What to Ask When Buying a Second Hand Car

With many of us feeling a little financially deflated at the moment and the economic situation looking almost apocalyptic if you listen to the Governor of the Bank of England, that is!

It’s understandable that buying a brand new car may not be top of many people’s to-do list in the coming months!

But most of us need a car to get around from A-B, so if you want to save cash, buying a second hand car is undoubtedly the way to go. Around 3.6 million second hand cars are bought each year, with motorists splashing out £24 billion in total.

When looking to buy a used car there are five questions you should always ask though. These will help you avoid being ripped off, or buying a car that just will not last.

5 Questions to Ask When Buying a Second Hand Car:

How much work has it had done on it? A car that has had more work done to it than Katie Price has had is never good news. Always ask for a log book of any work that has taken place and ask relevant questions about what work has exactly been done; check the mileage on the car, too.

How many owners? The phrase ‘one lady owner’ is one that many a savvy second hand car buyer looks for. Ask how many owners the car you wish to buy has had - if it’s gone through five 18 year old male drivers in the course of five years, you can be sure that the car hasn’t received the TLC a cautious older driver may have lavished on it during the same time period.

What is the Service History? You should always ask to see if the full service history of the vehicle is available.

Can I take it for a test drive? Alarm bells should start ringing if the owner of the vehicle is reluctant to let you go for a drive in the car, especially if you are happy for them to travel with you. Engine trouble, oil leaks, gear-box issues and brake problems are all noticeable when you take a car for a short spin. If they don’t let you take the car for a short drive, walk away; otherwise it’s the equivalent of buying a house without having seen every room in the house!

Can I have that in Writing? If you buy a car that turns out to be a dud, you will have very little to complain about if you do not have details and answers to your questions in writing. This way you can make a claim if a problem occurs with the vehicle later on.

A good tip when going to buy a second hand car is to take a mate with you, too. If the only thing you know about cars is how to drive them, a second opinion, preferably from someone who knows a little bit about cars, could be invaluable when it comes to making the right purchase.
 

Moneyextra.com recommends you take independent financial advice before acting on any article

2011-10-13 11:34:18 © Moneyextra.com