Buying a Used Car: Everything you Need to Know

Posted by thecarguy in Feb, 2021

Buying a used car can be a tricky process especially for those of you that are not the most knowledgeable with cars, although you will be able to find a car at a more reasonable price than that of a brand new vehicle you must be wary of any potential issues that the seller is hesitant to tell you about. The thing with buying older used cars is that there could be internal wear and tear and damage to the car’s interior, so what may look like a good deal on a quality vehicle could actually turn into a bit of a money pit.

My recommendation for those of you that are buying a used car for the first time would be to either take a friend with you who knows what they are talking about or to make sure you research into any potential issues before you go ahead with a purchase. Some other things to look out for are to make sure the seller has the relevant paperwork and history of the vehicle so you know how many people have owned the car before you and any repair work it has had in the past that could be a recurring problem.

The Seller

When you are going to inspect a car that you may potentially buy it is very important to think about the credibility of the seller, although it is not illegal to buy a car of an unprofessional seller you should watch out as the chances are they don’t know much about cars either. If you are buying from a dealership then the seller should be very knowledgeable of the car’s specifications as well as being very open about any potential faults or issues the car could have. If you feel that information is being withheld from you I would strongly recommend that you look elsewhere, within the used car industry you will find some shady characters who look to take advantage of those who are not very industry knowledgeable. If you feel uncomfortable with the sale at any time you should be fully prepared to walk out and look for another option.

Cleanliness

First impressions are very important and buying a car is no exception to this, it is more likely that you are going to be impressed with a car that has been fully valeted and clean as opposed to one that is looking worse for wear.  If the car looks as though it has been looked after it is also a good sign in terms of the seller’s professional reputation which will put a lot of minds at ease when it comes to buying a secondhand car. The car’s interior is also a good indicator of any modifications or repairs that may have occurred in the vehicle, so be sure to question anything that looks out of place inside the vehicle, as long as the sellers are honest about everything you shouldn’t worry too much.

Car History

One of the most important things to remember when buying a used car is the history of the vehicle, as the car is not brand new it could have had many owners in the past and may have been involved in damages or repairs that you need to know about before you go ahead with a purchase. Most vehicles come with a logbook which will detail the whole history of the car including any past repairs and details of past MOTs. Some cars come with identification numbers such as BMW’s where the car records can be accessed by a BMW VIN decoder lookup, this information is crucial as it lets you know any potential issues the car may have and you should not purchase a vehicle before getting it.

Test Drive

The best way to see if a car is suitable for your lifestyle as well as check that everything is running smoothly would be to take it for a test drive. You really shouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a drive first as you need to get a feel for what it is actually like to be behind the wheel and it also provides the opportunity to make sure the car works effectively.