A Guide to Help You Buy Used Cars

Choosing to buy used cars rather than out-of-the-box vehicles can save you thousands of rands. And, if you buy wisely, used cars can offer you the same quality and comfort, meaning you do not have to compromise on what you truly desire.

However, if you are not vigilant and prepared when you buy used cars, you are also exposing yourself to risks. These include being overcharged for the vehicle you get or buying a vehicle with underlying problems that might cost you a lot more in the future. To help you navigate the market when you set out the buy used cars, we have put together a few tips. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it does help to put you in the right mindset to make an informed decision before committing to a purchase:

Set a budget: This might sound obvious, but before you start looking to buy used cars, first determine what your budget is – this can either be a lump sum or an affordable monthly instalment. Remember to take things such as maintenance, insurance, and fuel consumption into consideration.

Do your research: There are a few things for you to read up on. Search for reputable dealers and read testimonials about their service to make sure that they have your best interest at heart. Research the vehicle types you are interested in to make sure you are comparing apples to apples and that you don’t perhaps miss out on an unexpected deal. Research the maintenance of the different models you are interested in to make sure they are affordable and that the necessary service providers are available in your area.

Do comparisons: Unless you regularly buy used cars, you might not recognise a great deal – or a bad one – right away. Take your time to compare different models and different dealerships. You might find the same vehicle at a better price, or at the same price but with lower mileage or a better service plan if you take the time to look around.

Use your head, not your heart: We all dream of a fancy sports coupé or powerful off-road vehicle, but this is not always a practical solution. In addition to the added maintenance costs, models like these may not be practical for city life, long-distance driving, or other requirements you may have.

Keep it mainstream: If you are unsure, or on a tight budget, stick to popular well-known models. Lesser-known models might result in higher maintenance costs or difficulty in sourcing parts.

Put it through its paces: Never buy used cars without test driving them. First, if it is a model you have never driven before, you want to be sure that you are comfortable driving it. Second, you want to make sure that the vehicle is in top condition. Pay careful attention to things such as strange noises (rumbles, knocks or rattles); excessive smoke coming out of the exhaust; and flat spots in the acceleration.

For more tips and advice on how to buy used cars, talk to one of the friendly team members at Atterbury Motors. We are at your service.

5 Things to Look at When You Buy Pre-Owned Cars

You like to use your money wisely. Living costs are on the rise, and you’d rather spend my money on items and experiences that add to the joy in your life, rather than waste it on unnecessarily overpriced expenses. You'd rather buy pre-owned cars that are in excellent condition than drive a brand-new model. It just makes sense – you get all the quality and enjoyment at a much better price.

That said, this could be risky if you do not use a trusted dealer. Make sure that you are getting a great deal and not buying a lemon. To help you make the right choice, look at these things when you buy pre-owned cars:

1.      Compare models and offers. When you are looking to buy pre-owned cars, compare different models and offers to get a feel for market value and what the best offer is you can get for your money. You might find a similar model at the same price, but with lower mileage, or a model that still has some of its service plan left, for example.

2.      Arrange a test drive. Before you buy, test drive the pre-owned cars you are considering as options. Pay attention to the handling of the car, the responsiveness of the brakes, and any other mechanical warning signs, such as overheating.

3.      No smoking allowed. While on your test drive, also pay attention to what is happening behind you … The vehicle should generally not emit visible smoke from the exhaust. If this is the case, it might be a sign of engine damage.

4.      The sound of silence. While you may want to check out the sound system in the car, switch off the radio or music while you are on your test drive. This will allow you to better listen for any tell-tale rattles, rumbles, or knocks that should not be there.

5.      Ask for the service history. One of the best ways to see how well a car was looked after is to check its service history. Ask to see the records and make sure it has been serviced at regular intervals.

If you are looking to buy pre-owned cars, choose a registered dealership with a great reputation, like Atterbury Motors. What’s more, they also buy pre-owned cars and can assist you with the sale or trade-in of your current vehicle. Contact them today and talk to one of their friendly consultants to find out how they can help you.

Where to Find the Best Cars for Sale in Pretoria

Not all motor vehicles are created equal and neither are the dealerships that sell them. A new vehicle is a huge investment and most of us take our time to properly research and contemplate our options before we make the final choice. And this is important. Just as important is taking the same care when selecting a car dealership. If you are looking at cars for sale in Pretoria, we suggest that you consider Atterbury Motors.

We go out of our way to offer our clients the best options and deals on cars for sale in Pretoria. Here are some of the reasons why you should make us your dealership of choice:

We Work to Meet Your Needs

We don’t only offer cars for sale in Pretoria; we deliver a full, value-add service to our customers. You are welcome to browse our showroom in Wonderboom South in Pretoria or online to view our top selection of cars for sale. We take great care to select only quality vehicles that meet our stringent criteria in order to provide you with a choice of top-class, reliable vehicles. In addition, we encourage you to speak to one of our professional consultants about what exactly it is that you are looking for and they will go out of their way to find you the perfect match for your needs. We also accept trade-ins and will aim to provide you with a highly competitive price for your vehicle through our connections within our dealer network.

We Are A Trusted, Registered Dealer

We value our customers and therefore make sure we only employ exemplary individuals who share our customer-service mindset and our core values such as honesty and integrity. To further strengthen our product and service offering, as well as provide transparency and guarantee a great standard of service, we are members of a number of organisations that governs the motor trade industry. We are a member of the BlueChip Independent Dealer Network and registered with the IDA (Independent Dealer Association) and the MIO TPP (Motor Industry Ombudsman – Transaction Protection Project).

Convenience – Finance

We offer an in-house finance and insurance service – Atterbury Motors Finance and Insurance Business Managers – which is registered with the Financial Services Board (FSB) to make the process of buying a vehicle as quick, efficient, and easy as possible for you. Furthermore, we also have dealer codes with all major financial institutions to ensure timely processing of finance applications.

If you are looking at cars for sale in Pretoria, start your search at Atterbury Motors.