Here are some things every buyer should do before purchasing a used car
You will be saving yourself a lot of money if you plan everything before you buy a used car. Without prior knowledge, you cannot make the right purchase. There are lots of people who end up buying the wrong car because they check a few important things before finalizing the deal. We bring you top 10 things that you must check before actually buying second hand cars UK:
Know what a fair price means
Instead of agreeing with the price of the used car, you must know what price the market is offering for that particular vehicle. Fortunately, there are plenty of sites that let you check the price by entering some details such as the mileage, or whether you are buying from a dealer or a private seller. This gives you an average price of the car you are interested in buying.
Check the reviews of the car
Don’t just buy whatever the seller says. You have to do your own research about the car too. Look for the reviews of people who have actually driven the car you are interested to buy. They will tell you the flaws, maintenance tips and everything you need to know if you wish to keep it for a long time.
Check the vehicle’s history report
Ask the seller to give you the vehicle identification number and get its report. It will reveal all the information you need to know about the car such as any accidents it was involved in or if it has salvage title etc. You can also ask the buyer to provide the service records. If you want good advice, then don’t buy a car that was involved in a serious accident.
Inspect the car yourself
You must physically inspect the car too. Take your time and look for signs of rusts, interior and exterior damage or any other kind of wear and tear. It is your right to know everything about the condition of the car. There is no need to purchase a car that requires major repairs such as rebuilding the transmission or engine overhaul.
Get the car inspected by a mechanic
If you are not good at identifying the flaws in the car, no problem, there are professionals available to do that for us. Just ask a mechanic to check the car. It may require you to spend £ 70 to £ 100 for the pre-purchase inspection but every bit of money you are spending here is worth it because it will save you from spending thousands on major repairs in the long run.
See if there is any warranty left
If the car’s warranty is still active, then see if it can be transferred to you. You can land on such used cars too that only are a couple of years sold, have low mileage and still have their warranty.
Meet the seller and ask a few questions
Since you are buying the used car, you must properly inquire everything about it. Prepare a list of questions to ask the seller of second hand cars UK. Here are some:
1. Why are you selling the car?
2. How regularly did you drive it?
3. What were the things that bothered you about this car?
Go for a test drive
Do not ever buy a used car without going for a test drive. Talking to the owner or getting the car inspected can surely reveal a lot of information but nothing beats the fact that you can figure out a lot about the car by actually driving it on the road. It is recommended to take it on the road you are familiar with because your focus should be on the driving experience. You need to know how the car performs on ramps and when you are going on high speed. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take it on a highway. Don’t listen to the radio while you are driving because you need your ears to search for potential squeaks and rattles. If the seller allows, then take the car on a longer test drive. This will let you know if you are comfortable sitting in the car for long. Compare this ride with your current vehicle. If you are happy with everything, then you have found the right car.
There is no doubt that you are going to find lots of second hand cars UK but if you consider these things, it will be easier for you to pick the best deal.