How to Buy a Used Car

A used car is a great first purchase for those who are looking for a mode of transport and do not want to spend too much. Most cars are very durable and can easily work for a good 10 years. Also, used cars do not cost as much as new cars and can be bought at low prices. Many people who wish to practice driving often go for used cars, so that they can gain confidence and then invest in a new car. Let’s see how you can go about buying a used car. In this articleBefore You Look for a Used CarWhat to Look for in a Used Car Before You Look for a Used Car Before you begin looking for a used car, you must sit down and decide why you need this car. Is it for daily usage or for the occasional weekend getaway? Different cars suit different types of people, and therefore ample research needs to be done before you invest in a car. For example, if you need a car for long distances, then you need to look for car models that give you good mileage. After all, you do not want a car that will end up burning a hole in your pocket. Similarly, if long distances are not the case, then you can go for a car that looks attractive and also has a lot of safety features. If you have a large family, then invest in a bigger car. If you are looking for a car for your teenager, then there are many well-maintained cars, mainly hatchbacks, which are available in the used cars market. Once you have short-listed the kind of car you are looking for, you can ask friends or relatives if they know of anybody selling a used car. This is probably the best way to go about it as often used cars are no good. Having a common friend drastically reduces the chances of getting a raw deal. Also, there are chances that you may get the car at a lower price. What to Look for in a Used Car There are many things you must keep in mind before you purchase a used car. Enquire about the mileage. This is a must even if mileage is not a priority on your list. Some cars are gas guzzlers and you may end up spending a lot more than you planned to on petrol or diesel. And if possible, test the car’s mileage by driving it for a while. This may be a bit difficult if you do not know the owner personally. Also enquire about the mileage of the car model in general. Check the kilometres covered by the car. Though it is not really an indication of the car’s quality, it does tell you how much life the car has left in it. For example, 40,000 km in one year tells you that the driver has driven it a lot. Check the chassis for dents and rust. You may have to take a very close look as most cover-up and paint jobs today are very precise and are good at camouflaging wear and tear. Plus car owners looking to sell the car hide such dents so that they get a higher price. Ask the owner why he is selling the car. Most answers should be genuine, and you can see if it works for you. Check the tyres. You can negotiate with the owner to replace them if they are too worn. Also start up the car and go for a drive with the owner, and enquire about any doubts you may have about the performance. If you do not know much about cars, take along a friend who can inform you about the car’s performance. Check the papers of the car. This is a very important task. Make sure all the papers are in order, and has the seal of all local road authorities. Also ask for the maintenance book, if possible. Owners who take care of their cars usually maintain a log of work done on the car. Get the car checked by a mechanic. Also enquire with the owner if he knows of any current problems with the car. Thus, you can go ahead and get yourself a good used car with these tips in mind. Go ahead and enjoy your long drives!

A used car is a great first purchase for those who are looking for a mode of transport and do not want to spend too much. Most cars are very durable and can easily work for a good 10 years. Also, used cars do not cost as much as new cars and can be bought at low prices. Many people who wish to practice driving often go for used cars, so that they can gain confidence and then invest in a new car. Let’s see how you can go about buying a used car.

Before You Look for a Used Car

Before you begin looking for a used car, you must sit down and decide why you need this car. Is it for daily usage or for the occasional weekend getaway? Different cars suit different types of people, and therefore ample research needs to be done before you invest in a car. For example, if you need a car for long distances, then you need to look for car models that give you good mileage. After all, you do not want a car that will end up burning a hole in your pocket. Similarly, if long distances are not the case, then you can go for a car that looks attractive and also has a lot of safety features. If you have a large family, then invest in a bigger car. If you are looking for a car for your teenager, then there are many well-maintained cars, mainly hatchbacks, which are available in the used cars market. Once you have short-listed the kind of car you are looking for, you can ask friends or relatives if they know of anybody selling a used car. This is probably the best way to go about it as often used cars are no good. Having a common friend drastically reduces the chances of getting a raw deal. Also, there are chances that you may get the car at a lower price.

What to Look for in a Used Car

There are many things you must keep in mind before you purchase a used car.

• Enquire about the mileage. This is a must even if mileage is not a priority on your list. Some cars are gas guzzlers and you may end up spending a lot more than you planned to on petrol or diesel. And if possible, test the car’s mileage by driving it for a while. This may be a bit difficult if you do not know the owner personally. Also enquire about the mileage of the car model in general.
• Check the kilometres covered by the car. Though it is not really an indication of the car’s quality, it does tell you how much life the car has left in it. For example, 40,000 km in one year tells you that the driver has driven it a lot.
• Check the chassis for dents and rust. You may have to take a very close look as most cover-up and paint jobs today are very precise and are good at camouflaging wear and tear. Plus car owners looking to sell the car hide such dents so that they get a higher price.
• Ask the owner why he is selling the car. Most answers should be genuine, and you can see if it works for you.
• Check the tyres. You can negotiate with the owner to replace them if they are too worn. Also start up the car and go for a drive with the owner, and enquire about any doubts you may have about the performance. If you do not know much about cars, take along a friend who can inform you about the car’s performance.
• Check the papers of the car. This is a very important task. Make sure all the papers are in order, and has the seal of all local road authorities. Also ask for the maintenance book, if possible. Owners who take care of their cars usually maintain a log of work done on the car.
• Get the car checked by a mechanic. Also enquire with the owner if he knows of any current problems with the car.

Thus, you can go ahead and get yourself a good used car with these tips in mind. Go ahead and enjoy your long drives!