A three-year-old European car has taken its biggest depreciation hit and still has years of life in it. The trick is separating a well-kept example from one that's been run on a shoestring.
1. Service history, stamped and complete
Ask for the logbook and every invoice. Gaps aren't automatically a deal-breaker, but they should be explained. On a German car especially, you want to see the major services done on time.
2. A cold start
Always start the car from cold. Listen for rattles that settle after a few seconds (timing chain, tensioners) and watch for smoke. A warm car hides a lot.
3. Electronics, every one of them
Windows, seats, screen, cameras, sensors, sunroof, boot. Prestige cars have more to go wrong and the parts aren't cheap.
4. Tyres and brakes
Matching tyres with even wear is a good sign the car's been looked after. Uneven wear points to alignment or suspension issues.
5. A PPSR check
Confirms there's no money owing and the car isn't a repairable write-off. We run one on every car and will do the same for anything you're looking at elsewhere.
Every car in our range has been through this and more. If something needed doing, it's been done before we advertised it.