Second Hand Car Checklist

Buying your first second hand car can be daunting, run down this list to make sure you check for everything you need to make a good purchase.

Buying a second hand car is typically the best way to find a car that you want at an affordable price. Buying a new car has its perks, but if you are looking for the most affordable model, you should begin searching for a second hand car. You will need to make sure that you have complete information on the vehicle before you buy. This checklist will help you cover all of the necessary areas before you purchase a used car.

Research the Type of Car You Want

If you have a specific type of car in mind that you want to buy, now is the time to do some research and find out what these cars are selling for. You can call a used car dealer in your area to check and see how much they are selling that specific car for, and you can also utilise a buyer’s guide that you can find online to help you determine what the market value of the car is.

Once you know what you are looking for, you can then begin to compare prices from car dealers until you find the one that is going to give you the best deal on your new car.

You should also determine if there are any particular features that you prefer the car to have so that you can rule out any vehicles that do not have what you want or need included, e.g., safety features, anti-lock brakes, etc.

Find a Reputable Dealer

The next thing that you will want to do after you have a fair idea of what the car you are looking to buy will cost is to find a good dealer to assist you. Finding the right dealer to buy your second hand car will make a big difference, and there are quite a few places that you can look to purchase your car, e.g., a used car dealer, an online vendor like eBay, or a new car dealer. Often the new car dealers have used cars on the lot as well.

Ask the Right Questions

Once you find a dealer to work with, it is time to find out as much information on your new car as possible. The vehicle should be fully inspected and a detailed report of its history disclosed to you. Without the proper information on the car, you may find out a few surprises later down the road. For instance, if your vehicle has been in numerous wrecks with multiple parts replaced, this could lead to long-term complications down the road for you.

It's easy to overlook somethings when buying a second hand car - have a look at these pointers and make sure to check and ask the questions!

Following is a list of questions to ask your car dealer:

• Has this vehicle been in an accident? If so, how many and where did the damage occur? Has this vehicle undergone extensive bodywork?
• Is the paintwork on any part of the vehicle failing or peeling?
• Is the car rusty around the wheel arches or doors?
• What is the condition of the tyres?
• Do the doors and windows allow for any leaks?
• Has this car’s identity remained the same? What is the VIN number? Has the VIN been altered?
• Are the brakes in good working condition?
• Does the car pull to the right or left side while in motion?
• Are there any petrol leaks?
• What is the mileage on this car and can it be verified?
• Has anything on this vehicle been replaced other than the brakes and tyres?

Vehicle History Information

Once you have all of these questions answered, you will have a clear idea of the history of the car. However, you should still require that your dealer disclose you with a full report indicating the history of the vehicle. If this vehicle is stolen or has been in any accidents, your dealer should notify you up front, as this can cause you quite a bit of hassle if you choose to purchase the vehicle.

Always check who owned the car before you, what kind of repairs it has had and also how many miles the car has been driven.

Before the car was listed for sale, your dealer should have completed several thorough checks to ensure that they have all relevant information on the vehicle to disclose to a new potential owner. If you are working with a reputable dealer, they will be very forthcoming with information on the car’s history.

Verify Mileage History

Another important area to take note of is the mileage history. Sometimes dealers or previous owners will make unlawful adjustments to the odometer to make it seem as though the car has not been driven as frequently as it has. You should physically look for signs that the meter has been tampered with, and you should also discuss the mileage history in depth with your dealer.

Check with Your Car Insurance Company

The last thing that you will want to do before you decide to buy the car is have the mechanical aspects of the vehicle inspected, preferably by a third party not involved with the sale. After your vehicle has been inspected, you should consult with your insurance company to see how much it will cost to add this vehicle to your insurance. If you are looking for a new policy, you can navigate to the homepage of this site to complete a quick comparison to determine which company is offering the most competitive rates on a policy for your new second hand car.