Today – What to look for when buying a second-hand car
Buying a second-hand car always makes sense financially but it really can fill people with trepidation. We worry that we won’t know what to look for when buying a second-hand car and that we will waste our money. I know that’s how I generally feel – but I do have a few tips and tricks for you if you are in the market for a new- to- you car. I hope you find these helpful.
What to look for when buying a second-hand car
Research how long a car has been on the market
If the car has been on the market a long time the likelihood is it is overpriced or in real life, it just doesn’t match up to its description. It may be wise to stay well clear.
Look for marks
If there are a lot of bumps and dents and scratches on the car it may indicate one of two things. Firstly it may indicate that the driver has not been careful and the car has not been well looked after by that driver. This could indicate deeper problems. Secondly, these marks could indicate the car has been in an accident and this could be significant and there may be more internal damage you need to know about.
Mileage
Mileage matters – and this should be one of your first considerations. You dont want to take on a car with too many miles under its belt no matter how lovely.
Tyres
Check /ask when the tyres were last replaced and do look at their quality. Replacing a full set of tyres is expensive and you need to take this into accounting when looking at the car cost.
Make sure you reseller is trustworthy
Buying form a stranger and getting a good deal may sound fine on paper but what if you have post-sale problems? A solid dreputable dealer is very desirable and can really help you avoid post-sale issues. Their reputation, after all, is important to them. You will also be able to read up reviews of their servcies. KAP Motors offer a wide range of used cars in Brighton and for me would be a preffered choice over buying from an individual you know nothing about.
Think about longer terms costs
Don’t get swayed by a great deal on a big car, you need to take the long view. You have to consider petrol costs and insurance costs when you are weighing up whether or not to purchase a second-hand car.
Test everything
Test the lights, the brakes, how easily the boot opens, indicators and the radio as well as all seat belts. You want to have no nasty surprises.
Consider taking along a knowledgeable friend who knows what to look for when buying a second-hand car
There is no shame at all in taking a long a friend who knows much more about cars than you for a second opinion and for a quality check. This is a big purchase and you want to get it right.
Buy yourself some time
It can be tempting with second-hand cars to feel if you don’t snap the one you like up someone else will but do buy yourself some breathing space to really think things over – even if you just fog and have a cup of tea at a cafe down the road.
Always take it for a test drive.
Even if a car looks like it is right for you it may not FEEL right and this is really important. Take it for a test drive to see how it runs but also to feel if it suits you.
Over to you for your thoughts on What to look for when buying a second-hand car
So there you go, a little checklist of what to look for when buying a second-hand car. I do hope you have found it useful and I would love to know what you would add to this list?
What to look for when buying a second-hand car is a collaborative post