Buying A Used Car; What You Really Should Be Looking For

If you like a good bargain buying a used car could be a great way to make sure you secure a good deal when purchasing your next vehicle. However, there are some things you need to be aware of before you start shopping. Whether you choose to buy private or go to a dealer there is a variety of precautions that you should be taking. 

Have a look below at some of the things you need to consider: 

Have A Look At Car Insurance Quotes 

Getting a quote for insurance on any car that you are looking at should be something that you’re doing whilst shopping around. You don’t want to buy a car to later find that the insurance is unreasonable or unaffordable. There are plenty of tools online that will allow you to compare quotes. 

Vehicle History

A car’s history is essential when buying a used car. You can use it as a tool to find out if it has any outstanding car finance, or has being in any accidents as well as being able to identify any reoccurring problems. You can source a car history check online, but you should also be asking to see the logbook. You are, of course, more at risk from this is you’re purchasing privately rather than through a dealer such as LMC. It’s always advisable to make sure you arrange a history check before handing over any funds. 

The True Value

Ok, so it’s not a secret that you are likely to see a rise in prices from buying from a dealership over buying private but you do get a little more security buying this way. You do, however, need to look into the true value of any car you’re purchasing. Places such as Autotrader will allow you to enter a car registration number and they will let you know an estimate of how much you should be paying for a car. You want to make sure you’re not paying more than you should. 

Arrange A Viewing

You should never buy a car without seeing it before buying. This includes test driving it. It’s best to view a car during the day time, and avoid the rain if you can. If it’s dark and wet chances are you will miss any obvious damages such as scratches or dents. There’s not much you can do about this once you’ve purchased, especially if you have said you’re happy with the car. Make sure you’re not just looking at the outside of a car, you also want to be checking the engine, interior and underneath the wheel arches. Look out for any rust or signs of damages. 

View The Registration Certificate

The registration certificate should be readily available for you to view when buying a car so, if it’s not, don’t buy. The V5C document gives you the details of the registered keeper and shows you all of the previous owners. 

These are five of the key areas you should keep your eye out for when buying a second-hand car. Do you have any others that you can share in the comments section below? 

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