If you are allergic to moulds or house dust mites, you should take care if buying a car secondhand. If a car appears very dusty and damp, or smells fusty, it will probably have house dust mites and moulds. You may be better buying a new car or one of more recent date.

If you are allergic to pets and animals, and buying a secondhand car, check with the owner whether any animals (or people in close contact with them) have travelled regularly in the car, even if the owner does not have pets. (Even traces from clothes, or from the rear of a car can upset the very sensitive.) Look for traces of pet hair, often difficult to remove.

If you are sensitive to tobacco smoke residues, check when buying a car secondhand whether anyone has ever smoked in the car. A good tip is to look in all of the ashtrays – these are virtually impossible to clear of smells and ash. You will be able to detect any traces of smokers from the ashtrays even if the owner or dealer cannot say whether the car has been exposed to smoke. When you travel by taxi, ask for a non-smoking taxi.

If you are very sensitive to chemical cleaners and air fresheners, sniff the car carefully to see if any strong agents have been used. Fumes from air fresheners – often stuck to the dashboard, in or under the glove compartment – take a very long time to wear off: avoid a car which has had these recently, if you can. If you buy privately, rather than from a dealer, it is often easier to find out what has or has not been applied to the car. This applies also to recent repairs, rust-proofing or service treatments as well.

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