When searching for a new car follow these handy shopping hints to help you narrow down your list of potential vehicles to buy.

Avoid looking at cars soon after a wet period as rain can temporarily quieten some of the normal squeaks and rattles. Never look at a car at night and decide to buy it, because you need the light of day to detect the telltale signs of smash repairs. A car that has been in a smash could still be a good buy provided the repair work has been done properly; but you need expert advice on that.

The distance a car has been driven is not necessarily an indication of its mechanical condition. A car that has been driven sensibly for 90,000 km could be in better condition than another car of the same model that has been misused and abused for 60,000 km.

Although it's best to get an RACQ inspection of the car before you buy, there are many things you can check for while looking around. For RACQ vehicle inspection locations please click here

Jack and wheel brace
Is there a jack and matching wheel brace? Is it right for that car? Does it work properly?

Rust
Look for obvious signs of rust. Check along the bottoms of doors, under sealing rubbers and beneath the spare wheel in the boot. Always remember, it takes an expert to check for rust that may not be obvious.

Tyres
Make sure all tyres, including the spare, match. Uneven wear could indicate suspension or alignment problems. Cars manufactured after 1973 should have a placard stating the correct tyres for the vehicle and this is usually found on the doorframe, inside the glove box, or on the radiator support panel.

Interior
Is the trim clean and in good condition? Is the seat springing satisfactory? Do the seats adjust properly? Are the seat belts in good condition and do the retractors work smoothly?

Openings
Do the doors, bonnet and boot open, close and lock properly? Make sure window winders operate smoothly.

Compliance Plates
Vehicles manufactured after January 1972 should have a compliance plate, easily visible, and usually in the engine compartment. Most passenger vehicles made after the early 1980s have a "built date plate" which gives the year of manufacture. In the absence of this plate, a date on a compliance plate may be used as a guide.

If the plate is not there, or appears to have been tampered with, be suspicious and ask why. Check the answers with police or registration authority.

Crash Damage
Look along a car's contours for ripples or unevenness that could indicate smash damage repairs.

Numbers
Check that the registration and engine numbers are the same as shown on the registration certificate. If not, be very suspicious.

Wipers
Check that windscreen washers and wipers work properly.

Electrical
Check the parking lights, turn indicators, tail lights, stop lights, hazard lights, horn and the number plate light. Check headlights on low and high beam. At the same time, check that all dials on the dash light up. Does the courtesy light work when a door is opened?

Winding back the clock
Determining whether a car's odometer has been wound back can be difficult even for experts. Be suspicious if an indicated low mileage doesn't match the heavy wear and tear on the driver's seat upholstery, pedal rubbers and carpet.