Used car buyer's guide
In the UK, there is a very vibrant used car market. Each year, millions of us part with our hard-earned cash to purchase a vehicle that has had one or more owners already. There are a variety of reasons why we do so. Some car enthusiasts want models that are now out of production, whilst other drivers are just interested in dodging the huge cost of depreciation or getting a cheap car insurance quote.
Whatever your reason for buying used, it is best to know what you are doing before you shell out a load of money for a new vehicle. There are all sorts of pitfalls out there in the used car market – stolen cars, vehicles which have been clocked or otherwise illegally modified, and those which are simply falling to pieces with a hundred and one mechanical problems. You may even find that your cheap car insurance company won't help you out in some circumstances, such as if a car turns out to be stolen.
Ways to buy a new car
When buying a new car, you have three main options:
- Buy manufacturer used approved from a dealer. If you choose this option, it is unlikely you would pick up a vehicle with any faults as all vehicles undergo rigorous testing by the manufacturer and must have a recognised past. On the downside, you will probably have to pay a bit more for this peace of mind.
- Buy non-used approved from a dealer. Most dealers have a large selection of vehicles and buyers are protected by the Sale of Goods Act. Although dealers have had a bad reputation in the past, the Retail Motor Industry Federation and the Scottish Motor Trade Association both provide comprehensive lists of dealers who have good working practices.
- Buy privately. You may well find that a car will be cheaper if bought privately. However, it is riskier than going through a dealer and you will have little comeback if it turns out there is a problem with the car. However, you can get an AA inspection done on a car before you buy it to ensure it is in good condition. See HYPERLINK "http://www.theaa.com" for further information.
What to look out for
According to police estimations, one in three used cars have a hidden history. It is therefore best to err on the side of caution if you have any doubts about any aspect of a car.
When you go to look at a car, try to view it in daylight so that any obvious problems with the car cannot be hidden. If you note any of the following points about a car you are looking at, you should probably reject it:
- Mismatched or rippled panels. If the colour, the fit or the quality of the panels don't quite match, it is likely that the car has been in an accident and the vendor may be trying to disguise this fact. A car that has been in an accident may have other undetected structural or mechanical problems which could make it unsafe or just very costly to fix.
- Rust. Although the early stages of rust may not seem to be a serious issue, within a few years you could be looking at something which is undriveable and certainly unsaleable. It is worth paying extra attention to rust if you are buying a car from near the coast, as salt accelerates the rusting process.
- Unevenly worn tyres. If the wear on the tyres of your prospective new vehicle seems uneven, there could be a problem with the wheel alignment or more serious issues. Depending on what the cause of uneven wear is, you could be in for an expensive trip to the garage if you purchase this vehicle.
- Inappropriate wear and tear. If the car has a low mileage for its age but appears to have a surprisingly tatty and worn out interior, you may be looking at a car that has been 'clocked'. This means that the odometer has been changed to give the impression it has done fewer miles than it actually has. Don't think newer models are immune to this either, as both digital and mechanical odometers can be altered.
Test drive
Always take a used car for a test drive before you buy it, as this is the only way to see how well the vehicle runs and whether it is comfortable for you. Take it further than the end of the road and back, too, as you want to be able to try all the gears and see how it corners.
When you are out on your test drive, ask yourself:
- Does the engine have any problems starting?
- Are gear changes difficult?
- Is there any smoke coming out the exhaust?
- Are the temperature gauge readings unnaturally high?
- Are there any annoying rattles or otherwise strange sounds?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you may want to think again about whether this car is the one for you. You should also check that all the lights work, along with the electric windows, the radio and any other equipment.
If you come across a minor problem that you would be happy to get fixed yourself, bear this in mind when agreeing a price as it could be used as a bargaining point.
Paperwork
The paperwork is as important as the car. Since 2002, any car that is sold must have a V5 (vehicle registration document) that gives the seller's details, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the registration and the colour of the car. There must also be a valid MOT if the car is more than three years old.
Make sure that:
- The name and address of the person who is selling you the car matches the name on the V5.
- The colour, registration number, engine number and colour of the car match with the V5.
- The V5 is an original document.
Even if you are happy with all the documentation and the condition of the car, it is also well worth getting the car's history verified by using a service like HYPERLINK "http://www.hpicheck.com" . This will let you know if it is stolen, has been labelled a car insurance write off or if it has some other notable event in its history.
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