Buying a second hand car in North Devon
Before You Go Looking
The second-hand market has never been so good when it comes to buying a used car. So before you start looking, have a clear goal in mind.
1) Why are you buying a car? There’s no point coming back home with a fantastic two-seater sports car if your wife is just about to give birth! Think about what your requirements are going to be. Will you need lots of seating? Large trunk-space? Tow-bar? Sit down and write down exactly what you’re looking for in a car, and be realistic.
It’s a buyers market out there and cars that you dreamed of owning when you were a kid have suddenly become very affordable - now that dream is close to becoming a reality.
2)What is your budget? Whether you have £10,000 or just £100, be realistic about what you’re going to get, and remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is! It’s wise, if possible, to set aside about £500 of your budget for any problems that may come to light within the first few months of owning your used car. Stick to your budget! If you overstretch then you leave nothing in the pot for repairs that could arise!
3)How expensive are spare parts? There are some great cars on the second-hand market, and it’s
possible to pick-up an Audi in reasonably nice condition for less than £500, but check how much it’s going to cost to service, as well as the cost of parts. Usually, the more expensive the car was when new, the more it’s going to cost you keeping it maintained. Owning a second-hand luxury car has nothing to do with the purchase price! It’s possible to get some great deals on top-of-the-range BMWs, Mercedes, and Audis from the late 90's for less then £1000. However, keeping these types of cars on the road can be very expensive! Still, it’s a process we must all go through before realising that the best second-hand buy is one which comes cheaply, and one that enables you to get away without spending a penny on it for a year. At the end of the year, if it passes its’ MOT, then that’s a bonus, but if it should fail miserably, then at least you can scrap it and buy another.
4)What is the insurance going to cost? These days it’s not uncommon for the insurance to cost more than the value of the car! Check online first - this way you won't be disappointed when you find a great car only to realise that it’s going to cost you £2000 to insure it.
With the explosion of the Internet there has never been more ways to buy a used car, but before you go out and part with your hard-earned money, prepare yourself so that you don't fall foul to the car-sharks out there patrolling the waters looking for vulnerable first-time-buyers, and on occasion, seasoned buyers too!
5)Make sure it has a long MOT. If you buy a car with a short MOT, then get it checked before you buy! MOT failure can cost thousands depending on the problem, and can often result in writing-off an older car. A short MOT can often mean that the owner is aware of problems, and is trying to sell it before the MOT runs out. Oh and just kicking the tyres and poking your head under the bonnet does not constitute a check! The most expensive types of repair can often be hidden from sight, and only come to light when a proper inspection is done.
6) What is the MPG (Miles per Gallon)? Fuel is expensive! It will cost you over £35.00 to fill a Nissan Micra, and the average family saloon will set you back over £60.00 for a full tank, so it’s important that your car can squeeze out as many miles per gallon as possible, otherwise you’ll find yourself constantly driving on the red and with an empty pocket!
7) Depreciation of the car. Depreciation is not as important with used cars as it is with new ones, nevertheless, it should play an important factor when choosing a second-hand car if you’re spending upwards of £6,000 or financing the deal. Cars can lose over £1000 in less than a year, and you could find yourself in a position within a few years where the finance is far more than the value of the car itself. That's the beauty of buying cars for less then £600 - if you can get a year out of a cheap car, then you’re quids-in because you’ve had one year of getting from A to B, being warm and dry, etc. And, what’s more, you’ve had all the convenience of owning a car for less than 1 year’s depreciation, and there’s no other transport that can offer you all the comforts and ease, despite the traffic, for less money.
8) Look at the car during the day. Night can hide many sins, which only come to light in the brightness of the day. Always view a car during the day and make sure that you have insurance to cover taking the car for a test-drive.
9) Use check lists! We all like to think we can remember everything, but the truth is, once you get on the phone and start chatting to the seller, you might forget to ask the right questions or fail to note an important point.
contact us for more information.
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