What To Think Before Purchasing
When buying a used car, it’s good to be prepared and aware of what to look out for to help make sure you find the right car for you. In the following post, we’ll cover some of the aspects of buying a used car and what you need to keep an eye out for when purchasing, so read on if you’d like to know more.
Whether It Fits Your Criteria
When looking around at used cars, you need to have an idea of the kind of car you want to buy as well as the criteria it needs to match. Try coming up with a list of features you want from your car to help you narrow down the search. If you’re buying a used car online, many online dealerships allow you to filter your search to cars that have the specific features you’re looking for, saving you time and making the process simpler. You should also do some research into the kinds of cars that will have what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re looking for a premium hatchback, you could consider a car such as a Mercedes A-Class or a BMW Series 1, which you could find from experts such as JJ Premium Cars. If you’re looking for an offroad SUV, you could consider something like a Jeep Wrangler or Toyota Land Cruiser.
Condition Of Paintwork And Bodywork
Ideally, it’s best to view used cars in person to make sure they match any online descriptions and to inspect the car yourself. If you’re not confident with knowing what to look out for when viewing a car, then consider taking a family member or friend who is so that they can help you. One of the first things you’ll notice when looking at a car is whether the bodywork and paintwork are in good enough condition. If there are signs of rusting on the metalwork and flaking paint, this shows there is more substantial wear and tear on the car. Also, look out for things such as whether the pieces of bodywork fit well together and whether there are any gaps, dents, or markings that would need correcting as these should be factored into the price of the car.
Condition Of The Tyres
As tyres can be costly to replace when the time comes, it’s another thing you need to check when buying a used car. Take a close look at the condition of the tyres and aspects such as how worn the tread is. If the tyres are worn down significantly and due to be replaced, this will also need to be considered and the price reduced accordingly. Signs of wear in the tread on certain areas of the tyres can also be a sign of poor alignment of the car, which is where it can pull to the left or right whilst driving and is also something that would need to be corrected.
Look At The Engine
As well as looking around the outside of the car, open up the bonnet and look at the condition of the engine. The engine is one of the most important aspects of a car, so it should be in good condition. Look for warning signs such as leaking fluid, damaged hoses, and belts in poor condition. If there are puddles forming under the car when it’s stationary, this can be an indication that there is a leak in the engine. You can also inspect things such as the dipsticks, whether there is enough oil in the car and whether it’s in good condition. If you want to be extra careful before buying a used car, you can have an inspection carried out on it by a trained technician who can help you identify any potential issues that would need correcting if you were to buy it. As long as the issues aren’t too serious, this can then be used as a bargaining tool to reduce the price of the car with the owner/salesperson.
Check The Vehicle History
When buying a used car, especially if you’re buying it privately, you should carry out checks into the vehicle’s history. This will allow you to find out whether the car has been involved in any crimes or whether it’s been stolen to be sold on. You can search for a certain vehicle online to find out more about its history. Other ways to tell if a car may have been stolen include the owner only wanting to accept a cash payment, meeting a location that isn’t their place of residence, and keys that are not original to the car and could have been made as copies. There could also be suspicious entries in the vehicle history records, such as missing periods of ownership and a lack of up-to-date history. You should also be able to see the name of the last recorded owner, the mileage of the car, and when it was last sold.
