Buying a new car is exciting even if it is a used car, it is new to you. It can also be extremely time consuming and frustrating. You need to be prepared to put time and money into researching the car you want in order to avoid any nasty surprises down the line.
In this article, we will take you through 3 simple steps to follow when purchasing a used car.
What Can You Afford?
Working out what you can realistically afford and pay each month is always your first step. Make yourself a rock solid budget and in it include insurance costs, car tax, fuel and services etc. You also need to leave a little room in your budget for any expected costs.
Next, think about how are you going to pay for it? You have a few options here including a personal loan, cash (if you’re lucky enough to have savings!), credit card, hire purchase and personal contract purchase etc. There are pros and cons to all of these options you need to weigh up the costs and decide on the best option for you.
If you do choose to pay in cash then it’s a good idea to pay your deposit via credit card for extra protection.
Research Dealers
Choosing a well-known dealer in your local area will also give you a bit more protection and peace of mind over buying privately. Research your local dealers -and check out any online reviews left for them etc. Also, ask for recommendations from friends or relatives, find out who they used and if there were any problems etc.
Decide the type of car that will fit your needs and check out what cars the dealer has to offer.
Check The Car’s History
Always get a full car history check on the vehicle you want to buy even if the dealer says they have already done it, do it yourself as well. Car history checks will give you an idea of the running costs of a car, its MOT history, mileage, if it’s ever been written off and most importantly it’s legal status.
There are a loads of websites to choose from like https://cazana.com/uk. This website also shows you the previous times a car has been on sale and a valuation of how much the car is worth giving you a good indication if you are paying too much for it.
This may cost you a little bit now but will save you money in the long run.
Test Drive
Don’t forget to test drive it. Take a family member or friend with you for a second opinion here. Always start the car when it’s cold and when driving make sure the brakes, gears, suspension and steering are all working fine and listen out for any strange sounds.
Before you sign anything, negotiate the price with the dealer, they will be expecting this. Of course if you currently own a car can you trade it in for credit against the new car and negotiate this price too. Never take the first offer.
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