It might not be obvious, but spotting this subtle sign could uncover something major
Cars can be one of the single biggest purchases that most people make in their lives, so getting something in good working order is essential. Ignoring this tiny red flag could end up costing you thousands with a mechanic later down the line.
Pete, who runs the TikTok page @capturing_cars, said that anyone who is thinking about getting a used car should double-check for this easy-to-miss sign that something could be seriously wrong with it. You don’t need to be an expert mechanic to spot this potential issue, and it involves taking a look at something you’d probably never think twice about.
The former car salesman said: “This very simple check that you can do could potentially save you thousands of pounds when you are looking at buying your next used car and – the great thing is – it requires zero mechanical knowledge. The thing you need to check is on the outside of the car.”
Using one of his own cars as an example, Pete points out a very minor detail that could prove to be very important on the front and rear number plates. He said: “What you’re looking at is what’s written at the bottom of the plate.”
On his own motor, he points out that both plates have matching suppliers. Pete continued: “What that will tell you is that the plates have never been off of this car.”
He claims that this is very important as there are few reasons why a car number plate needs to come off the vehicle. Pete said that it could be as innocent as the plate itself becoming “worn out” and swapped for a fresh set – but it could be a subtle red flag that the car has previously been involved in an accident and had “some kind of front-end damage.”
The ex-salesman said: “If you see that, obviously get an HPI check or a car vertical check [and ask to] look under the bonnet for any signs of damage.” He also warned that matching plates might also warn about something from the car’s past.
Pete said: “What is even more suspicious, and I see this quite a lot on cars, is if the number plate, even if they’re matching, says…any kind of body shop. If it has body shop number plates on it, then that is a clear sign that that car has had some kind of damage.”
Do dealers need to tell me if a car has been damaged in an accident?
According to The Car Expert, the law should be on your side in the event you find out a car is damaged after you bought it. Car dealers must abide by various legal requirements, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
However, the law does not specify what sort of damage must be declared by a seller. Instead, it talks about unfair trading practices, and the language is fairly broad and open to interpretation.
Ideally, you should get the salesperson’s email address and ask them in writing whether the car has had any repair work done – along with any other questions you have about the vehicle. That way, you have written correspondence you can refer back to at a later date if necessary.
