Buying a used car is a great option for those looking to upgrade their vehicle on a budget. You can get some really fantastic used automobiles with minimal wear and tear that are still in good condition.
However, if you are not careful and aren’t paying attention, you’re also as likely to end up with a decrepit car that might not be working as expected, meaning more money and hassle on repairs and servicing.
To make sure you get the best deal when buying a used car, here are some things you need to avoid and mistakes that you should be aware of.
Paying for your car with monthly repayments
When buying a used car, you need to consider the finances of your deal and work out how you’re going to afford it. Many people buy their used cars through monthly repayments, and although this can make the car more affordable than paying outright, it can cause problems.
One problem is that these repayments might be significantly affecting your budget, making it hard to pay your other expenses and bills.
You can always lower your monthly repayments, but then this leads to the other problem of making the repayment term longer, which also means you spend more in the long run.
If you can, it’s always best to save up and pay for your used car outright, but if this isn’t an option you can always lease it too.
It’s worth mentioning that not every dealership offers leases and not every used car can be leased.
The conditions a car has to meet are usually that it’s certified pre-owned, that the mileage is under 48,000 and that the vehicle is no older than four years old. To search for used cars, visit sites like AutoUncle.
Don’t forget to test drive
A test drive is an essential part of the used car-buying process as it allows the driver to get a feel for the car and how it works and also enables you to figure out if there are any faults.
Amazingly, almost 20% of used car buyers fail to test drive the car they’re interested in, meaning that more drivers experience buyer’s remorse due to simply not testing the vehicle
It’s vital that you test a few used cars before buying and thoroughly check them out, so that you have that prior knowledge needed to make an informed purchase decision.
If you’re at a dealership that refuses a test drive, it’s usually an indication that there’s something up with the car and that they shouldn’t be trusted.
Don’t forget to have it checked by a mechanic
As well as test driving a used car, it’s also a good deal to have it checked by a mechanic before finalizing a deal. This is because a mechanic will be able to find out if there are any issues with the car and can even give you an estimated cost of fixing them, to allow you to make a more informed purchasing decision.
Even if you have to pay for the mechanical inspection yourself, doing this can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.
