Buying a used car could save you a fortune over the equivalent brand new model, but there are risks involved too.
A great amount of care needs to be taken to ensure you make the right purchase and aren't sold something that could come back to haunt you.
This video offers all the help you need to help you buy with confidence and cover every step of the car-buying journey from choosing where to buy from to what to check when you view the car to how to handle negotiations etc.
However; please note I am not an expert in this field and all the contents in this video are from my experience only.
Where to buy from?
If you’re nervous about buying a secondhand car, a dealer or trader is an easier place to start as buying privately often requires more car knowledge.
Firstly, let's understand what the concept of a trader means, as it can vary dramatically
A trader is defined as a person acting for purposes relating to that person’s trade, business, craft, or profession, meaning they can range from a single person buying and selling cars on their driveway to a franchised dealer selling new and nearly-new cars.
The difference between these traders is the level of preparation and aftersales support you will get and also the cost you will have to pay for these premiums - the bigger the business, the more resource they have, but also the more overheads they have to pay too, which will bump up your costs.
Things to consider:
A main dealer or garage is likely to have put a used car through a rigorous inspection and offered a good warranty (usually six or 12 months).
While this will come at a price - increasing the outright cost of buying the car - it can offer you priceless peace of mind in knowing the car has been thoroughly checked out and is covered by a warranty.
Buying from a driveway trader could save you these higher upfront costs, but may prove to be a false economy as the car could end up costing you more in repairs - it's likely this person has done little more than giving the car a quick wash after picking it up from auction, remember.
While all traders legally have to comply with the Consumer Rights Act - meaning you may be entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund if the vehicle is deemed not ‘fit for purpose’ or ‘of satisfactory quality’ - acting on this could prove to be a headache if the seller is unscrupulous.
You may have to act fast as your right to reject the vehicle and claim a full refund because of a fault is usually restricted to the first 30 days and what you’re entitled to vary following the expiration of this date.
It is also worth noting that under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1988, no person can sell a motor vehicle or trailer in an unroadworthy condition, you can read more about that in our buyer's rights section.
The advantage of independent garages is they often care about their reputation, and a search online can reveal how happy previous customers are.
Be cautious, though, some won’t necessarily have done a great deal of work to prepare cars for sale, and be sure to read the terms and conditions of any warranty they offer - they’re not always worth the paper they’re written on.
If you’re on a budget, buying a secondhand car privately can prove to be a much cheaper option than visiting a dealer, but is it the best thing to do?
Pros
Secondhand cars are usually priced much more cheaply when sold privately than at a dealership and there’s often more room for negotiating as the seller isn’t attempting to make a profit
Buying privately offers a great opportunity to meet the previous owner of the car and get a feel for how well it’s been looked after.
Cons
Some sellers overvalue their cars, and it’s not unusual to find people asking for similar money for their pride and joy to what it might cost at a dealer, these sellers will usually bring their price down, but it could be a bit of a waiting game
Cars sold privately won’t have been through a rigorous vehicle health check, like the ones sold at a dealership will have been, meaning you will have to be a lot more switched on with the checks you carry out when you inspect and test drive the car.
Car checks before buying a used car:
1. Tyres
2. Dents and scratches
3. Panel gaps
4. Fluid levels
5. Under the oil cap
6. Electrics
7. Glass
8. Upholstery
9. Spare wheel and accessories
10. Wear and tear
Accident damage checks for used cars
Documents check for used cars
MOT and service history checks for used cars
Used car history check
Source of information:
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