Classic Car, Old Used Auto Dealers, Best Car Repair Service And Truck Parts - Sc

By Author: Ron Ayers
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10 Things You Must Do When Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can be a hair-raising exercise, but these simple tips will help you find the right car without being ripped off.

1. Budget
Set yourself a stringent budget based on what you can manage. Remember that buying price is just the start though, as there are ongoing running costs like maintenance, fuel, insurance, plus the interest on any car finance used for the purchase to consider.

2. Research
Once you’ve set your proper budget, the internet can help you get an idea of what vehicles are available in your price bracket. There are thousands of cars for sale to choose from, and there’s a helpful value guide to help you know what to spend. Be careful of cars that seem too cheap though. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Refine your search
The Internet enables you to search for models based on make, model, price, body type, age, and location among many other helpful details. Seek advice from our thousands of expert reviews, including used reviews to find out what to look for when cars get a few ...
... years and kilometers under their belt, or our many car guides to assist you with your search.

4. Contact the car seller
But first, jot down a proper list of questions to ask about every car, so you don’t miss anything.
- How long have they owned the car?
- Has the vehicle ever been damaged?
- What is their reason for selling it?
- Will it pass a roadworthy inspection?
- What condition is this car in, and is there any issues not show in the photos?
- How detailed is the vehicle's service history and is it with the car?

5. Arranging an inspection
If the person selling the car is a private party and not a car dealer, insist on inspecting the car at their residential address. If the vendor isn’t ready to show you the car at their residential address, they could be trying to hide something.

6. Check the vehicle’s history
No matter how honest the car seller seems, it pays to check that the vehicle you are inspecting is not stolen, encumbered by an outstanding loan, or even a previous insurance write-off.

7. Checking the car
Even if you’re not a car expert, having a good look over the car in the flesh is very important before agreeing to any purchase. If the car passes your inspection, it's an excellent idea to have a known mechanic or local workshop conduct a more thorough review to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
Here are a few pointers for your inspection:
- always organize inspections during daylight, never in the dark or in the rain that could conceal the body marks, dents, rust and other defects
- check underneath the body, bonnet, and carpet for rust and signs – such as evidence of any welding or paint overspray -- which may indicate the car has been repaired after a crash
- check the gaps between the motor vehicle body panels are equal – if not, this could mean poor crash repairs
- Under the bonnet, look for indications of any oil leaks. Use the dipstick to check the amount of oil. If the level is low, the car owner hasn’t been looking after the car properly
- look at the oil filler cap for a white mayonnaise-like substance - this could be an indication of the leaking head gasket which can be very costly to fix
- check all tires – including the spare – to make sure there’s plenty of threads and that they’re wearing evenly
- inside the car, always make sure the seatbelts work correctly and aren’t damaged, the front seats move properly, and all switches and features work
- Try to start the vehicle when its engine is cold, which can help reveal problems like poor starting or smoke that indicates the engine wear. If the seller has already warmed the vehicle up, they could be trying to hide something.

8. The test drive
Before you set off, turn the steering wheel from one lock to the other to check for any play or any irregular noises that could indicate power steering issues.
- test the car handbrake on a steep hill to ensure it’s perfectly adjusted
- listen for any suspicious noises from the engine, and make sure the radio is off
- drive the car at the highway speeds if possible, and try to find various road surfaces to give a better impression of how the vehicle behaves
- check that the automotive transmission shifts up and down through the gears smoothly and that the clutch on a manual doesn’t slip and actuates smoothly.

9. Price negotiation
There is usually scope for bargaining down from the car seller’s asking price
- Make a list of any faults you discovered during the inspection, and negotiate based on the cost of fixing these problems
- If there are no faults, suggest a plausible figure beneath the asking price. The seller will then either accept, decline or suggest a price closer to the asking value. Work through this process until both parties finally agree.

10. Payment and the paperwork
Always Make sure all the car registration and service history paperwork is in order, and the details match the seller. Also, ensure that you have original versions of everything - never photocopies. If you’re making a payment or even just a deposit, get a receipt and make sure the seller’s full details are on it. Most, if not all state registration papers will include a receipt for this purpose.

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