Buying a used car should be a straight forward transaction, but the used car industry, arguably, has an unfortunate reputation, so it's best to proceed with caution.
You can minimise the risk by doing as much homework as possible before making your purchase.
Find out what the typical price range is of the type car you want to buy. Phone a couple of used car dealerships, or go online to get an idea of what you're in for. Check out Parker's car guide for a start.
This will help you decide on your budget; before you start speaking to any seller it will really help to know how much you can afford to spend. Remember to factor in insurance, road tax and other running costs.
If you need to apply for a loan, start shopping around for a good deal. Don't just look at the headline rate, look at how much it would cost you per month and over the full term. Speak to a trusted source or financial expert for help.
Ask around your family and friends; find out where they bought their used cars and what their experience was during the purchase. A word of mouth reference is very valuable and can save you a lot of time, but it's still worth checking out the credentials of the dealership. Many dealers take the time to register with the Office of Fair Trading Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, the British Standard Institute (BSI) Automotive Kite mark or the Retail Motor Industry Federation.
There are several places to find used cars. One of the most convenient is a used car dealership where you can view a number of used cars and take a car for a test drive.
A popular place to start is the magazine, Auto Trader. It's the biggest market place in print for new and used cars, bikes, vans, trucks and caravans, and the online version regularly carries details of more than 350,000 vehicles for sale.
Nowadays you can also view and buy a used car without leaving your couch. Websites such as ConsumerGuide.com is a good place to start looking.
And check out the classifieds in the print and online media.
Don't be intimidated by sales people! Remember that it is your money that is being spent so find out all the information you can about the car, anything that will make you feel more comfortable about the purchase. Start your fact finding with these key questions:
You've found a car that you love but before you sign anything, have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic. It's also possible to run a Vehicle History Report to get a full history of the car - Tesco Car Checker could help.
It will be helpful if you already have your own financing and loan approvals before you buy the car. Speak to one of our consultants for help.
Keep these tips in mind when you are searching for a car and it should go smoothly. Remember the most important factor in your search is information. The more you have, the easier your search should be.
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