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When you buy a used car rather than a brand new one you are making a smart financial decision. Brand new cars depreciate in value the minute they are driven off the forecourt and for anyone concerned with what they spend their hard earned cash on, you would be better to wait and buy a model that is a couple of years old as you will get much more for your money.
However, buying a used car doesn’t come without it’s challenges and potential pitfalls meaning it can be a scary prospect for anyone who isn’t a car mechanic! You want to avoid looking like a complete novice at the car garage but how do you know what defects to look for in order to avoid making a very costly mistake?
For anyone about to purchase a ‘new to you’ car from either a private seller or garage, take a look at the following guidelines to avoid inheriting a money drain:
Stick to a budget
Before even thinking about which car to buy, you need to know how much you have to spend. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have a car to sell
- Will you be taking out car finance
- How much do you have available each month to cover fuel
In addition, you must remember to factor in the cost of insurance; it would be silly to purchase a car at the top end of your budget, only to realise your insurance premiums will financially cripple you. Take five minutes to perform a quick check on an insurance comparison site like Captain Compare for a range of vehicles.
Research for the ‘right’ car
The next step to take in this process is to spend a little time researching the right car for you and your needs. Think about what you’ll be using the car for and work out your priorities from there.
For example, if the vehicle will be used every day by just you to commute a short journey to work and back, then a small, fuel efficient model will be perfect for your needs. If you have a young and growing family an MPV or larger car with space for baby seats and room in the trunk for a buggy will be your focus; WhatCar have broken down a list of the best MPV’s ideal for your family.
Check the vehicles history
Once you have established the perfect car for your needs and have found a potential contender, do not be tempted into handing over your hard earned cash before doing a little research into the vehicles history.
You’ll need to know whether the vehicle has any outstanding finance on it that you could become liable for if you purchase the car. You should also be aware if the vehicle has been in any accidents and/or been written off previously by an insurer.
As many as 1 in 3 cars are thought to have something to hide. Make sure you find this information out before making any costly commitments.
Inspect the car
Whilst inspecting a used car may seem daunting at first, many faults and issues are obvious and easy to spot.
- Is the paint the same shade all over the car?
- Do all the doors and trunk open and close smoothly?
- Has the paint ‘bubbled’ at all? This could indicate a future rust issue
- Does the cars Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) show signs of being tampered with, and is it the same as in the vehicles logbook?
- Have the tires worn evenly?
- Can you see signs of fluid leaks in the engine?
- Are the connectors on the top of the battery rust free?
- Do all the seatbelts work and look to be in good condition?
Take a test drive
The final check in the process is the test drive and this should be your deal breaker.
Insist on test-driving the car from a ‘cold’ engine, as this will help uncover any starting issues. Check for excessive white or black exhaust smoke, unusual noises or a reluctance to start once the key is turned.
Try to drive the car on a variety of different road surfaces and make sure you use every gear in a manual car. Check the transition between gears is smooth and make a note of how the clutch feels in the process.
Perform an emergency brake to ensure the car doesn’t veer from left to right, check for unusual noises or vibrations when braking.
This article was written by freelance writer and mother of three, Kathryn Thompson. Follow her on Twitter: @katht35 @ellatmason
And do not buy a diesel because the parts alone are very costly.