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

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【Summary】AA Cars has found that faulty brakes are the most common issue with used vehicles in the UK. Their data shows that 70% of used cars inspected have at least one fault, with brake issues being the most common. The average cost to fix brake issues is £400. Other common faults include previous accident damage, corrosion, and clutch malfunctions. Buyers are encouraged to get a pre-purchase vehicle inspection to avoid costly repairs.

FutureCar Staff Aug 17, 2023 9:23 AM PT

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

AA cars has issued a warning to used car buyers in Britain to be cautious about faulty brakes, as they have been identified as the most common issue when purchasing a second-hand vehicle. The platform has analyzed data from its expert assessors, who discovered that 70 percent of the used cars they inspected had at least one fault. Brakes were found to be the most prevalent flaw, with an average cost of £400 to fix.

Aside from brake issues, the next most common faults were signs of previous accident damage and corrosion, followed by clutch-related malfunctions. Fixing these issues could range from £600 to £800. Among the most common faults, timing chain and belt fault noises were identified as the most costly, potentially reaching £1,200.

The survey also explored the knowledge of potential faults among used car buyers. It revealed that 85 percent of buyers lift up the car's bonnet, but 45 percent admitted to having no idea what they are looking for. Only 24 percent were aware that brakes were the most common flaw to be vigilant about.

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 purchase a house without a survey. However, many car buyers overlook the benefits of a vehicle inspection before spending thousands of pounds. King highlighted that common problems identified by vehicle inspectors are often difficult for the average person to detect. Even if buyers conduct some checks themselves, such as looking at the bonnet, they may not know what to look for.

AA vehicle inspectors perform up to 206 checks on a car, which is nearly impossible for non-motoring experts to replicate. Undetected faults can result in costly repairs, as 70 percent of used cars assessed were found to have some kind of issue. King emphasized that purchasing a car without an inspection poses a significant financial risk. Vehicle inspections provide buyers with peace of mind and the ability to negotiate a lower price or request repairs if faults are found before making the purchase.