The majority of Australian motorists buy second-hand when looking to acquire a vehicle and when you consider the cost of a new car, it is hardly surprising that used cars are more popular. In this short article, we present a few top tips from experienced auto traders for those who are looking to buy a used vehicle.
- Always test-drive a car you are interested in buying – The only way to get a feel of a car is to drive it; this is an opportunity to check the brakes, steering, acceleration, indicators, lights, climate control and many other things. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, talk to the seller, as this gives you leverage for negotiating a lower price.
- Hire a local mechanic – This is especially important if your knowledge of cars is limited; a mechanic would give the car a complete inspection and their professional opinion regarding the real value of the vehicle. Then you can move ahead with some confidence, knowing that the car is sound and has no issues.
- Check the service history of the car – If the seller uses the best car detailing Adelaide has to offer, the car probably has a full service history, known as FSH in the trade. Check the rear section of the owner’s manual, where all service details are recorded, together with the garage stamp to show its authenticity.
- Check the underside for signs of rust – Check the wheel arches and the underneath of the chassis, looking for signs of rust, as this is likely with older vehicles. Some sellers carry out surface work to hide rust damage, which can easily be spotted by someone who knows their cars.
- Ask to see all maintenance and repair receipts – The seller would keep all the paperwork connected to vehicle maintenance and they should present the receipts to a potential buyer. If, for example, the car has recently undergone bodywork repairs, you should be informed and shown the paperwork.
- Inspect the exterior and interior closely, looking for minor issues – Make a list of minor issues you find and this will give you some leverage for negotiation, scratches, dings and small dents will help you get the price down. If the interior is dirty, ask the seller to put the car through a detailing from a local provider prior to accepting the vehicle, which will give you a clean start, so to speak.
- Check trade books for a rough value estimation – There are trade manuals that will tell you the value of all makes and models, with 3 levels, excellent, average and poor condition. This will give you a ballpark figure to compare with the asking price the seller is looking for.
If you buy a used car from a dealership, you should get some form of warranty, whereas buying from a private seller typically means ‘sold as seen’ with no warranty. Also, when buying from a dealership, you should be able to part exchange your car as partial payment.
Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.