Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm | Sunday 10.00am - 2.00pm
You have found a used car that looks promising online and you are ready to see it in person. Before heading out, a little preparation can help you get more from the inspection.
It is easy to arrive, admire the car and forget half the questions you wanted to ask. Bringing a few useful items and a simple checklist helps you stay focused on whether the vehicle suits your needs.
If you are browsing used cars at Car Matars, here is what to have ready before your visit.
If you would like to take a test drive, bring your current driver licence and ask the dealership about its requirements beforehand. Confirm that your licence allows you to drive the vehicle, including whether any transmission restrictions apply.
It also helps to check that the car is available for inspection and arrange a suitable time. This gives you an opportunity to ask any initial questions before making the trip.
Save the advertisement on your phone so you can refer to the details during your visit. Note the advertised price, kilometres, model year and features you would like to confirm.
Photos do not always show every detail, and equipment can differ between variants of the same model. If something matters to you, such as a reversing camera, smartphone connectivity or a particular seating configuration, check it in person.
Useful questions to write down include:
Having your questions ready makes it easier to compare answers if you inspect several cars.
A car can look manageable on a dealership forecourt and feel very different in a narrow garage. Before your visit, measure your parking space, including any height restrictions and the room needed to open the doors.
Bring those measurements and a tape measure. Check the vehicle’s published dimensions, then consider practical details such as mirrors, the rear hatch and clearance around garage walls.
If you regularly carry bulky items, measure those too. A boot’s shape and opening can matter just as much as its overall capacity.
Where practical, bring the belongings that will regularly travel with you. A pram, folded wheelchair, golf bag or work case can quickly show whether the available space suits your routine.
Ask before loading anything and take care around the trim and paintwork. Try the boot with the rear seats upright if you normally need to carry passengers as well.
For a family car, check how much space remains between the front and rear seats once the driver’s seat is adjusted. If you need child restraints, confirm the vehicle’s suitable seating positions and anchorage arrangements rather than judging suitability from cabin size alone.
Your phone is useful for more than taking photos. With permission, test the features you expect to use, such as Bluetooth calling or smartphone integration.
Bring your usual charging cable and check compatibility with the vehicle’s connections. Do not assume a USB port supports every function or that a touchscreen automatically includes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Spend a moment using the controls while parked. Think about whether the screen is readable, the menus make sense and the main controls are within comfortable reach.
After viewing a few vehicles, details can start to blur together. Use your phone or a notebook to record what stood out immediately after each inspection.
Keep the same headings for every car:
These notes give you something concrete to revisit once you are home and considering your options.
Give yourself enough time to inspect the car, review the available records and take an agreed test drive. A rushed visit can make it harder to notice details or think through your questions.
Your own inspection helps you assess comfort and suitability, but it cannot establish the condition of every mechanical component. Ask about arranging an independent pre-purchase inspection if you would like a professional assessment before deciding.
Preparation helps turn a viewing into a useful comparison. With your questions, measurements and everyday needs in mind, you can focus on finding a vehicle that works for you.
Browse the used cars available at Car Matars to build your shortlist, then contact our team to confirm availability and arrange an inspection.
