Top Tips For Buying A Used Car

Whether you have just passed your test or are looking to update your current car, the majority of us will opt for a used car. Not matter your motoring experience, buying a used car can be a minefield, potentially leaving you ripped off at the end of it. At Cox Motor Parts, one of the UK’s leading Honda parts dealers we want to make sure you get your money’s worth when buying a used car, and have put together this handy list of things to remember when buying.

Do your homework

Whether its you’re in the market for your first car or your fifth car, you will have a rough budget in mind. Because of this it can be tempting to jump at the first opportunity to buy a decent looking car when you find one in your price range, but this can be a mistake.

That price might not reflect the cars worth, but you won’t be aware of this because you haven’t done your research. Make sure before you even step foot out onto a garage forecourt that you spend time researching what is generally available your price, so you can spot a dodgy deal a mile off.

If you have a particular model in mind, then do a background check on it. There are plenty of cars out their which have manufacture faults and might be due recalls or may be potentially dangerous (thats why someone is selling it) or make sure you look into every detail of that particular model before committing any cash.

Contacting the seller

So you have found a car you are interested in, and the seller is one individual selling via a trading site or perhaps even a newspaper ad. Before calling them you should prepare a number of questions. You can save a lot of time asking the questions on the phone instead of asking them once you view the car. Dependent on what you have already know, you should ask about:

• Mileage
• Age of car
• Service history and log book  (and ask for proof at the following meeting)
• Any previous problems
• How many previous owners
• If it has been previously written off
• Spare wheel
• If you can have a test drive and search the car at the meeting.

It is also important to meet the person at the address the car is registered to narrow the chances that the car has been stolen.

Meeting the seller

At the meeting it gives you a chance to ask all the extra questions you couldn’t cover over the phone, like seeing the log book or the service history. It also gives you an opportunity to see the car up close, so don’t waste this opportunity, scan the whole exterior and interior for any falsities, bumps and scratches.

There is also the most important opportunity and that is to ask for a test drive. Having the chance to drive the car could make your mind up entirely, for example if it drives like a shopping trolley you might want to reconsider your options. 

Don’t get pressured into anything

While this seems a bit obvious, there are plenty of buyers who are too polite or innocent at the buying stage and end up shaking hands on a deal that isn’t right for them. Before you commit to anything make sure you have hacked out every possible part of the deal, the exact cost and what you are getting for your money.

Just because the seller seems nice, or they have a partly interesting story to tell when you go to make the deal, doesn’t mean you can’t be vigorous when looking around, nor do you have to settle for this car Sometimes you just have to concede it isn’t the right car for you, so don’t allow the person to make you feel bad for walking away, at the end of the day buying as car is an entirely selfish thing, so allow it to be.

Hopefully after reading this list you will be better informed and more comfortable with the idea of buying a used car. Understanding this procedure will mean you aren’t going to get ripped off any time soon and you can enjoy your new car safe in the knowledge you paid the right price.