Used Car Purchases: Essential Inspection Points for a Smart Deal

Buying a used car likely to be the second biggest purchase after a house, so it’s important to buy a good used car safely. With the rise of crime and car clones, scammers are always on the lookout to make extra money by selling a dodgy car. In this article we will go through an important checklist to following when buying a used car.

1. Buy from dealer: When shopping around for a used car you will find both private and trade sellers. Whilst private sellers tend to advertise the car cheaper, it’s important to find a reputable dealer especially if you have not purchased a car before. This will provide better protection over what you would get from a private seller. However, sometimes you can get a good deal from a private seller, so do not rule this out completely.
2. Check the history: It’s crucial to use a car checker service before purchasing a car. The checks cost around £9.99 but can save you thousands of pounds. For example, if you purchase a car that is written off or has outstanding finance unknowingly this can cause a significant financial impact on you.
3. Compare car insurance: This is usually overlooked until a car purchase is complete, however comparing car insurance before buying a car is a good thing. This will give you a better understanding on how much the car insurance will cost. With the recent insurance hikes, it’s always good to know the price so you can factor this into your car purchase.
4. Carry out a test drive: Regardless is the seller says the car has no issues, you must always take the car for a test drive. This will give you a general feel of the car. Don’t be afraid to take the car on the motorway and go round the corners multiple times to make sure the engine and gearbox has no issues. Do remember you will need insurance to carry out a test drive.
5. Take a mechanic with you: It’s always good to take a mechanic or trained professional with you to go over the car and give you the peace of mind that the vehicle is in good condition. They will be able to check several factors that will be overlooked by a respective buyer.
6. Pay with a bank transfer: Try to always pay by bank transfer even if the buyer asks you for cash. By doing so it will provide a trace of the purchase and will be safer for all parties involved. Always remember to get a receipt of your purchase with the registration and VIN number added onto it.

Above are 6 important steps to follow when buying a used car, whilst there are more things to look out for, the 6 points above are crucial. Try to take a secondary person with you to give you that second opinion and always take precautions and be safe, such as never handling cash but dealing with a bank transfer.

Remember if it it’s too good to be true then that is usually the case. Don’t be afraid to walk away if you feel the deal is not right as there is always another deal round the corner.