When it comes to buying a new used car, there are equal amounts of excitement and trepidation. If you’re confident when it comes to cars and know exactly what a crankshaft is, you’re likely to know all the things to ask when buying a used car. If you’re a car novice, it might be a more stressful experience.
Whether you see it as a joy or necessity, you need to make sure your next car is the right choice. One way of ensuring this is to compile a solid list of questions and ideas of what to look for.
You’ll want to get the right car at the right price and avoid buying something that doesn’t match your needs or is unreliable. You don’t want to face too many problems once you have taken ownership.
Do your research
When it comes to buying a used car, having a list of questions to ask won’t quite be enough. You’ll need to do some more research to understand why you’re asking them. The more research you do beforehand, the better chance of getting the right answers.
You won’t have to spend your spare time visiting loads of car showrooms to do this research. You’ll be able to find most of the information you need about any car on the internet. If you have an idea of what kind of car you want, or have come across one for sale that you won’t want to miss out on, have a look at similar cars that have sold second hand in the last year or so.
Getting a feel for the condition and price a car sells for, with different specifications and mileage, will help put you in a much stronger position to evaluate it once you see it in the flesh. Resale prices tend to be quite consistent, so a bargain (or a rip off) will be obvious.
While doing your research on buying a used car, you could ask the following questions:
Is the car available for a cheaper price somewhere else?
It’s easy to think the first one you see is perfect, but don’t be in a rush to part with your hard-earned cash. A virtually identical car could be for sale significantly cheaper – or with less mileage – a relatively short drive away.
Supply and demand can fluctuate even within a quite small geographical area. A bit of legwork shopping around can help make sure you’re not missing a cracking deal somewhere else.
Will the seller take a lower price?
If you’ve seen a car advertised at a certain price, don’t assume it’s the lowest the seller will take for it. Many dealers and private sellers will expect to receive offers, so you may find just asking if they’ll take less will instantly save you money.
Since you’re probably handing over a sizeable sum, it’s worth getting it right. There’s an art to this negotiation tactic:
- You don’t need to go in guns blazing like a bad Apprentice candidate.
- Don’t be afraid to walk away if the price isn’t right.
- You can always change your mind and go back.
If you do leave a negotiation without a deal, then you should get a clear sense of their lowest price. This can help when you’re looking at similar cars.
How much does this car sell for when it’s new?
You might find it useful to check out the same model of car when it’s brand new. Doing this will give you a much clearer sense of the quality of second-hand models you view.
If you take it for a test drive, you’ll also get a feel for the car and maybe even find out some useful tidbits from the salespeople who are trying to reel you in.
How much will the car cost to insure?
Look into which insurance group your car belongs to. Premiums can fluctuate wildly depending on this. Don’t forget that the price you pay for the car will be compounded by annual insurance costs – for as long as you own it. The true cost of the vehicle will be both the initial outlay and the insurance, so make sure you’re happy with these estimated prices.
If you need insurance to take the vehicle out for a test drive or want to pick it up while considering your options for an annual policy, you can consider temporary car insurance. With Tempcover, you’ll get fully flexible and comprehensive cover that won’t affect the owner’s no claims discount. Perfect for a test drive.
Does the car really suit your needs?
We’re often predisposed to see the positives when viewing a new car, especially if it looks – and smells – good. Features can be appealing, especially if they weren’t things you were already thinking about.
For instance, a great sound system can be really impressive, and listening to music can put you in a relaxed mood, giving off positive vibes about the vehicle. This can also be a distraction – especially when it comes to what you will use the vehicle for.
Think through all the practical things you need – better yet, make a list so you can tick them off. If the boot size won’t cope with your daily needs, then it doesn’t matter how good the stereo is.
Should you take some time to think over this purchase?
Making an impulse purchase is a very human thing to do. We’ve all been there, as all the boxes seem ticked and finally – FINALLY – you’ve found it. Sometimes this is exactly the right thing to do. You could lose a good deal by being too cautious.
It’s worth considering sleeping on a decision. This will help make sure your gut instinct agrees with your head. If you wake up in the morning and everything feels right, then go for it. If you’re not sure, it might be worth a second viewing, or a chance to view other cars to compare it to. Missing out on a great car is on the whole not as bad as buying a stinker.
It might be worth asking the seller for 24 hours to think over your decision and create a used car checklist. Were you comfortable driving it? Can you afford the insurance? Does it have enough room for you and all your passengers?
In some cases, if you happen to find the car of your dreams then you may be able to drive it home the same day with drive away insurance. This option provides you with enough cover to get behind the wheel and take your new purchase home before you have had the chance to get an annual policy in place.
Can you afford this car?
Whether you’re paying outright or through used car finance, you need to be sure that you can afford it. As mentioned before there are additional costs and implications to consider, such as insurance and road tax. Others include how much the car will depreciate over time, and how much it costs to run.
Many younger drivers, including students who have just passed their test, are in the market for used cars. This is because used cars tend to be cheaper but there’s still the issue of finding an insurance policy that’s within budget. Generally, students are younger and will be less experienced than seasoned drivers, but if you’re using the vehicle sparingly then short-term student car insurance could help.
Falling in love with a car, or simply feeling desperate and wanting the search to be over, can both cloud your judgement and make it tempting to stretch yourself. But there will always be another car around the corner to fit your needs. It’s true what they say: buy in haste, repent at leisure.
