Looking to buy a used car? This can be a great way to get a high-quality, affordable vehicle, but you must also be careful when shopping in the used car market as you hear of many horror stories. With this in mind, read on for 5 things that you must avoid when buying a second-hand vehicle.
1. Not Getting a Mechanic’s Assessment
When buying a used car, you should always inspect it and take it for a test drive. This will give you an idea of its condition, but there could still be an issue that slips under the radar. This is why you should always also get a mechanic to check the vehicle over to ensure that it is in good condition and for peace of mind.
2. Skipping the Test Drive
Following this, many people these days buy used cars online and without taking a test drive. This is one of the worst mistakes that you can make because you need to make sure that the car runs well, that all the features work and that you feel safe and confident behind the wheel.
3. Not Getting a Vehicle History Check
When you buy a used car, there is always the risk that there is a problem with its history that could come back to haunt you. Recorded as stolen, cut and shuts, outstanding finance and clocking are all problems in the used car market that can be impossible to detect without a vehicle history check. You should get these checks carried out even when buying from a reliable used car dealership just to be safe.
4. Buying From an Unreliable Seller
Following on from this, you also need to be cautious of where you buy the used car from. Buying from a private seller might be cheaper, but it is also more dangerous and you could get scammed. When you buy a used car from a reputable dealership, you will have a greater range of quality cars to choose from as well as benefits like consumer protection, finance deals and part exchanges.
5. Buying Based on Looks
When it comes to choosing a car, you should never do this based purely on how the car looks. You need to establish what your needs are from the car and make sure that it is suitable for your lifestyle and the kind of car journeys that you need it for.
These are the 5 main mistakes that you need to avoid in the used car market. When you know how to navigate the market and know what you are looking for, it can be an excellent place to buy a vehicle and it should not be too hard to find a car that ticks all of the boxes.
