Looking to Buy A Second-Hand Car? Avoid These 5 Common Mistakes!

Buying a used car can save you money. This is especially true because brand-new vehicles are expensive and lose a lot of their value as soon as they are driven off the shop floor. Whether you are buying your first car or need to look at some of the second-hand cars for sale to replace your old vehicle, choosing well is important. There are many second-hand cars for sale privately and from dealers and you need to know your needs before you start looking, or you could lose a lot of money. There are, however, some common mistakes that people often make during the selection process. Here are some of the most common pitfalls to avoid when you decide to opt for a second-hand car:

1.     Failing to arrange the financing beforehand: If you have saved up enough cash to purchase your vehicle outright, you are fortunate. It is, however, quite difficult to do so for a lot of people. Vehicles are expensive and the more recent the model is, the more it will cost. Therefore, it is necessary that you have an accurate indication of how much you can spend before you start shopping for used vehicles. If you have to apply for vehicle financing, it is important to line up several financing options, because some of them will provide you with better deals than others. Often dealerships will take advantage of the excitement a customer feels when they see all the second-hand cars for sale on their shop floor and arrange vehicle financing through their own financial-services providers, but these financing options often charge hefty interest rates and may have other unnecessary costs added on. Ensure that you shop around for a good financing deal even before you start looking for cars.

2.     Going over budget: Once you have lined up your financing, you will know exactly how much credit you qualify for and how much you can spend. Keep in mind that you have to pay for servicing, maintenance, fuel, and insurance as well, so these must be included in the total repayments of the vehicle, not just the instalment. Do not get over-excited and go over budget – it could cost you dearly in the long run if you can only just manage the payments. If you default, it will ultimately affect your credit score. Always go with what you can afford and no more!

3.     Not doing a test drive: It seems like an obvious thing to do, but many people still forego the chance of taking the vehicle out for a test drive if the car looks good to them. You need to know how the vehicle drives and you have to check whether it suits your needs. It is also an opportunity to check that the vehicle is running properly, that the brakes work, and that there are no odd noises or rattles.

4.     Not having the vehicle checked out by an expert: This is especially important if you are purchasing a second-hand car for sale from a private individual or a small-time dealership. While the current owner might make many promises about maintenance and roadworthiness and state unequivocally that the vehicle has not been in an accident, you still have to confirm that the vehicle is indeed in good condition. People who are trying to get rid of a lemon will promise the earth and it is up to you to have the vehicle checked out by a professional to ensure that all is in order before you pay even a cent!

5.     Failing to check the paperwork: It is vital that the vehicle is roadworthy and that it has all the necessary paperwork to prove that it has not been stolen or put together from a variety of stolen or written-off vehicles. The service record is also important. Check out the number of previous owners as well. Often dealerships will do these checks, but if you purchase a vehicle from a private individual, the purchaser will often have to pay for these checks. Do not cut corners here – it is vital that all second-hand cars for sale have the correct paperwork and certificates.

For trustworthy second-hand cars for sale that you can buy with peace mind, contact our sales team at Atterbury Motors.

3 Advantages of Purchasing Vehicles through Car Dealerships vs. Private Sellers

When purchasing a used vehicle, people are often indecisive about whom they should purchase their vehicles from. It can be challenging to decide whether to go for a private seller or a dealership purchase. Here are some of the main benefits of purchasing a used vehicle through a dealership rather than from a private seller.

1.     Car dealerships have to follow the rules: Private sellers are usually cheaper, but you have little recourse when you purchase a vehicle from them as is and the vehicle is a lemon. The onus of getting the paperwork, roadworthiness certificate, ownership records, and various other pieces of paperwork also usually rests on the buyer and this may cost additional money and take valuable time. Dealerships, however, do this for you and deal with the paperwork to ensure that the vehicle is licensed and registered to the new owner upon transfer. While the vehicle may cost a little more, the seller does not have to deal with the red tape.

2.     Legislative compliance: It is illegal for car dealerships to sell a vehicle that is defective. The Consumer Act prevents this from happening and provides a buyer with recourse when something goes wrong with the vehicle within a certain space of time. There are certain stipulations that have to be followed and certain things that have to be checked, such as the state of the suspension, oil leaks, or brakes that are not working properly. It will allow the buyer to demand that the car dealership fixes it or face legal action This means that usually, great care is taken to ensure that the vehicle is in good working order, and that there are no structural damage or faults with the vehicle.

3.     Car dealerships have reputations to protect: No car dealership wants to be known as the dodgiest dealers on the block and most of them work very hard to ensure that they provide good vehicles, great customer service, and the necessary support where needed. If there are any repercussions or backlashes from customers, it damages their reputation and this results in fewer sales. This is why most car dealerships do their best to provide good deals and good service. Private sellers, however, do not have the same problem. Once the vehicle is sold, it is sold, and their reputation doesn’t much matter because they don’t earn their income from selling used vehicles.

If you are looking for car dealerships that you can trust, give our team at Atterbury Motors a call today!

How to Make Informed Decisions When Browsing Through at All Those Used Cars for Sale

People often opt for one of the many used cars offered for sale because they have too little money for a brand-new car. While a new vehicle might have a warranty, it loses value fast. This is why it is good to consider used cars instead of new ones. They are cheaper, so try to find a reputable dealership that offers high-quality used cars for sale. It can be difficult to make a choice between all the different vehicles for sale and it is important to make informed decisions about the vehicle you buy. Here are tips that may help you in your choice of a used car:

·         Do research: If you like a particular make and model, or have a specific vehicle in mind, do some research to determine about how much you can expect to pay for it. Various factors affect the price of the vehicle – the year of manufacture, the odometer reading, the body’s condition, and its fuel consumption. Get a general idea of the market value of several of these vehicles so that you know how much to spend.

·         Get your payment arranged up front: Sometimes, you see a good deal but if you do not have the financing ready and stand to lose out on the best cars for sale to other buyers who already have their finance pre-approved. Arranging finance also provides you with an indication of how much you can spend, so you know in which price brackets to shop.

·         Get the vehicle’s history: A good car dealership will be able to produce information about the car’s history, such as the number of owners, its service history, repairs that have been carried out in the past, and any potential problems. You may be able to negotiate a discount on a vehicle that is not in tip-top condition, or you may be able to pay less for the vehicle if certain parts have to be replaced. Just ensure that the vehicle is thoroughly checked out by a professional.

·         Don’t settle: Don’t just go for any car for sale just because you are getting tired of looking. Finding the ideal vehicle can take time and settling for something that is not entirely suitable or in great condition may bring you a lot of heartache later.

If you need some more advice on how to choose from all the different used cars for sale on the market, speak to our consultants at Atterbury Motors. We can help you to make a more informed decision.