Top Tips For Buying A Used Car You Won’t Regret!

There are few professions with sketchier reputations than that of a used car salesman – just ask Swiss Toni from The Fast Show! And with today’s online market, it’s easier than ever for anyone to sell their own vehicle without going through a dealer. Unfortunately, that means it’s also easier than ever for fraudsters to feign ownership of a non-existent car to steal your money.

With all that in mind, it’s no wonder that buying a used car is one of the most stressful things you can undertake. Having said that, there are certain strategies you can employ to make the process easier. Whether you’re buying from a dealership, an online marketplace or a private seller, be sure to follow these tips and tricks for your next second-hand vehicle.

Know Your Budget

Are you aware of exactly how much money you have to spend? Smaller cars are cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and cheaper to insure, while petrol engines are generally more affordable than diesel ones and manuals are invariably more economical than automatics. Keep that in mind to narrow down your search right away.

Get Your Timing Right

If buying from a dealership, you should be aware that salesman have targets to meet and these normally function on a quarterly basis. Therefore, you might find at the end of March, June, September and December, there are more attractive deals on offer because the dealership is keen to close the sale. Use that to your advantage.

Verify Photos

Uploading an image of your motor to sell it online is as simple as pie today. But so too is stealing a photo from another website to scam unsuspecting buyers. Fortunately, Google offers a reverse search tool for images which will allow you to see if the same photo exists on another site. If it does, steer well clear.

Do Your Due Diligence

While buying online might feel riskier, it doesn’t have to be. You can do your homework on a dealer or private seller by using a site like Carsnitch. The first non-biased classified site of its kind in the UK, Carsnitch has reviews for all dealers and isn’t afraid of telling it like it is if they’re a bad apple. Plus, it can also access records for any car (even private sales) and tell you if you’re onto a good deal or not.

Take A Test Drive

Doing online research prior to signing on the dotted line is all well and good, but there’s simply no substitute for getting behind the wheel and seeing how the old girl drives. As well as handling, braking and all of the other usual things to look out for, also pay attention to the electronics (indicators, AC, radio and other bells and whistles) to make sure they’re working.

Insist On Paperwork

Last but certainly not least, make sure you get all the appropriate documentation to go with your shiny new purchase. After all, you don’t want to drive away your new set of wheels, only to find the previous owner hadn’t completed instalments on it! Check MOT, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and milometer to make sure everything adds up.

Buying a second-hand car might seem like a daunting ordeal, but you can make the process as pain-free as possible by following these basic tips.