​Motorists in Glasgow most likely to buy a used car ‘blind’

Figures for Scotland’s biggest city indicate drivers there are 35% less likely to get the background checked on a used car than those in Edinburgh – and nearly 60% less likely than motorists in Manchester.

Glasgow is followed by Carlisle and Durham as the three cities in the UK where motorists are happiest to ‘chance it’ and run the risk of buying a car with a shady past – which could lead to costly problems once they have paid for their chosen vehicle and driven it away.

At the other end of the spectrum, for the second year running it is Bristol car buyers who top the league and claim their position as the UK’s savviest, with motorists there being nearly three times as likely to get a vehicle check than those in Glasgow. Used car shoppers in the South West’s largest city are closely followed in the smart buying stakes by those in St Albans and Birmingham.

A vehicle data check is a simple and low cost way of discovering if a car has been stolen, written off or still on finance and is an essential purchase for anyone looking to buy a used car, especially one on the private market that does not come with legal protection offered by using a reputable dealership. The RAC Car Passport product gives added value by including common reasons for breakdowns for a specific car, an unbiased review from a motoring expert, and a valuation.

The five cities where motorists are least likely to buy a vehicle data check:

1. Glasgow
2. Carlisle
3. Durham
4. Hull
5. York

The five cities where motorists are most likely to buy a check:

1. Bristol
2. St Albans
3. Birmingham
4. Reading
5. Chelmsford

Used car values are at an all-time high with the average motor selling for £8,261 in May, which is £300 more than in the same month last year.** Nonetheless, the RAC recommends motorists ‘buy smart’ by getting a thorough vehicle check before parting with their hard-earned cash. This dramatically cuts the chances of driving away with a vehicle which could have problems including invisible defects, or might still be owned by a finance company.

RAC director of motoring services Rob Diamond said: “Our data reveals the huge regional disparities when it comes to people checking out a used car’s history. Completing an RAC Car Passport check takes seconds, at £14.99 costs less than a set of wiper blades and should be on every buyer’s to-do list when they are looking to change car.***

“It just doesn’t pay to take the risk when it comes to buying a used car – for such a small sum, drivers can get some valuable reassurance that they are not about to buy a lemon. Those looking for extra certainty should consider a vehicle inspection. For just £99, or 1% of the purchase price of a typical used car,**** buyers can benefit from a multi-point check, road test and report completed by one of the RAC’s experienced and qualified RAC engineers.”

For more details on the RAC Car Passport vehicle check service, visit www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/rac-car-data-check.