11 tips for buying a used car
Buying a used car? Make sure you check out these top tips first...
If you're looking to buy a car, why waste money on a sparkly new one? Instead, have you considered purchasing one that's second (or third) hand?
Buying a used car can be a great way to save a few pennies. Not only are you likely to pay less for it, but you're also safe in the knowledge that you've avoided the worst of the car's depreciation - as new cars lose a lot of their value in the first few years.
Sounds pretty good, right?
Unfortunately, however, buying a used car doesn't come without its risks. So here are 11 top tips* for buying a used car:
Meeting places
I'm always spotting advertisements in car windows and sometimes they look like really great deals. So it can be pretty tempting to simply ring up about an advert you've seen and buy the car privately. But if you're going to do this, be careful.
You need to be extra wary if the seller only uses a mobile phone number or wants to meet you somewhere other than his/her house or business.
If the seller suggests you meet in a public place, such as a supermarket car park, don't go. Thieves often use these areas to offload stolen cars as they would be untraceable once the sale has gone through.
It's also a good idea to meet in daylight and take a friend with you.
Price tag
If the car is advertised at what appears to be a ridiculously good price, alarm bells should start to ring. This could mean there's something wrong with the car, or it's stolen, or it doesn't belong to the person trying to sell it. It's a good idea to check out Auto Trader and Parkers to get an idea of what the asking price should be.
Check the documents
Always ask to see the car's V5 registration document, MOT and full service history. Also check the car's Vehicle Identification Number (the unique serial number used to identify individual vehicles) to ensure it matches the V5 document. If the numbers don't match, or look like they've been tampered with, walk away.
Examine the evidence
Closely check bumpers, lights and fixings to see whether there's any sign of damage or misalignment - indicating previous damage.
Also check the colour of each car panel to see if they match exactly. If they don't, previous repairs may have been carried out. It's also a good idea to check for uneven body panels as this could also indicate previous damage and/or bad repairs.
Check the tyres
Examine all of the tyres and check the car has a spare. Look for a deep tread pattern that's consistent across the tyre. If the tread is worn more on one side of the tyre than the other, it can be a sign that the steering or suspension is misaligned.
Check inside
No matter how clean and sparkly the car is on the outside, make sure you check the inside too. Have a sniff around - are there any damp or musty smells? If so, this could have been caused by a water leak. Check the carpets are dry and there are no signs of condensation on the windows.
Check for modifications
If the previous owner has modified the car in any way, be wary as this could affect your car insurance costs. If alloy wheels and spoilers have been added to your car, or the engine size has been increased, your car insurance premium is likely to be much higher.
And if the car has been modified excessively, this could even void your insurance policy. So if the car has been tinkered with, you're probably better off walking away.
Try out the gadgets
Make sure you test out all of the vehicle's gadgets, including windows, the heater, gauges and instruments, radio, horn, and lights. Check for signs of clocking - in other words, cars that have had their mileage reduced on the odometer. Does the wear and tear on the steering wheel, gear stick and pedals match up to the mileage recorded? If they are heavily worn, this indicates the car has been driven for a long time.
Take it for a test drive
If you're properly insured, take the car for a spin to check for any problems. Listen for strange sounds, and check the brakes are smooth and the gears slot into place easily. Also check the steering doesn't pull and keep an eye out for smoke!
HPI check
It's also a good idea to see whether the car has an outstanding hire purchase agreement on it. Carrying out an HPI check on a website such as HPI allows you to check the car's hidden history so you can see whether the car still belongs to a finance house, or if it has been written-off or stolen.
The downside is that you will have to pay for this - usually around £20. But it is still worth doing.
Get an independent inspection
For peace of mind, get an independent inspection from an organisation such as the RAC to see whether there are any mechanical problems you haven't spotted. They will also be able to give you advice if there are any issues. Again, this will cost you, but if you're worried, it's certainly worth paying for.
So if you're off to buy a used car in the coming weeks, make sure you follow these top tips to ensure you don't end up with a dodgy deal! Good luck!
*Thanks to esure for some of these tips.
More: 12 tips to drive down your car insurance costs | Five ways to cut the cost of car hire
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Comments
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Yesterday I signed contracts for a second hand car from a main dealer that I am due to pick up on Monday. However, I expressed doubts yesterday and have since changed my mind. What are my rights to cancel or change to another car from them ?? Is there a cooling off period applicable to this - particularly as I do not actually exchange cars until Monday ?
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I once 'Part Exchanged' to a dealer an Austin Allegro that I had stupidly used to launch a small boat on the beach at the seaside resulting in it being bogged down & lost under the incoming tide [Completely Submerged] When it was retrieved after the tide went out we worked hard on it for a week, many electrics needed replacement but it ran quite well [after five oil changes] Curiously we used to see it driving about about the seaside town were we lived for many years. The car we had before that was a VW Beetle, [Reputed to float!!] I have NEVER had a car on the beach since, nor bought a second hand car!!
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Larger dealers with sizeable premises are usually best, more choice, range of prices, less chance of being swindled! Secondhand models higher up the specification range are often not much pricier than basic spec models, and may offer substantial benefits. It is pointless trying to haggle over both the used vehicle price and the trade-in price. Dealers will have set their margins, so just try to bargain on one, depending on the condition of your trade-in vehicle. It may be worth buying as 'new' a vehicle as you can reasonably afford. Over the years I've had some remarkably good deals on vehicles less than one year old. And DO check a good range of dealers. It's surprising how much prices can vary from one dealer to another. Some dealers are remarkably expensive unless they offer 'bigger' discounts when pressed, which though may seem more generous, you will probably get a similar deal elsewhere. If unhappy with their 'final offer or final buying price', go elsewhere! Its always worth asking what their absolute best deal is? Make sure they give you at least a three month warranty though they 'may' only cover major items! Paid warranties for a year or more are commonly offered or insisted upon, find out first before signing on the dotted line. The expense of a paid warranty (and they are expensive) might be worth it for a more expensive or foreign make vehicle, probably not so for a cheaper vehicle from a major UK or French eg Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Peugot where parts are quite cheap comparatively. Take the vehicle back for attention at their workshops at the first sign of trouble or if you are suspicious about any noises, rattles or functions/ functionality. If you buy on credit, check their terms (and APR) carefully, you may be able to get a loan cheaper from your bank, but be very wary of hire purchase companies as their 'typical APR' may only be available to select, very high credit rating customers. A bank loan will not be secured on the vehicle, which means it won't be repossessed if you get behind with payments!
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25 May 2012