Buying A Second Hand Car? 19 Tips To Avoid Getting Your Fingers Burnt.
Do your homework. Read up about the model of car you’re thinking about. Will it perform as you will want? Be aware of any known mechanical problems with that particular model and remember to check them out when you take it for a test drive (see tip 15).
Look up the current second hand values for the car. Try starting at www.what car .com. Also get some of the second hand car magazines and your local paper. Check out the prices being asked for similar cars.
Car Insurance is always a major expense. How much will that car cost you to insure? It’s easy to find out on the Internet get a few quotes. It’ll just take you ten minutes.
Also check out the car’s other running costs. We’re talking about fuel consumption, servicing and repair bills. Again www.what car .com can help. Ensure you can afford to run the car!
When you see the car insist on seeing its registration documents and, if the car is more than 3 years old, its MOT certificate. The registration documents will also show the cars’ VIN number. Carefully check that the documents tally.
Always ensure that the person selling the car does actually own it.
And always see the car at the seller’s own home or business premises. Then ensure that the address on the Registration Document is at the same as the address – if not ask why. You should be suspicious.
Examine the Road Tax disc. Is it still valid? Does the vehicle registration number on the disc match the Registration Document and the number on its number plate?
Ask to view the cars’ Servicing Record. Usually, this will also show the cars’ VIN number and details of the first owner. If the Service record is not available, has the owner kept any of the service or repair bills? Ask to see them.
Now look under the bonnet and look for the VIN Number (it could also be on a plate on the inside edge of one of the front doors). Compare the VIN number with the number on the Registration Document and check that the number stamped on the car has not been interfered with. This will help to ensure that the car hasn’t had its identity changed.
It’s best to take a friend with you who knows’ about cars not only to look at the car but also to be a witness for what is said and anything that is agreed.
Don’t pay for a car on your first visit and try not to be pushed into putting down a deposit. You need to carry out some checks before you part with any money (see 17 below).
Ask the owner whether the car is subject to any outstanding finance. Take notes of what he/she says. Then, when you get home, get on the Internet and check out the information provided with RAC Vehicle Status Check. Go to the RAC’ web site. Click on Car Buying and then Vehicle Status Checks. The Status Check will cost you 24.99 but it will confirm whether the car has outstanding finance. Best to be safe without this Check you could find out that a finance company actually has a prior title to the car.
Carefully examine the car in good daylight. Look carefully for signs of repairs and accident damage. If you have followed our advice and obtained a Vehicle Status Check, that Check will also notify you if the car has previously been written off.
Try to ensure that the car hasn’t been clocked. (Clocked means that the mileometer has been wound back to show a lower mileage.) The average annual mileage is around 12,000. Be wary if the wear and tear on the car looks greater than you would expect from the mileage. The wear on the driver’s pedals is usually a give away. Then ask when the tyres were last replaced. Does the wear on the tyres look about right?
Insist on test-driving the car for at least 10/15 miles. You need to get the car fully warmed up and drive it in varying conditions. Incidentally, don’t forget to ensure you are insured to drive it! Don’t assume that your own insurance policy will cover you for driving someone else’s car. Check your policy before you leave home. If the seller claims that his insurance covers you, ask to see his policy a bit of a pain but better safe than sorry!
Has the car ticked all the boxes so far? Then spend some more money get it professionally inspected.
Never pay any money until you have seen the results of the RAC Vehicle Status Check. And even then, avoid paying any money until the car is handed over to you complete with its Documents and tax disc. Always get a written receipt for any money you pay and ensure that it includes the sellers name and address.
Last of all, make sure you’re insured from the moment you drive the car away. The Police can now impound, and ultimately scrap, your car if you’re driving it without insurance or road tax! If the car has not got Road Tax disc, call in at the Post Office on the way home and get one. You’ll need to show them a valid insurance cover note for the car and the cars up to date MOT Certificate.
If you’ve followed all these steps you’ll have done just about everything possible to ensure the car is legally yours at the right price, and you haven’t bought a scrapper!
Tags: 3 Years, Bonnet, Business Premises, Buying A Second Hand Car, Car Insurance, Car Magazines, Fingers, Front Doors, Fuel Consumption, Hand Values, Homework, Mechanical Problems, Registration Document, Registration Documents, Repair Bills, Running Costs, Second Hand Car, Tax Disc, Test Drive, Vehicle Registration NumberRelated posts
Buying new and used cars online is a great way to open up your options when it is time to buy your new vehicle. Too often individuals simply go to their neighborhood dealership, find a car they like, get financing and ride home in their new or used car never realizing they may have paid way too much for that particular vehicle and could have found the same thing online significantly cheaper. So, if you are in the market for a new or used vehicle consider shopping online instead of the traditional dealership.
When you begin your search for new and used cars online you should keep in mind there are literally thousands of online car sellers and while many of them may be legitimate, there are some that are not. Because of this risk you need to take extra care in choosing which online dealerships to trust and those to avoid. However, dont be alarmed because it is relatively easy to spot the really great websites that sell cars as opposed to those that are simply out to get your money.
Websites that sell new and used cars online are generally very well laid out, have a lot of options, not to mention a feedback page where you can read about different experiences from past customers. In addition to this, many are rated by car magazines, car directories and the like. Additionally, when you find a car website you are interested in you can look it up in a search engine and find different reviews about individuals past experiences. This is perhaps the best way to find anything online, reviews on other websites about particular sites. Once you feel comfortable with several websites you can begin shopping.
When you begin shopping you will notice you have the option of searching within your zip code, searching particular cars within your zip code or a certain area, and many other search options for a vary wide or narrow search. Of course, the wider you leave the search options the more options you will have. Regardless, you can search comfortably from your computer for the car you want and that includes from exterior color to interior and extras.
When you find the car you want online, then you will have the option to buy. Of course, there are a variety of ways you can purchase the vehicle online. Some allow you to buy online; others allow you to contact the seller to arrange payment if the site is representing private sellers, sometimes you will be directed to the dealership where the car is located as well as a variety of other payment options. The best thing about buying new and used cars online is you can find the best price and just the car you are looking for without the hassle of salespeople trying to change your opinion on certain cars or talk you into something you are not interested in. Go ahead and search some car selling websites and you will surely become an automatic fan.
Tags: Buying Cars, Car Magazines, Car Website, Cars New, Cars Online, Experiences, Extra Care, Feedback Page, Money Websites, Narrow Search, Neighborhood, New And Used Cars, New Cars, Online Car Sellers, Online Cars, Search Engine, Search Options, Sell Cars, Shopping Online, Zip CodeRelated posts
Sometimes the best buys are made with pre-owned products. This is particularly true in the case of sports cars. Many people would like to have a sports car mainly for the performance but some may want to simply experience the sheer enjoyment that only a sports cars can give. Buying a brand new sports car may be too much expense for many people, that’s why a pre-owned or second hand sports car should be considered.
Here some good advice in the purchasing of pre-owned sports cars.
1. Set expectations
Many people go out to buy a pre-owned sports car with a brand new car in mind. Buying pre-owned sports cars is about getting the best value for your money. Knowing your needs and preferences is also a must in buying pre-owned sports cars.
2. Set a budget
Buying a sports car, even pre-owned ones can be expensive Researching through internet browsing or buying buy and sell car magazines can give a buyer a general feeling about the current prices of different sports car models.
3. Examine carefully
A buyer must be careful in inspecting the pre-owned car and take his time doing so. There are four essential elements of the car that should be thoroughly inspected: the interior, the body, the engine, and the papers. A well-maintained sports car is worth buying.
Open the hood and examine the car’s engine. Many people may not know too much about car electronics but inspection will give a buyer a general feel of how the car has been maintained by the previous owner.
Check the inside of the tailpipe. If it is greasy, that means that there is a problem with the engine compression.
Check for scratches or dents on the cars body. Of course, do not forget to check the cars title, etc. Missing papers will cost the buyer additional money or prevent the purchase.
4. Test Drive
Before a purchase, the buyer should take the car for a test drive. This is a must for all cars, not only for pre-owned ones. An assessment of the over-all handling and performance of the car should be made during the test drive.
Buying a pre-owned maybe the best choice in purchasing a sports car, especially when one is faced by budget constraints. Pre-owned sports cars have the potential to give the same excitement and fun that brand new ones can give. Choose and buy wisely and have fun while doing so.
Tags: Best Buys, Brand New Car, Car Electronics, Car Magazines, Car Models, Compression Check, Dents, Different Sports, Good Advice, New Sports, Pre Owned Car, Purchasing Cars, Scratches, Set Expectations, Sheer Enjoyment, Sports Car, Sports Cars, Sports Models, Tailpipe, Test Drive