Before Buying A Used Car
A very important first step is to decide what to buy. You can start by determining your budget and listing down what you are looking for in an automobile. How much space do you need? Is fuel economy important to you? Do you like driving around in a prestigious brand? Remember to differentiate your needs and wants. If you don’t consider all the factors carefully, you might start out thinking about a three-door hatchback and end up driving home in a large 4×4 SUV.
Where should you buy a used car? That will depend on how much effort you are willing to give. Generally, you can expect to find better prices if you work hard for it. The least hassle will be from dealers. Franchised dealers will have the newer cars and the highest prices. Independent dealers will probably have slightly older models and will give you more room to haggle. Car supermarkets usually have a lot of stock but it will mostly be mainstream models. Now if you’ve really done your homework and know exactly what you want, buying from an auction might get you the best deal. Lastly, buying privately should technically give you the lowest prices but this is where you have to be the most careful and most well informed
When is the best time to go shopping for a used car? Typically summer weather would be ideal to allow you to get a good look at used cars. New number plate registrations come out in March and September so this is the time when people trade-in their old cars to buy a new one. Therefore, mid-March or mid-September can bring out some good bargains and last until the next month or so. Dealers might also be giving out better offers towards the end of each month in order to boost their monthly sales figure.
The less reliable the used car source, the more careful you have to be in checking the paperwork. The V5 Vehicle Registration should be current and accurate. Service history booklet should be there. If you encounter a dealer or seller who isn’t very helpful in providing you with these documents, walk away. If any of the documents are doubtful, walk away.
And finally, you have to check the car. Nice and shiny might just be too nice and shiny. Inspect the bodywork to see if there are dents, scratches or rust. Look for signs of repair including under the boot and bonnet. Go inside to look and even smell the interior. Make sure the seats and carpet are dry and have no stains which might indicate a leak. Check all the controls, displays and switches. Test drive the car so you can listen to the engine and for other noises.