Buying a second hand car can be hard to navigate; there’s all kinds of dealerships out there, with all kinds of con artists who can get you to sign the wrong dotted line, and some cars just aren’t worth the money even when they’re at their lowest price. Not to mention the insurance you’ll have to fork out for too!
It’s why you have to look for value, rather than a current price point or aesthetic features you quite like in a second hand car.
If you’re someone who needs to get a new car, it’s time to ensure you’re getting the best value for money in the vehicle you’ve set your heart on. So, let’s make sure you’ve got the right tips and tricks to put to good use with the questions we’ve listed below.
When Was it Released?
If you want to ensure you’re getting value for money, you need to be aware of the year the car you’re interested in was released. You’ll want to buy something recent, rather than from 10 or 20 years ago, as it’s these cars that don’t retain their value and won’t be a reliable option either. Instead, try to buy something that’s about a year old, and up to 5 years at max.
One of the best car models to purchase second hand are Used Convertible Cars – they’re unique in their makeup, have a lot of collector’s value, and work against the usual rules you’d apply here. They’re a safe choice for anyone who doesn’t know where else to start.
Is it a Car That’s Easy to Run?
You’ll also need to be aware of the car brand, and if it’s easy to run or not. After all, you’re going to be forking out a lot of money in the long term, for things like repair jobs, MOTs and the regular petrol prices we see around our local garages. And because of this, you need to focus on future value, rather than simply seeing the pricing details right now.
As a few general rules, you’ll want to look at cars that are known to have small engines, use petrol as a fuel or are hybrid in their make, and a car that is small is usually cheaper to insure too. Of course, trying to find a family car might bend that last rule, but the smaller you can go, the better!
Do You Know How to Haggle?
And finally, make sure you know how to haggle. You’ll want to be able to argue the price of a car down a little, to save you money in the here and now, and allow you to free up your budget in the future too. One of the best ways to haggle is by targeting a car that’s already been discounted in its price – see if you can knock it down just a little bit more.
A second hand car can be a worthy purchase, as long as you keep long term value in mind.
