Buying A Used Or Second Hand Car In UK

If you are considering the purchase of your next used or second hand car, you might at this point be very nervous. Its not a purchase you make regularly like going to the supermarket for your monthly shop or buying that next outfit for hitting the town. Its something you might only do every three or four years sometimes longer.

Some popular makes are:

Audi, Alfa Romeo, Bmw, Citroen, Ford, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus,Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mg, Mini and Mitsubishi.

Confused? Who should I buy it from? A large garage group, a medium sized independent, a small independent, or a back street garage? The Answer? Whichever of these have the vehicle that you want! (With certain reservations which we will explore later.)

A common mistake is to go out in the car and visit all local sellers in the hope you see something you like, if you do this you will be at your most vulnerable and may well find that you buy something on impulse and may not in the long term be the best for you.

With the world wide web at your fingertips it’s a great place to start. By using it and visiting some of the better used car classified sites you will be able to narrow down your choices before even leaving your home.

Some of the best sites are:

www.autotrader.co.uk
www.autoexposure.co.uk
www.compucars.co.uk
www.ukclassifieds.co.uk
www.freeads.net

Ideally you should list your requirements in order of importance for example:

1. Insurance Cost
2. Fuel type
3. Economy
4. Vehicle size
5. 3/5/4 door etc
6. Price
7. Colour
8. Specification

Don’t get to carried away other wise the whole thing will not be the enjoyable experience it should be. Okay get surfing and find that combination of your dreams.

More of the most popular makes of vehicles to search are:

Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Seat, Subaru, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Happy hunting and watch out for the next instalment. “The negotiation.”

Buying A Used Car From A Dealer

There are many challenges you will face when buying either a new or used car. It depends on the model that you want, how much is the budget, the size of your family and the options that go with it.

If you have an idea on the right car, then a little research on the value of the car in the market to date will be able to help the you when approaching a dealer.

This can be done by checking the internet or looking through the local newspaper before going to the various dealers in the area to make comparisons.

If the ideal car is not available on the lot, the if you tell the dealer about it these people can help by looking for that particular model or offer a similar car similar to your choice.

Since dealers often want to get rid of the cars quickly, it is also possible to get a good deal on what is available as long as it meets your requirements.

Most cars have a maintenance record. The buyer must ask the dealer to see it and if it is not available, then you should contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done.

The buyer has the right to see a copy of the dealer’s warranty. To be safe, you can also ask if a service contract is provided in buying the used car. This contract that is offered by the dealer may or may not provide coverage that is in the manufacturer’s warranty which may cost extra.

Since the warranty usually comes when buying a car and the service contract does not, it is best to ask if you need to avail of by answering some questions;

• What are the differences between the coverage of the warranty and the service contract?
• What repairs are covered?
• Is routine maintenance covered?
• Who will pay for labor and parts if brought to the shop?
• Who is authorized to perform the repairs and where?
• How long does the service contract last?
• What are the cancellation and refund policies?

Just looking at the car will not give information if the car is in good condition. It should be test driven under various road conditions such as the highway or in traffic.

Since most people are not that knowledgeable about cars, it is advisable to bring the car to a reliable mechanic for proper inspection.

Buying A Used Car? Know The Basics

If you feel purchasing a new car is tricky, then buying a second hand car can be quite trickier. But don’t fret just yet–with these guidelines to keep you on track, that used car could be one of the sweetest deals you’ve ever had.

Where to Look
Snoop around. It pays to be on the lookout for owners wanting to shift to a newer model, and thus wanting to sell the car of your dreams. This is where your friends and family come in. Aside from referrals, they could more or less ensure that the price is reasonable and the car’s ownership history is satisfactory.

Asking the Right Questions
Why are the owners letting the car go? Make sure that they are not selling due to any major problems.

How long have they owned the car? Given proper maintenance, a five to seven year-old car would generally be in good condition. What repairs have been done, or are currently needed? How’s the mileage? The lower the mileage, the better. However, a used car with more miles could be satisfactory, too. In this case, ask about the vehicle’s use. Was it a family car limited to city driving? Does the car come with a warranty?

Take Note of the following:
Body rust or holes are difficult to repair. A body panel rusting through is to be replaced. Different paint shades from one panel to another, peeling and cracked paint, or smudges on other car part indicates a poor re-paint job, which needs to be re-done. Threadbare tires, chipped or cracked glass, the electrical work and what’s beneath the hood should be given proper attention, too.

Going Out for a Test Drive
If it’s a manual car, the clutch shouldn’t slip. If the clutch slips, instead of being steady as it accelerates, the motor will be revved up as when using neutral. If this happens get yourself a new clutch! Is the exhaust not chugging out excess smoke and noise? The car may need some good motor repair, or some of the exhaust system parts replaced. Do the pothole test. Overly shaky rides could indicate a suspension problem, an alignment problem and or a tire problem. Always have a trusted mechanic or a car aficionado friend to thoroughly go over the car with you.

The Turn Over, at Last
The number of previous owners, registration details, applicable taxes, and insurance papers – should all be properly documented. With the paperwork done and the payment terms agreed upon, you’re ready to hit the road, and enjoy the ride!