Buying a used car can be tricky as you will have to consider lots of factors - it is therefore imperative that you know what you're looking for.
Trust is often a big issue when buying a used car, especially if you are buying privately. When viewing a car you will need to ensure that you check the vehicle over thoroughly. Here are a few tips to help make sure you buy a used car that won't give you too many problems.
1. Before viewing a car you should do some background research so you know the current 'going rate' of that particular car - you don't want to pay too much. You should also remember that when buying from a motor trader you have more rights than you do when you buy privately. It is therefore essential that you follow the tips outlined below.
2. If the car you are looking to buy is under three years old then it should have done around 25,000-30,000 miles, anything with a lower mileage is a good buy.
If it has done more miles then you know that the car has been driven hard which may have an adverse affect on the engine.
3. It is important that you inspect the bodywork to spot any blemishes. It is therefore a good idea to do this is daylight. You should look out for signs of rust as this indicated corrosion - rust is more likely to occur on cars over 5 years old. If you spot rust along the lower door sills, front wing or the bottom of the door alarm bells should ring. Rust shows that the metal is weakened and will require a lot of welding attention to put right. You should also look for signs of crash repairs - this is often shown by ripples in the paintwork.
4. Never buy a car without test driving it yourself. Make sure you are insured to drive it and then take it out on a drive.
If possible take it along a motorway, somewhere with twisting roads...and make sure you check reverse. This will give you a good feel of how the car drives. You will also be able to see whether the gears are sticky, the car pulls to one side or whether the clutch is stiff.
5. Finally, check that the mileage corresponds to the general wear and tear of the car. Also have a quick check of the condition of the engine - a dirty engine suggests that the car hasn't been looked after properly!
Trust is often a big issue when buying a used car, especially if you are buying privately. When viewing a car you will need to ensure that you check the vehicle over thoroughly. Here are a few tips to help make sure you buy a used car that won't give you too many problems.
1. Before viewing a car you should do some background research so you know the current 'going rate' of that particular car - you don't want to pay too much. You should also remember that when buying from a motor trader you have more rights than you do when you buy privately. It is therefore essential that you follow the tips outlined below.
2. If the car you are looking to buy is under three years old then it should have done around 25,000-30,000 miles, anything with a lower mileage is a good buy.
If it has done more miles then you know that the car has been driven hard which may have an adverse affect on the engine.
3. It is important that you inspect the bodywork to spot any blemishes. It is therefore a good idea to do this is daylight. You should look out for signs of rust as this indicated corrosion - rust is more likely to occur on cars over 5 years old. If you spot rust along the lower door sills, front wing or the bottom of the door alarm bells should ring. Rust shows that the metal is weakened and will require a lot of welding attention to put right. You should also look for signs of crash repairs - this is often shown by ripples in the paintwork.
4. Never buy a car without test driving it yourself. Make sure you are insured to drive it and then take it out on a drive.
If possible take it along a motorway, somewhere with twisting roads...and make sure you check reverse. This will give you a good feel of how the car drives. You will also be able to see whether the gears are sticky, the car pulls to one side or whether the clutch is stiff.
5. Finally, check that the mileage corresponds to the general wear and tear of the car. Also have a quick check of the condition of the engine - a dirty engine suggests that the car hasn't been looked after properly!
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