Buying a used car in winter in Barnsley: what to check in the cold and dark

What should you check when you buy a used car in autumn or winter in Barnsley?

Quick answer: View the car in daylight, and ask for it to be started from cold while you watch. Then check the things winter tests hardest: the heater and demister, every light, the battery, the tyres, and any sign of damp or leaks. If it's an electric car, ask what range it shows on a full charge in cold weather. A wet, chilly afternoon is not a bad time to buy. It just means you look a little more carefully.

From October the evenings close in fast, and plenty of people end up viewing a car after work in the dark or the rain. Citizens Advice recommends viewing a used car in daylight and, if you can, when it's dry, because damage is harder to spot on wet paint.

At anycolourcar.com we sell quality used vehicles from The Old Garage on Genn Lane in Worsbrough. We would rather buyers from Hoyland, Penistone and Cudworth knew what to look for in the colder months than hope for the best, whoever they buy from.

Looking for your next car? Start on car search or call sales on 01226 574410.

Why winter changes how you view a used car

Cold, wet and dark weather hides some faults and shows up others. Rain on the paint hides scratches, dents and mismatched panels. Poor light hides tired interiors and worn tyres.

But the cold is also an honest test. A weak battery, a lazy heater or a leaking door seal will often give itself away on a chilly day when it would have gone unnoticed in July. So winter doesn't make buying riskier. It changes what you look for.

Book a daylight viewing and ask for a cold start

Try to see the car in daylight. On a weekday that can mean a lunchtime visit. Saturdays are often easier, and our sales team is in on Saturdays.

When you book, ask for the car not to be started or warmed up before you arrive. Then watch and listen as it starts:

1. Does it start promptly? Slow, laboured turning over can point to a tired battery.
2. Is there smoke from the exhaust? A little steam on a cold morning is normal. Thick or coloured smoke that doesn't clear is worth asking about.
3. Any rattles or knocks as it fires up? Some noises only show when the engine is cold.
4. Do any warning lights stay on? They should all go out once the engine is running.

Heater, demister and screen

The Highway Code says you must be able to see before you set off, with snow and ice cleared from every window and the windows thoroughly demisted. So a car that can't clear its own screen is no good to you in a Barnsley January.

During the viewing, check:

• The heater blows properly hot once the engine has warmed up
• The demister clears the windscreen in a reasonable time
• The heated rear screen works, and the heated front screen if the car has one
• The air conditioning switches on, as it helps clear misted glass
• The wipers and washers work on every speed, with no smearing

Lights and battery

You will use the lights far more over the next few months, so walk round the car with them on. Check the headlights on dipped and main beam, the sidelights, the indicators, the brake lights, the reversing lights and the fog lights. Ask someone to stand behind the car while you press the brake pedal.

Inside, make sure the dashboard lights and screens work, and that nothing flickers or dims. Flickering lights and a slow start together are a classic sign of a battery near the end of its life.

Our guide to autumn driving prep for darker mornings covers lights and visibility in more detail.

Tyres: tread, age and condition

Tyres matter more on cold, wet and greasy roads. The Highway Code says cars must have a tread depth of at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference. That's the legal minimum, not a target, so more tread is better going into winter.

Look at all four tyres, plus the spare if there is one:

• Tread depth across the whole width, not just the middle
• Uneven wear, such as one edge worn more than the other, which can point to alignment problems
• Cracks, cuts or bulges in the sidewalls
• Matching tyres on the same axle

The free GOV.UK MOT history checker will also show any tyre advisories from past tests. Our guide to what an MOT advisory means explains how to read them. If you're thinking about winter or all-season tyres, our winter tyres guide sets out the pros and cons.

Damp, leaks and rust

Here, wet weather actually helps you. A car that has been sitting in the rain will show a leak if it has one. Check for:

• Damp carpets, especially in the footwells and under the mats
• Water in the boot, including under the boot floor and around the spare wheel
• Misting inside the windows that doesn't clear with the heater on
• A musty smell, which can mean water has been getting in for a while

Salted winter roads are hard on the underside of a car. Look at the sills, wheel arches and the bottom of the doors for bubbling paint or rust. The MOT history will show any corrosion advisories too.

Buying a used electric or hybrid car in winter

Electric cars usually go less far on a charge in cold weather. The battery works less efficiently when it's cold, and heating the cabin uses energy that would otherwise go on driving. That's normal, and it doesn't mean the battery is faulty.

When you view a used electric car in the colder months, ask:

• What range does it show on a full charge in today's weather?
• Does it have a heat pump? On many models it helps the car use less energy to heat the cabin.
• Can you warm it up while it's still plugged in? Many cars let you heat the cabin before you set off.
• Are there heated seats or a heated steering wheel? These warm you directly and use less energy than heating the whole cabin.

Our guide to EV range explained covers what affects range all year round, and our guide on whether to buy a used electric car in Barnsley helps you decide if one suits you.

What we do before a car leaves us

Every car at anycolourcar.com is prepared by our own technicians at our Stairfoot service centre in Barnsley. It leaves with at least nine months' MOT, booked and paid for by us at a DVSA-approved testing station. Our guide to buying a used car with a short MOT left explains why that matters.

We don't pay sales commission, so you get straight answers and no pressure. Ask us to start the car from cold, put the heater on and walk round it with the lights on. We're happy to do it. If you're further away and can't get here before dark, we can send you a walk-around video.

A cold, wet afternoon is not a bad time to view a car. It's an honest one. If it starts well, clears its screen and stays dry inside, you have learned a lot.

FAQ

Is winter a bad time to buy a used car?

No. You just need to check a few things more carefully. The cold shows up weak batteries, poor heaters and leaks, which is useful to know before you buy rather than after.

Should I view a used car in the dark?

Try not to. Citizens Advice recommends viewing in daylight, and when it's dry if possible. If you can only make it after dark, use a good torch, and come back in daylight before you commit.

What is the legal minimum tread depth for car tyres?

The Highway Code says cars must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its whole circumference. More is better for winter roads.

How much range does an electric car lose in winter?

It varies by model, weather and how you drive, so there is no single figure. The best guide is to ask what range the car shows on a full charge on the day you view it.

Can I part exchange my car in the autumn?

Yes, part exchange is welcome at any time of year. Our guide to how a fair part-exchange offer is built explains what we look at.

Do you carry out MOT tests at your site?

No. We don't have an MOT bay. The MOT is booked and paid for by us at a DVSA-approved testing station, and every car leaves with at least nine months' MOT.

In short

Winter is a fine time to buy a used car, as long as you see it in daylight, watch it start from cold, and check the heater, lights, tyres and cabin for damp. On an electric car, ask about real cold-weather range. If the car passes all of that on a grey Barnsley afternoon, it should serve you well all year.

For the rest of your checks, work through our used car buying checklist and our test drive checklist. And if something does go wrong after you buy, our guide to your consumer rights on a used car explains where you stand.

Ready to look? Browse car search or call sales on 01226 574410.

anycolourcar.com · The Old Garage, Genn Lane, Worsbrough, Barnsley S70 6TF · Sales 01226 574410