The essential considerations when buying a used car

9.7.3 The essential considerations when buying a used car

If you're going to buy a used car in the coming weeks and months, you could find yourself under immense pressure to remember everything you need to check out before buying it. Luckily, with these top tips, you should be able to amble into any dealer and make the right choice for you without worrying about overlooking something important.

Firstly, you must thoroughly research the car you want. It needs to be reliable, practical and ultimately affordable to run over the long term, so check if your budget will extend to the type of fuel you will have to use, as well as the tax insurance and general maintenance costs over a period of months and years. Old used cars may need further repair work down the line, so factor that in too. Some, like Evans Halshaw used cars may go through an intensive pre-sale assessment to spot any maintenance problems, but always check as some dealers may not offer this service. Car insurance policies may also reveal further hidden costs, so look on a few price comparison websites to check any possible surcharges.

Buying used cars privately can often turn out a few more surprises; while it's the cheapest way to buy a used car, there is also a good chance that you could get a dodgy offering which could hit your wallet big time in the long run. Also consider that a dealer may offer a warranty, fit new tyres, and give 12 months of MOT and tax. Professional dealers are also just as likely to haggle, so consider this when heading into even the most upmarket of outfits.

Third on your list of things to do is to scrutinise all documentation. Check the current and previous MOT certificates as well as the V5 document, which shows the registered keeper and not the legal owner. From here, conduct a vehicle background check to ensure that the used car does not have outstanding finance, has been stolen or is an insurance write-off. These can cause all kinds of problems in the future should one of the three be true.

Finally, bring a friend, even if you know a lot about cars. When you go, view the car in good light and test-drive it before committing yourself to it. Here, you can discover rattles, mismatched panels and colour problems on the bodywork.

Don't jump head-first into a car purchase. While you may find yourself really wanting - even desperate for - a used motor, it is a big purchase that requires plenty of forethought. Be confident, relaxed and happy with your investment by being considerate first.