Buying a used vehicle can be a great way to save money, but it’s also important to know what you’re getting into. Many people don’t buy pre-owned vehicles for a lot of reasons, but not knowing the condition of their ‘used’ car is one of them. They might be cheaper than brand-new ones, and some dealerships may try and hide that they’re not as good as new by washing them down and hiding damage with paint jobs.
That’s why it’s important to check a used car’s condition before the purchase. It might be difficult to find the right person to ask, so you can use online resources to do so.
Don’t Take Anything At Face Value When Buying A Used Car
Whether you are searching for car garages Essex or used cars Kent, it’s not worth the risk of buying a used car without completing some checks.
The best resources check the following:
Vehicle Identity Check
You can confirm that the vehicle you’re looking at is really what you want by verifying its identity. Several websites allow you to do this – simply enter the vehicle’s license plate number and the information will be returned to you.
Plate Change
This is the most straightforward way of confirming the identity of a vehicle, and this is what it’s used for by many dealerships. If a dealership has changed the plate on your vehicle and it doesn’t match the plates listed on their records, that usually means that there are problems with the vehicle – such as it being stolen or used as a rental car.
Manufacturer Recalls
If something is wrong with the vehicle, you can check if there’s been a recall on it. Some manufacturers issue recalls every few years to replace parts that are known to be faulty or that are susceptible to failure in certain situations.
Financing
It’s worth checking that there aren’t any debts associated with the vehicle you are purchasing.
Replacement Engine
Has the engine been replaced? It could be a sign that the vehicle was involved in an accident that hasn’t been disclosed.
Confirm The Number Of Owners
This can be a good indicator of the condition of the vehicle. If an owner is moving the vehicle on shortly after purchasing it, you need to ask why.
Trade-in Value
If you are trading in another vehicle to offset the cost of buying your new one, you should check how much value it will be worth.
Stolen Check
Make sure that the vehicle you are buying isn’t on the stolen register or the UK police stolen vehicle database.
Independent Valuation
This has many advantages – you’ll get a professional valuation based on the condition and current mileage.
Write-offs And Scrapped
Find out if the vehicle has been scrapped or written off after a crash.
Check a used vehicle’s condition and make sure that you are getting exactly what you want. Although brand new cars may cost more, the money you save on maintenance may make up for it. The first step in deciding whether to buy used or new is to determine what type of car will best suit your needs and budget.