Six Techniques To Buy A Used Vehicle

By Ethan Melandri

Buying a used car when the process is unfamiliar can seem a bit intimidating. The fact that there are sellers out there that are not completely honest can make it more difficult for the inexperienced purchaser. Preparing to purchase a used car will yield a bargain you can rightfully take advantage of.

Before setting out to buy a used car sit down and work out your finances to know exactly how much you can afford to spend on this new purchase. It is important to also consider the running costs, including fuel, insurance and servicing and remember to factor in the additional cost of loan repayments if you are looking to raise additional finance to make the purchase.

Your budget is the beginning of what you need to know before purchasing a vehicle. You need to use your financial statements to figure the top purchase price you are willing to spend. The price of a vehicle is dependent on certain factors: the mileage, age, and model. An older vehicle will be less than a 2009 model. The top financial number once obtained will allow you to use magazines, newspapers, and the internet to narrow down the available vehicles for you.

Anticipation may encourage you to view a vehicle, but before you make the appointment there are some research aspects you need to do. You will need to explore what other sellers are offering the same vehicle for by looking at the price, mileage, and condition. Also find out if there are any additions to the car such as alloy wheels, CD changer, or turbo charger. The lack of extras on a vehicle you are thinking about purchasing can help you negotiate the price.

Don't be rushed when checking out the car, and never view one in the rain as it can hide a myriad of bodywork problems. If you are not very mechanically minded consider taking along a friend who is, or arrange for an inspection company to check out the vehicle, and make sure you carry out a HPI check to ensure the car has not been written off, stolen or still owing finance.

Test drives on any vehicle should take twenty minutes. While driving the car check the gearbox, steering, and listen for any noises. The gears should transition smoothly. For steering the vehicle should stay straight on the road. During the drive do an emergency check of the brakes.

If you decide to purchase the used car you need to remain firm, but considerate. Do not allow anyone to exert pressure on the deal. When you begin the bargaining offer a lower price than what you want for the car. You can increase the price later in the discussion if it is warranted. You also want to mention any issues you found during the drive and inspection to help decide a price.

With the deal done, the seller will need to send off the V5 vehicle registration form with your new details and make sure you get a proper receipt as proof of the sale. It is also a good idea to consider taking out a warranty at this stage, because whilst they might seem expensive it will normally pay for itself within one claim, and you can enjoy some carefree motoring in your new car. - 21396

About the Author:

When purchasing a used car you want to try and find one that has all of the expensive optional extras included. However don't worry if the car of your dreams does not have Xenon Lights as you can easily upgrade them yourself with the latest Xenon Headlight Bulbs, they are simple and easy to fit and will give your car are modern look.