A viewing is where the advert meets the car. Photos miss smells, and a short video will not tell you whether the clutch bites cleanly. Go with a list. You are allowed to leave without buying.

This is for a normal used-car viewing in Glasgow, not a ramp inspection. If the weather is filthy, do not rush the bodywork just to get back in the dry.

Before you leave the house

Read the advert again and write down the claims you want to test. Mileage, owners, service history, MOT length, and any damage already admitted. Check the free MOT history (opens in a new tab) so you know the last recorded mileage and any advisories for corrosion, brakes or emissions.

If you might drive the car into Glasgow city centre, run the registration through the Low Emission Zone checker (opens in a new tab) first. The LEZ guide explains why petrol and diesel are not judged the same way. Sort that before you are standing in the rain deciding whether you like the seats.

Agree the place and the time before you travel. Clyde Select viewings are by appointment, and we confirm where to come when you message. Take a torch. Daylight is better than a car park at night. If you can only come after dark, look again in daylight before you commit.

Walk round before anyone starts the engine

Go slowly along each side. Look for ripples, mismatched paint, and panel gaps that change from one door to the next. Open every door, the boot and the bonnet, and shut them yourself. A door that drops, or a boot that needs a slam, is worth a question.

In the west of Scotland, look hard at the sills, the wheel arches and the bottom of the doors. Salt and standing water find those places. Crouch and look along the sill with a torch. You do not need to crawl under a car in the street.

Tyres should have legal tread and even wear. A tyre worn on one edge can mean a knock or poor alignment. Fresh paint on one corner, with overspray on the trim, is a reason to ask what happened.

Compare what you see with the listing. The Kia Sportage page mentions scratches and bodywork marks. The Ford C-Max page mentions small scratches on the back right. The Nissan Juke page mentions a dent on the front passenger door. You should find a mark that was declared, and you should notice anything that was not.

Inside, and under the bonnet

Sit in the driver's seat. Can you see out, and is the position comfortable? Try the windows, mirrors, heater and washers. Switch the ignition on, note which warning lights appear, then start the engine and note which ones go out. A light that stays on needs an explanation.

Smell the carpets and lift the mats. A damp or musty smell is worth chasing. Look in the boot floor for water staining. Under the bonnet, look for a very low oil level, white sludge under the oil cap, and fresh wet leaks. Ask when it was last serviced, and whether the evidence is a book or a stack of invoices. Wider paperwork checks are in what to check before you buy.

Match the number plates and the vehicle identification number to the V5C. The name on the document should be the person or business selling the car. If it is not, ask why before you go any further.

On the move

Only drive if the seller agrees, and if you are insured to. Ask. Do not assume. A quiet street and a short run at normal speed is enough. You are listening, not performing.

  • The clutch should bite smoothly, and the gears, including reverse, should select without a fight. The Sportage listing already says the gears can be hard to engage and that this was described as clutch-related. If you view that car, this is the moment to feel what the note means.
  • Brakes should pull the car up in a straight line, without a judder through the wheel.
  • Steering should not wander or tug to one side on a flat road.
  • Listen for knocks over bumps, a whine that changes with speed, and exhaust noise that gets louder under load.
  • Check that the temperature gauge behaves like a normal warm-up, not a climb towards the top.

If you cannot drive it, you still learn from a running engine, the edges of the car, and the paperwork. Say if you want to come back. You do not have to decide in the next five minutes.

Before you say yes

Compare the car with the advert one last time. Mileage and the condition notes should line up with what you saw. If something important was missed, walk away or talk about the price. You do not owe anyone a decision on the pavement.

A second opinion from a garage you trust is reasonable if you are unsure, especially where a history check shows repaired accident damage. What Cat S and Cat N do and do not mean is worth reading first.

When you are ready to see a Clyde Select car, message us on Facebook, tell us which listing, and offer a couple of times. Have a look at current stock first so we both know which car you mean.