There are number of ways in which you can buy a used car. Online sales are popular, but can be costly if you don’t know what you are doing. Used cars were traditionally sold on car lots down the road…or through the classified advertisements in local newspapers. Other methods of buying a used car are auction houses, but all of these methods have been eclipsed by sales online.
Sorting Out Finance
You might be able to trade in your old car and buy a better, but used car through some dealerships. You will be asked to pay the difference between the value of your old car and the value of the used car you are proposing to buy. If you do not have the money to cover the difference, you will require a loan.
Before applying for a loan at your bank or credit union, it is best to take out a credit report on yourself online. You can either ask for the credit report to be sent to you by email or you can receive a credit report by post. It typically takes a couple of days by post, but far less time by email. If your credit scoring is low, you are unlikely to get a loan from your bank. If you can arrange for finance privately – by borrowing from parents or family – you will be much better off. Remember that the interest rate you pay to a bank will add considerably to the overall amount you’ll have to pay back. Your used car won’t cover the amount, when you will resell it since cars depreciate very quickly and your used car will already be past its “sell by date” as far as resale value goes.
When buying used car or vehicle fleets for professional purposes remember that there are strict health and safety regulations when professional passenger transportation is your business. Buying used car or fleet vehicles must include a regular maintenance and servicing deal with a qualified repair garage when calculating the cost of your investment and this cost must also be factored into your cash flow and business plan, when applying for bank finance.
Buying Used Cars at Auction
Unless you know what you are doing, you should visit at least two auctions without taking money, so that you can gauge how much cars of the type you wish to bid for are selling for. When you are ready to make your purchase, set a budget. Do not bid above this limit, you will only regret it later. Typically you will be asked to have all the money ready by banker’s draft, cash or credit card. Remember that there will be commission for the auction house on top of the sales price and also value added tax.
Prior to auction you should view the cars in the sales room. You will be given a cataloge with details on the cars for sale. Unless you are an expert, it is unlikely you are going to spot any hidden or internal defects. If you can, ask a mechanically minded person with you or preferably a motor mechanic, who can take a look at the cars prior to the auction. Also see: What to do when Buying a Car Online or from the Newspaper
What to do when Buying a Car Online or from the Newspaper
Ask friends, colleagues, neighbors and family members if they have bought online and if they can recommend a good website. This is the first step in deciding where you will buy your car online. Getting referrals from friends and family is an excellent way to start the process of buying your car.
To be safe, make sure that you never part with any money until you have test driven the car and have made a thorough inspection. Never meet prospective sellers on your own, always take at least one, preferably two friends with you (make that two sturdy friends). Unfortunately, sometimes buyers have to travel quite a distance to meet the seller of their chosen car.
Buying through a Local Newspaper
Oddly, this is still a popular choice for many people. Buyers and sellers exchange telephone numbers or email addresses and meet locally. As above, make sure you test drive and inspect the car before parting with any money. Never meet sellers on your own.
Preferably take a person along who knows about the internal workings of a car and can spot defects.
Before meeting ask about MOT history, how much MOT is left on the car, service history, mileage, accessories like alloy wheels, CD player, electric windows, how many previous owners the car has had and if it has ever been involved in a major accident. Chassis number must match the documents – make sure you take a look at the engine, where the chassis number is usually to be found. You can check with the DVLA online if these details match with what the seller has stated. Make sure the road tax has been paid and the car is insured.
After Purchase
It is best to check the car thoroughly before taking on a longer trip. You might like to start by booking your car into a service repair garage. Qualified engineers will spot any dangerous defects. If you bought your car through a dealership or an online company, you might be able to recoup some of your losses if major defects are discovered, but on the whole you will have bought the car “as seen” with no or little redress in case of defects.
Sadly, stolen cars are often sold online or through auctions. No matter how many questions you ask and how well you think you have prepared yourself, occasionally hardened professional car thieves will dupe inexperienced buyers of used cars and sell them stolen goods. If you suspect that the used car you bought was stolen you must inform the police as soon as possible.
If you suffer from allergies, you should have the car detailed. A good car detailing company will remove any grime, fingerprints, possible mold, dust and other dirt from the car and will protect your car’s bodywork with a good layer of waxing. Allergies can be caused by any number of things, but animal fur is a common allergy trigger, so car detailing can help you get rid of any traces the previous owners’ pets might have left.