I'm a motoring expert - used car buyers must check 1 thing to expose secret past

Motorists on the lookout for second hand used cars could be unaware of one vital tip to avoid being ripped off in seconds. The car's odometer will show how many miles the petrol,diesel or electric vehicle has completed in its lifetime with high use over a short lifespan, hinting at a secret past.

Taxis may be perfect for nights out or trips to the airport, but experts have warned road users could run the risk of accidentally buying one if they aren't too careful. Matas Buzelis, a motoring expert at car history platform carVertical stressed that checking mileage before finalising a deal was still "absolutely critical".

Matas said: "Verifying the mileage is absolutely critical when buying a used car because mileage is still one of the best indicators of long-term reliability. If it is far above average for its age, you need to know why, and who has been driving it."

Taxis are driven for long hours almost daily, leading to accelerated wear and tear on key components. Buyers may find that vital parts such as the engine, clutch, and suspension will wear out a lot earlier, with ex-taxis also likely to suffer from higher insurance costs.

However, upfront costs are much lower, creating a hazardous situation for buyers who think they are getting a good deal despite the risks.

Matas explained: "Taxis accumulate mileage very quickly - often three to four times more than typical privately owned vehicles. Idling for long periods also stops the engine from reaching optimal temperatures, causing carbon buildup in the combustion chambers. When you are looking at newer cars doing 20,000 to 30,000 miles per year, especially those commonly used for private hire, that is a strong signal of commercial use."

Some sellers can manipulate odometers on purpose to disguise a car's true life and distance. This practice is known as 'clocking' and is against the rules, but may not stop some unscrupulous sellers from taking advantage of innocent buyers.

AA Cars explained that former taxis can still be good buys, with some coming with a full inspection and service record. However, Kundan Bhaduri, a London entrepreneur from The Kushman Group stressed that buying former taxis was unlikely to be a good idea.

He said: "Buying an ex taxi is like picking up a buy-to-let property that has housed 20 different tenants in only five years. The mechanical wear is inevitable. However, licensed taxis undergo regular inspections that private cars avoid."