Tips on buying a used car

Although the government’s ongoing car scrappage scheme has been welcomed by many industry groups and has been viewed as a boost for the motor industry for many consumers it has made little difference to their ability to get a new vehicle. Whilst the scheme offers up to £2000 towards a new car if the consumer scraps their old vehicle, subject to eligibility criteria, the consumer still has to find at least another several thousand pounds to purchase the new car, and in the current climate this isn’t always easy of even possible.

It is little wonder therefore that the second hand car market is still booming, and many people who need to purchase their first vehicle or a new vehicle end up browsing publications such as the Bargain Pages or checking internet sites to see what sorts of bargains are available from used car dealers or even from private sellers. However, buying a used car can be a tricky job, as you never know what you will actually end up with and you have little comeback of something goes wrong.

There are, however, some tips that can help to boost your chances of getting a decent vehicle even if you are on a very tight budget. Some people have found that they got more joy out of the nine year old car that they picked up for under a thousand pounds than their friends have had from a vehicle that is only a few years old and cost them several thousand pounds, so don’t assume that the higher the price the more reliable the vehicle.

Take someone along

It isn’t always possible for everyone but for those lucky enough to have friends or family in the car repair trade it is always a good idea to take them along to look at any used car that you are considering. If you cannot find anyone that knows about cars to go with you there is a service available from motoring groups such as the AA where a trained officials can inspect the car before you purchase it, which could save you a lot of hassle and money.

Don’t forget the HPI check

An HPI check can give you a lot of information about a vehicle, such as whether it has been stolen, scrapped, or whether it has been at the centre of insurance claims. Before you make a purchase always run an HPI check on the vehicle so that you know what you are buying. You can do this simply by sending the registration of the vehicle on your mobile phone text service to 83600. You will then receive a message back pretty much right away with details of whether the vehicle has been reported lost, stolen, or scrapped, and whether it has been listed as a CAT C or CAT D write off.

Trade or private?

When buying a second hand car you have the choice of buying from a used car dealer or a private seller. Whilst the choice is always yours many people prefer to go through a used car dealer even though the price may be higher. This is because the dealer has a reputation to keep up so is less likely to sell you something that could be unreliable or even dangerous. Also, some used car dealers offer a warranty even if it is only a few months, which can provide peace of mind.

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