Buying a second-hand car could be quite an investment and this is why it is not a decision you would like to make light-headed. You need enough time to do research and realise what you want and what compromises you can make, as well as the top of your budget. In addition, you would like to decide whether or not you are going to look for offers from a private seller or a re-selling company. There is much to be done and considered before the actual process of looking for your new car. You should be also aware that there are some shady sellers and selling companies out there and how to avoid them and ensure a fair deal.
At Mobeo, we know used vehicles very well since we have over 18000 ads active on our website we monitor daily. This makes us quite an experienced professionals in the field and today we would like to share with you some useful and helpful tips and recommendations on how to make sure you are making a fair and great deal when buying a pre-loved vehicle.
Do your market research
You need enough time to properly research and investigate the market whenever you are planning to invest in a used car. Just a quick search will give you a rough idea of what are the cars available on the market, what are the leading companies that are reliable enough to put trust into, where is the online place where reliable private sellers are listing their cars, what are the prices, etc. In case you are not simply browsing the online space but you are already aware of what car model you are looking for and compromises you can make your quick search will be even more productive. This is also the point where you need to have at least a rough idea of the budget you are willing to spend so you can check out what options are available within the given budget.
Make a list of questions
When buying a new car it can be easy to get carried away and forget to ask all the important questions. This is why specialists recommend you to prepare a list of all the questions you are interested in asking. You can even go further and ensure extra safety by making the seller write down all the answers and then sign and date the form.
Paperwork
Maybe you are wondering what is the full set of paperwork the car owner should have. First of all, you need to check the car’s registration document or V5 as it is known in the UK. This will allow you to validate ownership and accuracy of the vehicle’s age and mileage. The car also should have MOT. However, keep in mind that MOT is not safe evidence that the vehicle is sound. Make sure to check out the full-service history of the vehicle too which will ensure that the car is properly looked after. It is a good idea to check the vehicle’s status too as this will show you if the car has been stolen, written off, or has outstanding finance on it.
Inspect the interior
When meeting the seller for an inspection of the car do not check the exterior of the vehicle only as the interior is important too. In addition, the best time to arrange a viewing is on a day when you can see the car clearly – no rain, no gloominess, no late evening viewings. Start with checking the underside of the car and if you happen to find any signs of rust or welding then this is most probably a sign of more serious problems and some more intense repair work needed. Continue with thoroughly studying the bodywork and fittings of the car. Remember, the colour of the body should be even and uniform. Uneven paint, lumps, bumps, and chips could signify a misused motor. Car leaks could be a very costly repair job so make sure that all rubber seals are intact.
Inspect the engine
In case you do not feel confident enough you can ask a technician to come to the viewing with you, just do not forget to ask the seller if this is ok. Otherwise, you can start by checking the oil levels. Remember, an oil leak could signify ageing of the car and the need for repairs. The coolant level is another thing you should check. In case the engine has been neglected for a long time you may found out it is damaged and could break down quickly in the heat. Listen for unusual sounds when the engine is running.