SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A USED CAR

With the prices of cars going up every year, citizens in the UK, especially Ireland, have resorted to buying used cars. This is because cheap and affordable cars are available at lower costs and good working conditions. They are more worth the money than the brand new ones. However, people forget to check the history of the car before they buy it.

In the UK, car history check services are not usually availed by customers before they buy a used car. This can create inconveniences in the future. However, some services take care of the job for the customers these days.

This article lists the important points one must look for before buying a used car to avoid discrepancies.

1. Do not Rush: Take the time and effort to ease into the whole process while choosing a vehicle suited for one’s needs. Hasty decisions can lead to reckless timing which can then lead to wrong choices.

Taking the time also prepares the buyer to do their own research and negotiate prices if necessary. In the UK, car history check services like MyVehicle.ie will help one through the process.

1. Certification: Make sure the pre-owned vehicles have proper certification and paperwork for the transfer of ownership. If there is none, make sure to buy or modify one for legal purposes. There was an increase of 56% in car thefts in the UK in 2020.

Therefore, it is important to have valid certification. Dealers usually check for paperwork and issue them, but it is the customers’ job to ask for it if they do not.

1. Do A Thorough Check Up: The best way to ensure that the car is in top condition is to check it personally. Always check for damages on the vehicle. Smaller scratches may be present, but more significant damages will need to be addressed.

Checking both the exterior and the car’s interior parts is mandatory as car dealers may not entertain further maintenance after purchase. Always check for oil leaks, paint, or water damage so that issues can be addressed.

1. Take The Vehicle For A Test Drive: Always test drive the car to understand how it feels and whether it is comfortable for driving. Test driving allows the customer to confirm the choice of purchase regarding personal reference.

Test driving also enables the customer to check for issues in dashboard controls, equipment, brakes, and lighting. One can also check the proper working of the engine, and if any problems do arise, it can be reviewed and dealt with immediately.

1. Check The Car History: One of the most important things to look out for is the vehicle’s history. Details present in history will give a better understanding of the car than a test drive could.
2. Accidents: Check if the car had been involved in any accidents. Vehicles that have met with an accident will have repairs and paint jobs that a mechanic can easily identify. Factory repair and low-cost repair can have an impact on the price of the vehicle.
3. Factory Defects: If the car is a factory defect, it’s better not to purchase it. Factory defects are cars with industrial issues that will not enable them to be sold in a market.

Being a defective vehicle, it can have many problems with safety and handling. So a good history check will reveal whether a car is an industrial defect or not.

1. Damage By Flood: Vehicles damaged by floods have no use but to be left in the junkyard. Vehicles sold after flood damage can have busted electronics and reduced life. Hence, it will inevitably have problems and is not worth the risk.
2. Service History: A proper service history check will give the customer some insights into a vehicle’s inner workings or faults. Service records usually have information like the interval of maintenance, number of repairs, and other details. Hence, looking through a service record will give a basic idea of the vehicle’s condition.
3. Get The Proper Paperwork: This can include everything from repair and maintenance records to service reports. Warranty and insurance also come under this category and need to be acquired. So make sure every paperwork and certificates are updated and verified before the purchase.

Buying a used car comes with many concerns and issues that need to be dealt with. Overlooking such issues will only create problems for the customer and the seller in the long run.

The customer must be well educated in the various policies, laws, and legal procedures of the vehicle purchase and understand the procedure’s workings. The more informed about a vehicle the customer is, the more chances of addressing its underlying issues and improving the customer’s driving experience and vehicle life.