Top Tips For Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can seem like a minefield for the uninitiated. There is so much to remember and if you don’t know a lot about cars it can seem like an impossible challenge. Follow these top tips though and you should be able to approach the task with confidence.

1. Get help
   Don’t feel you have to go it alone. If you have a friend who is a mechanic or a car enthusiast, then take them along with you. This is a major purchase, so use all the help you can get. If you don’t know anyone who fits the bill, you can arrange for an independent inspection by a motoring club or association. The money you spend could save you thousands in car repairs in the future.
2. Avoid rainy days
   Avoid inspecting cars on rainy days or in poor light. Both will obscure defects in the paint, which may indicate previous damage to the vehicle.
3. Budget properly
   Before you start looking, make a clear budget including running costs registration and insurance. If you do this in advance you will be less likely to be persuaded to buy something you can’t really afford.
4. Research
   Spend some time researching used car advertisements online and in the press, so that you have a good idea of the standard cost of the types of vehicle you might be interested in.
5. Be cynical
   You are looking for the best deal possible, but beware of anything that seems too good to be true. Far better to pay a fair price for a reliable car, than get what you think is the bargain of the century only to discover that it is anything but.
6. Check the car’s history
   Regardless of how trustworthy the seller seems to be it is sensible to check the vehicle’s history out independently. Get the car’s VIN number and check it against the database in the state where it is registered. This will flag up problems such as whether the car has been stolen or previously written off.
7. Ask questions
   Ask plenty of questions, such as ‘How long have you owned the vehicle? ‘Does it have a full car service history?’ ‘How many owners has the car had?’ ‘Why are you selling it?’ ‘Has it ever been involved in an accident?’ and so on. Ask as many as you can think of. You have a right to know.
8. Take a test drive
   Always test drive the vehicle. Check the steering by turning the wheel fully in both directions before you set off. There should be no strange noises. Test the handbrake by seeing if it holds you back when you try to move off gently. Take the car for as varied a drive as possible, on different road surfaces and at different speeds. Try to test all the gears; are the changes smooth?
9. Go to the owner’s home address
   If you are buying from an independent seller, insist on viewing the vehicle at their home address. This will allow you to check whether it matches the address where the car is registered.
10. Negotiate
    Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Make a list of any faults you find with the car that would affect its value. Let the owner know that you are taking them into account. Ask them for their best price and then offer something slightly lower. The worst that will happen is that they say no, and you can then offer more if you want.

2 comments

1. Mechanic Rancho Penasquitos says:

   In my view if you are interested in a specific make and model then you can research your car online since doing this you will get a good idea of a reasonable price for the car and servicing from a local mechanic.

   March 12th, 2019 at 5:05 pm

2. salem says:

   Tips you should remember before buying a used car.
   1. you should do some research about the car’s model and criteria you need.
   2. there are plenty of automotive companies in your locality that offer free consult in case of selling and buying a car. because they have enough experience and will guide you in the right way.
   3. ask your friends who have enough experience to help you find the right used car.
   4. Nowadays everything has changed into an internet base and researching online would be beneficial as ever.
   5. you might check all cars in detail before purchasing.
   these was may opinion which I think would be beneficial for you as well.

   June 15th, 2020 at 4:45 pm