While there are obvious risks when buying a second-hand car, these can be minimised with a few important checks, and rather than looking for a private seller, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer, and one that is local.
- Avoid Sold as Seen– Buying a car on a sold as seen basis basically means that if anything goes wrong, you are liable for the repairs, and with such an expensive investment, it simply isn’t worth the risk. If, for example, you are looking for a used Ford in Plymouth, there are local used car dealers who have an excellent reputation within the local community, and they would be happy to give you a warranty on the purchase.
- Look at the Car’s Service History– The service history would be recorded in the rear section of the owner’s manual, and this will tell you exactly what has been done on each service, and there should be the official stamp of the garage who carried out the service.
- Test Driving the Car– The only way to really get the feel of the car is to take it for a drive, and in the event the seller will not permit this, you should not go any further. Driving the car allows you to test the steering, brakes, suspension, and, to a degree, the engine’s performance.
- Inspecting the Vehicle– You should walk around the car, preferably with the seller, looking for signs of rust and bodywork repair, and any defects you find should be pointed out.
By following the above advice you are minimising the risk of buying a car that is overvalued, and hopefully, the car will prove to be a wise investment.
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