What should I be looking out for when picking up used on from dealer next week any tip much appreciated
Assuming you've already signed the papers and committed to the purchase, then basically you're looking for any potential problems that might not be covered by warranty.
Look carefully for any chipped paint, tears in the upholstery and other superficial damage; you'll have no comeback on any of these once you've driven off the forecourt (this applies to new car purchases too).
Check all the glass on the car for cracks and significant chips. Include the light lenses in this check (and yes, I know that technically they're plastic, not glass). If your model has a glass roof, pay particular attention to this, as any problems here will likely not be covered by the glass protection on your insurance, and an OEM replacement will cost you £1000+.
Another important check is to make sure that you have both keys (one remote, one non-remote)
and that both keys will start the car; the immobiliser chips inside the keys have been known to fail. Many used car purchase contracts state that only one working key will be supplied, and replacements are not cheap. Make sure also that you have the handbook and service documents.
It may help you to inspect the car if you have a check sheet. At the end of this post, I've attached an example, which also includes a guide on some additional things to look out for.
Check oil and coolant levels; the dealer should have done this already, but it's wise to double check, and you can ask the dealer if you are in any way uncertain about what you should be looking for.
If you've not owned a 500 before, get them to demonstrate how to unlock the petrol cap, or your first visit to a filling station could prove interesting. It's not that difficult, but you definitely need to know the correct procedure.
Take it for a test drive. Look out particularly for any warning lights which come on when they shouldn't. The mileage display on the odometer should be steady and not flashing. Clutch, brakes and gears should all operate smoothly.
Sometime soon, read the supplementary information in the handbook about the precautions you need to take if jump starting the car, or charging the battery. Getting this wrong on a S/S car can cause permanent damage to the intelligent battery sensor.
Finally, enjoy your new purchase - and remember that we always like to see pictures here.
