3 Things to Look For When Buying a Used Car

We all know there is an element of risk involved when buying a used car, and we can greatly reduce the chances of buying a dud by following certain principles. The problem with a second-hand car is we have little idea as to the history of the vehicle, and with dubious persons who make a living disguising inferior cars to look like bargains, one had to be very careful when venturing into the used car market. Here are 3 things that should be in place when investing in a used car.

  1. Vehicle Warranty – Forget buying from a private seller, as you will not have a warranty on the vehicle. It is imperative to have the peace of mind that a warranty brings, even if it is only 6 months, and with Canberra car dealers, you can be sure of a fair warranty. Of course, the private seller will tell you that the car is in great condition, but what happens if you go ahead with the purchase and a few days later, the engine develops a serious issue? It isn’t worth the risk to buy a car with zero warranty, so stick to established car dealers. Any car dealer that will not give you some form of warranty should be avoided, as the risks are high that something could go wrong with the car after the deal is done.
  1. Full Service History – Known as FSH in the auto trade, a full service history is hard evidence that a vehicle has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you are looking to buy a used car, insist on seeing the rear section of the owner’s manual, where you will find all the details of the car’s service history. To be sure, you should not consider buying a car that does not have a full service history, especially as there are so many that do. Of course, a car with a full service history would be priced accordingly, and the older the car is, the more important is the service history. When you won a car, always have it serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, otherwise the value of the vehicle will be affected, and the garage that carries out any service will always put their official stamp in the vehicle owner’s manual, as evidence.
  1. Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection – If you knowledgeable about cars, then you can do the inspection, which should include a test drive, which gives you the opportunity to test road handling, acceleration and braking. If you are not confident carrying out a vehicle inspection, there are mechanics who, for a small fee, will give the car a thorough examination and supply you with a detailed written report. Any issues should be pointed out to the seller, which should result in some form of discount, or an agreement to repair the issue prior to selling the car.

If you follow the above advice, you are greatly reducing the risk of buying a car that is either overpriced or is inferior in some respect. The best place to start you quest for the perfect car is your local used car dealer, who would have a range of quality used cars that have a fair warranty.

5/5 - (1 vote)