There are certainly some does and don'ts when it comes to buying a used car, and for many, and especially first time buyers, the handy tips outlined in this short article are quite often overlooked.
Firstly, and this is important, never go out alone when shopping for a used car. You're much more vulnerable to the seller's babble, than if you have someone with you. Used car dealers are notorious for having the gift of the gab and it's often joked that they could sell ice to the Eskimos or sand to the Arabs.
I remember back in the 1990's, when I arrived home with my first ever used car. Once I had calmed down, I realized I'd just been sold something I didn't like, didnt want, and didn't know what to do with. Just a couple of hours after the sale I was left wondering how in the heck it had all happened.
So that's the first rule, never shop alone unless you are really plugged in to the auto trade. Now just as the used-car-dealer is cunning, quite often the private-seller is desperate. This is particularly the case with an old banger. Here, it's not only important to take someone with you, but take a buddy who knows more about motors than you do. If you dont know anyone, pay a professional to give it the once over before parting with your cash. It's better to loose a little on an inspection than a lot on a wreck.
Last year, my friend's sister went shopping alone for a used car and came back with an Austin Mini Cooper. She bought it from, and I quote, 'a lovely man'. The poor girl was on day 2 of driving around in this popular little motor when the brakes failed at a T-junction. Fortunately no one was hurt in the incident, but it could have been catastrophic.
The following day she took to vehicle to a garage for brake repairs and a full inspection. Well, the rear brake pipes were corroded, the tires were all low grade remolds, and the spare in the boot was both bald and flat. Once they lifted up the carpets, they saw a hole in the floor that was big enough to crawl through. She's bought herself a rot box and there wasn't a darn thing she could do about it by law, as she'd signed a simple 'sold as seen' agreement at the time of purchase.
There really are some sharks out there when it comes to selling used vehicles, and so long as first time buyers are short of cash, they'll be no end to a demand for old cars. Not all old cars are doomed though, just as not all sellers are tricksters, but it really is a 'buyer beware' market. Some folks sell low mileage, well maintained old cars that are a real bargain, but you need to find them amid all the junk.
Rule number 2 then is to get to a professional vehicle inspection when buying privately. Once you've agreed to a sold-as-seen arrangement, there's little recall if anything goes wrong. Buying from a dealer, even when you've been had over a barrel, at least has some after-sales-guarantee with it, and is less risky as a consequence.
First time buyers might also be interested to purchase their first auto at an auction. The reasons are obvious in that you can save quite a bit of cash in this way. But once again, if you bid for it, you get to own it, warts 'n' all. Pre-inspection by a professional is crucial here. Although many great motors have been snapped up at auctions, there have been an awful lot of tears too as ignorant buyers have to drive away in metal mistakes.
So there you have it. Some very simple straight forward tips to buying a used car. They may seem obvious while reading this, but you'd be surprised at just how many excitable first time buyers rush out and snap up the first motor with a tempting price tag.
Andy Maingam is a proficient writer for keepingcars.com where he has articles on the Modern day Radio Controlled Cars and a piece on Ford Truck Recalls. He also has many other auto related pieces on the site.
