The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money by Buying a Used Car

buy used carIt’s always a good idea to try and save money whenever possible and doing so these days can come in a variety of different forms. This can include making coffee at home, not going out to eat as much and in this instance, purchasing a used car. While this could save you a fortune, there are also a great deal of risks that you will need to face too, and this article will talk you through exactly what those are.

The fact is, a great amount of care needs to go into buying a used car in order to make sure that the purchase is the right one for you and you’re not sold something you’re going to regret purchasing later down the line. The following advice is going to cover a wide range of points that people should be aware of when buying a used car, including where to get them from, what to look out for and how you can factor what you find into negotiations.

Where Should You Buy Your Used Car From?

There are a lot of different places where you can buy a used car, e.g., like those found at Autozin site. Before you head over to or consider any of them, ask yourself whether or not you will be able to get the car home after you buy it.

Many people buy a car online or go to an out-of-town dealership only to realize upon purchase that the logistics of getting the car to their property are incredibly difficult to navigate. If this is the case, you may want to consider looking into the price of a vehicle home delivery company. A vital step is to ensure that the dealership gives detailed information about the vehicle, and has fantastic reviews from previous buyers like the ones for this car supermarket manchester dealer. The options of where you could eventually get your car from include:

A Dealer, Independent Garage or Driveway Trader 

If you feel nervous about buying a second-hand car, then a dealer or a trader is the easiest place to go to speak to people who have knowledge about the vehicle they’re selling to you. A trader is someone who acts for the purpose of running their business, so this term can extend to mean an entire organization or one person who buys and trades cars themselves for a hobby or as part of a small independent business.

These traders will be able to give you details about the vehicle as they will have prepared prior to making it available, not to mention, they will also be able to discuss the after-sales support and the cost of premiums. They have more resources than people who are merely selling a car because they would like a new one, and so if you worry about not dealing with a professional when buying a used car, a trader is certainly the way to go.

They may even be able to advise you on where to find accessories for your new car, such as the Car Covers website, in order to make sure that your new purchase is protected from the elements when parked outside.

Buying a Used Car Privately 

Of course, there is always the option available to buy a used car privately. This can be a much cheaper option, but does come with a large array of pros and cons. The pros include, as previously mentioned, that this is a much cheaper option, not to mention their vehicles are usually cleaner and better locked after. That being said, potential cons of buying privately include the fact the seller is a complete stranger, you won’t get a warranty on the car and sorting out the vehicle registration and documentation after the sale would be your responsibility.

Buying a Used Car from an Auction 

A lot of buyers also frequently attend car auctions and purchase their new vehicles from there. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a good deal, due to the fact that cars under the hammer are looking for a quick sale; however, you won’t get the opportunity to test drive, so by the time you realize the vehicle isn’t for you, it’s a bit too late.

What to Check When Buying a Used Car

It’s probably a common occurrence that people will head out to look for a car but then upon getting there will have absolutely no idea what they’re looking for. There are a few simple things that you can do to make sure the car you’re buying is of a good standard, these include:

Tires 

Kick the tires to start with, but to get a good idea as to their quality, you are going to need to get on the ground and inspect them properly. Check the tread that they have and whether it is the legal standard of 1.6mm. You don’t want budget tires as these will be the first thing to go, meaning before you’ve had the car long you are already paying to get it repaired.

Dents and Bumps 

A dent and bump shouldn’t put you off buying a car but if you do see them, they are obviously going to need to be repaired, which can be factored into the offer you make when negotiating a price for the car.

Panel Gaps 

When you are looking over the bodywork of your vehicle, you are going to need to check the gaps that are between the panels as if there are large gaps, this could be a sign that insufficient repairs have been carried out following a crash. You should also make sure that there aren’t any huge color differences between the panels either for the same reasons.

Fluid Levels 

Have a look under the bonnet and check all of the fluid levels, including the oil, brake and power steering fluid. If they’re low, then that could be a worrying indication that the car hasn’t been maintained very well. You should also check for any signs of oil leaks under the bonnet. Ask where the car is usually kept and see if there are any stains on the floor from oil leaking, too.

Electrics

Try absolutely everything. Wind the windows up and down, turn on the radio, test the air conditioning. These faults are very simple, but they’re still faults nonetheless and something you can use when negotiating a price for the vehicle.

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Saving Money by Buying a Used Car

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