Not everyone has the money for a tear-leather! But with Belgium grade, Toks, we still get high-class high quality engines.
Buying a used car is a great way of cutting the cost of your driving as most new cars lose around 40% of their value in the first year.
But there are risks so it's important to take your time rather than rush into any deal, and to buy as far as possible with your head rather than your heart.
Here are general advice for striking a good deal. Wherever you choose to buy, here are some general tips on buying a used car.
Good financial plan/budget
Know your pocket. Get value quotes and check other car types before signing on the bottom line, and remember to factor in the cost of any work that might be needed too e.g some repairs.
Do your homework
Check price guides and compare similar cars in the classifieds so you know as much as you can about the value of different cars to avoid being overcharged.
Don't view a car in the rain, in poor light or at night
You won't be able to check the condition of the car properly if it's wet – water hides scratches, dents and other problems. Make sure you can see the vehicle clearly and from all angles.
Service/repairs history
Most cars require some work during the year so the owners of a car a few years old should have amassed quite a sheaf of garage bills for work or parts as well as previous MOT certificates, and records of regular servicing.
If there's no history, its suspicious
Does it look like there might be a persistent fault that still may not have been fixed?
Does the history tell a consistent story
Papers and registration documents
Insist on seeing the papers and vehicle registration documents.
MOT
If the car is three years old or more make sure there's a continuous series of annual MOT 'certificates'.
Buyer beware
Be wary of anything that seems like a real bargain, or has a very low mileage for its age. There are bargains to be had but in general, if a deal looks too good to be true then it most likely is.
To help you avoid making a mistake when you buy a used car,
let an experienced person negotiate for you.
Cam belt
As well as regular (usually annual) servicing there are major items like brake fluid, antifreeze or cam belt renewal that car manufacturers specify should be done at a certain age or mileage.
If a cam belt breaks the resulting damage is likely to run into several thousand pounds and often a new engine is the most economical option.
Some engines have a chain instead of a belt and these normally last the life of the vehicle but if your car does have a belt you must make sure it's replaced when due.
If a belt change was due but the service record doesn't show clearly that it was done then the belt will have to be renewed as soon as possible for peace of mind.
Handbook
Make sure the handbook is in the car as they can be expensive to replace if not.
Look to see how the security system works – and check that it does – and find out what keys were provided when the car was new.
There's no legal requirement but cars are generally sold new with at least one spare key. If there's not a spare now ask why not.
Test Drive
The test drive is your only opportunity to check the car's general mechanical condition and to find our for sure that it meets all your needs:
Is the driving position comfortable?
Can you reach/operate all the controls easily?
Do the child seats fit?
Does the golf bag or pushchair fit in the boot?
Look carefully
Misaligned panels or mismatched colours on doors, bonnet and tailgate can indicate that the car has been repaired after a shunt. Traces of spray paint on door handles, window seals and mouldings can indicate repairs too.
If the engine bay looks like it has recently been power-washed clean the owner could be trying to remove evidence of fluid leaks.
A check under the bonnet after a lengthy test drive should reveal any problems.
Seats and carpets
Seats and carpets can always be cleaned, or even replaced, but stains on internal fabric head–linings are impossible to remove completely.
If seat covers have been fitted, check underneath them for signs of damage. You can get seats replaced but this can be very expensive, particularly if they contain electric motors or airbags.
Locking wheel nuts
Adaptors for locking wheel nuts have a habit of going missing. If locking wheel nuts are fitted, check to make sure that the special adaptor required is included with the toolkit and that it fits the nuts.
Don't be pressured into buying
There are always other vehicles out there so if this one doesn't feel right in any way it's time to walk away.
Be wary of and don't be swayed by 'sob stories' like change of job, break-up of relationship, moving abroad, new baby on the way and so on. The bottom line is that you're buying a car to help yourself, not anyone else.
Before paying
Agree collection/delivery arrangements
Confirm exactly what's included in the price
Confirm any work that the seller has agreed to do
Make sure you get a receipt showing vehicle details, price, terms of sale and the seller's details.
Taking cognisance of these will help you acquire an asset and not a liability.
Not everyone has the money for a tear-leather! But with Belgium grade, Toks, we still get high-class high quality engines.
[center][attachment=0]used-car.jpg[/attachment][/center]
Buying a used car is a great way of cutting the cost of your driving as most new cars lose around 40% of their value in the first year.
But there are risks so it's important to take your time rather than rush into any deal, and to buy as far as possible with your head rather than your heart.
Here are general advice for striking a good deal. Wherever you choose to buy, here are some general tips on buying a used car.
[b]Good financial plan/budget[/b]
Know your pocket. Get value quotes and check other car types before signing on the bottom line, and remember to factor in the cost of any work that might be needed too e.g some repairs.
[b]Do your homework[/b]
Check price guides and compare similar cars in the classifieds so you know as much as you can about the value of different cars to avoid being overcharged.
[b]Don't view a car in the rain, in poor light or at night[/b]
You won't be able to check the condition of the car properly if it's wet – water hides scratches, dents and other problems. Make sure you can see the vehicle clearly and from all angles.
[b]Service/repairs history[/b]
Most cars require some work during the year so the owners of a car a few years old should have amassed quite a sheaf of garage bills for work or parts as well as previous MOT certificates, and records of regular servicing.
[b]If there's no history, its suspicious[/b]
Does it look like there might be a persistent fault that still may not have been fixed?
Does the history tell a consistent story
[b]Papers and registration documents[/b]
Insist on seeing the papers and vehicle registration documents.
[b]MOT[/b]
If the car is three years old or more make sure there's a continuous series of annual MOT 'certificates'.
[b]Buyer beware[/b]
Be wary of anything that seems like a real bargain, or has a very low mileage for its age. There are bargains to be had but in general, if a deal looks too good to be true then it most likely is.
To help you avoid making a mistake when you buy a used car, [b]let an experienced person negotiate for you.[/b]
[b]Cam belt[/b]
As well as regular (usually annual) servicing there are major items like brake fluid, antifreeze or cam belt renewal that car manufacturers specify should be done at a certain age or mileage.
If a cam belt breaks the resulting damage is likely to run into several thousand pounds and often a new engine is the most economical option.
Some engines have a chain instead of a belt and these normally last the life of the vehicle but if your car does have a belt you must make sure it's replaced when due.
If a belt change was due but the service record doesn't show clearly that it was done then the belt will have to be renewed as soon as possible for peace of mind.
[b]Handbook[/b]
Make sure the handbook is in the car as they can be expensive to replace if not.
Look to see how the security system works – and check that it does – and find out what keys were provided when the car was new.
There's no legal requirement but cars are generally sold new with at least one spare key. If there's not a spare now ask why not.
[b][size=150]Test Drive[/size][/b]
The test drive is your only opportunity to check the car's general mechanical condition and to find our for sure that it meets all your needs:
Is the driving position comfortable?
Can you reach/operate all the controls easily?
Do the child seats fit?
Does the golf bag or pushchair fit in the boot?
[b]Look carefully[/b]
Misaligned panels or mismatched colours on doors, bonnet and tailgate can indicate that the car has been repaired after a shunt. Traces of spray paint on door handles, window seals and mouldings can indicate repairs too.
If the engine bay looks like it has recently been power-washed clean the owner could be trying to remove evidence of fluid leaks. [u]A check under the bonnet after a lengthy test drive should reveal any problems.[/u]
[b]Seats and carpets[/b]
Seats and carpets can always be cleaned, or even replaced, but stains on internal fabric head–linings are impossible to remove completely.
If seat covers have been fitted, check underneath them for signs of damage. You can get seats replaced but this can be very expensive, particularly if they contain electric motors or airbags.
[b]Locking wheel nuts[/b]
Adaptors for locking wheel nuts have a habit of going missing. If locking wheel nuts are fitted, check to make sure that the special adaptor required is included with the toolkit and that it fits the nuts.
[b]Don't be pressured into buying[/b]
There are always other vehicles out there so if this one doesn't feel right in any way it's time to walk away.
Be wary of and don't be swayed by 'sob stories' like change of job, break-up of relationship, moving abroad, new baby on the way and so on. The bottom line is that you're buying a car to help yourself, not anyone else.
[b]Before paying[/b]
Agree collection/delivery arrangements
Confirm exactly what's included in the price
Confirm any work that the seller has agreed to do
Make sure you get a receipt showing vehicle details, price, terms of sale and the seller's details.
Taking cognisance of these will help you acquire an asset and not a liability.
