5 ‘must do’ things to do when buying a used car.

Whatever you choose to buy, here are some general tips on buying a used car.

 

1.

Budget carefully

Get insurance quotes and check car tax rates before signing on the bottom line, and remember to factor in the cost of any work that might be needed too.

If you’re going to borrow money to buy the car it’s a good idea to get loan quotes before you go out to view any cars.  That way you’ll know what you can afford and will be able to tell whether any finance a dealer offers you is good value or not.

 

2.

Do your homework

Check price guides and compare similar cars in the classifieds so you know as much as you can about the value of different cars to avoid being overcharged.

Websites like www.honestjohn.co.uk  and model-specific forum sites can be a useful source of information on ‘common’ faults and ‘what to look for’ tips but bear in mind that the few who’ve had a poor experience are likely to be more outspoken than satisfied customers.

 

3.

Don’t view a car in the rain, in poor light or at night

You won’t be able to check the condition of the car properly if it’s wet – water hides scratches, dents and other problems. Make sure you can see the vehicle clearly and from all angles.

 

4.

Ask about service history

Most cars require some work during the year so the owners of a car a few years old should have amassed quite a sheaf of garage bills for work or parts as well as previous MOT certificates, and records of regular servicing.

• If there’s no history then ask why
• Does it look like there might be a persistent fault that still may not have been fixed?
• Does the history tell a consistent story

 

5.

Check for outstanding finance

Buying, leasing or hiring a car on finance is more popular than it’s ever been.  This means that a large proportion of vehicles on the road are actually owned by finance providers until their customers, the driver or keeper, pay off the finance agreement in full.

If you buy from someone who’s not paid off their finance agreement, the finance provider could recover the car, potentially leaving you out of pocket and without a car.

This makes it more important than ever to carry out a Car Data Check, particularly if you’re buying from a private seller or online auction/advertising site.  Most reputable dealers will have carried out a vehicle check before putting the car on the forecourt, but we’d advise you to check with the dealer that it’s been done.