nearly impossible for non-motoring experts to replicate. Therefore, purchasing a used car without an inspection poses a significant financial risk, as undetected faults could result in costly repairs. Vehicle inspections provide buyers with peace of mind and the opportunity to negotiate a lower price or request repairs before finalizing the purchase.

FutureCar Staff