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- A FRIENDLY MECHANIC
Someone who knows more about the workings of the automobile than you do is worth his or her weight in used fivers. You should at least go with a trusted friend who'll supply support and hopefully an unbiased second opinion on the lurid green paintwork.
- A USED CAR PRICE GUIDE
Many at the auction will use 'little black books' like CAP These are available only to bona-fide car dealers. You'll have to use those from the newsagents, Parkers for instance. They're accurate in general, but rely on them only to reinforce your own judgment.
- OLD CLOTHES
You can get very grubby crawling around checking under oily, soily cars.
- A POWERFUL TORCH
Even on sunny days deep shadows can be cast under cars, hiding much evil.
- A TOW ROPE
We all hope we won't need one, but it's better to be prepared. Make sure it will be up to the job, not just a bit of old clothesline.
- A BAG OF TOOLS
The more the merrier. At least take screwdrivers, spanners, spark-plug socket and wheel brace.
- A JACK
Trolley, bottle or 'scissors' type will work on any car. This is for when you buy a car without one and have a puncture on the way home, not for inspecting the underside of the car. NEVER
GET UNDER A CAR SUPPORTED ONLY BY A JACK.
- ESSENTIAL FLUIDS
A gallon of petrol, water, multigrade engine oil, radiator sealant and universal hydraulic fluid should see you through any eventualities.
- A CAN OF 'TYRE WELD'
Spare tyres in auction cars are often deflated, punctured or non-existent.
- A SMALL MAGNET
This will reveal large amounts of non-magnetic body filler, which some people use to expert effect to conceal accident damage.
- A COMPRESSION TESTER
Not what some would regard as essential, but if you buy a car 'With a Trial' this handy gauge will give you an idea of the state of the engine.
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