Buying a Second Hand Car Can Still be a Tricky ExerciseWriten by Michael Hanna
Even for experienced drivers that have bought and sold several cars, the purchase of a second hand car can still fill us with a degree of trepidation. So just what is the best way to ensure that you don't get sold a lemon?
The purchase of a second hand vehicle is something that everyone from seventeen to seventy takes seriously. The old adage that a house apart, a car is the largest purchase you'll make still rings true. No wonder when you consider that apart from our homes and our workplaces, our car is where we spend most of our time. It is for these reasons that buying a car still seem like an important decision and one requiring considerable research.
The dealerships always seem like a good place to start. But inevitably, the cost of the second hand cars in the forecourt seems slightly inflated and when you are informed of the trade in price of your own vehicle their always seems to be quite a disparity in the valuations of the two vehicles. Instead, you should be checking out the rules and regulations to buying a used car. The Citizens Advice Bureau has some good information and guidance in what to look for and on common problems to help you know what to look for and what to do if something goes wrong.
Getting some idea of the kind of vehicle you want and the relative cost of this is useful. Scouring the local classifieds or visiting sites such as Loot can help you to see what private sellers are up to and buying through sites like these can be useful as it allows you to establish direct contact with the seller should anything go wrong with your new pride and joy.
Once you have found the car you're looking for, there are a few steps to go through to make sure you're getting a good deal and a good used car. Checking that the vehicle is roadworthy, legal and above board and the car history is vital. Even if you're an amateur under the bonnet, sites like Samarins can take you through the main steps or you can rope in a more mechanically minded friend to take a look on your behalf. Alternatively, local garages and dealerships will happily service your proposed buy and perform crucial checks to make sure it's going to stay in one piece.
Buying a used car need not be intimidation just do your research and follow the steps and you should be driving, if not the car of your dreams, then at least not a nightmare on wheels.
Michael is a keen writer living in Edinburgh: Michael Hanna