AA Cars reveals how much it costs to repair the eight most common faults found on used cars

Faulty brakes are the problem most commonly found during expert assessments of used cars for sale, AA Cars’ vehicle inspectors have revealed.

Seven out of 10 used cars assessed by AA Cars’ impartial inspectors are found to have at least one fault — and to help buyers avoid making a costly mistake, they have listed the problems they come across most frequently.

Brake issues are the most common fault which inspectors uncover, costing £400 on average to fix. This is followed by signs of previous accident damage and corrosion — which can vary in cost depending on how severe it is.

People considering buying a used car can book a pre-purchase vehicle inspection beforehand to check its condition. A comprehensive AA inspection includes up to 206 checks, including mechanical parts and bodywork.

Most drivers make an effort to check a used car’s condition before they buy it, but without expert knowledge their ability to spot potential problems is limited. While 85% of would-be buyers say they lift up the car’s bonnet, almost half (45%) admit they have no idea what they are looking for.

However, drivers do have a good awareness of what sort of issues tend to arise with used cars. A quarter of drivers (24%) believe the most commonly found problem is with the brakes – which was the number one fault listed by AA Cars’ vehicle inspectors.

Edmund King, AA president said, “A car is often the second-biggest purchase people make after their home. Most people wouldn’t dream of buying a house without a survey — yet many car buyers don’t stop to consider the benefits of a pre-purchase vehicle inspection before parting with thousands of pounds.

“Many of the most common problems vehicle inspectors find during assessments are hard for the average person to spot. Even if drivers carry out some checks themselves, such as looking at the bonnet, many do not know what they’re looking for.

“AA vehicle inspectors carry out up to 206 checks on a car, and this is nearly impossible for non-motoring experts to replicate. 

“Yet if a fault goes undetected, drivers could find themselves forking out hundreds of pounds to repair it. With 70% of used cars assessed found to have some kind of issue, drivers who make a purchase without getting an inspection could be taking a big financial risk.

“Vehicle inspections can give drivers valuable peace of mind that a vehicle is in good condition and they won’t be in for any nasty surprises. If a fault is found, this can give the buyer the power to haggle down the price or request a repair before they purchase the car.”