How to buy a used car

How to buy a used car - How can a used car when buying a car to buy have potential pitfalls - but it should not be a painful experience if you are a simple set of rules and check.

We bring you the essential guide for buying a used car.

Do your research

It is important to thoroughly research before buying a used car. To search for used car listings to find what you need for the model you are looking to pay. It saves you pay excessive prices, and if the price is low, be careful.

It is also important to set a budget and include insurance, road tax and other expenses, if your calculations.

If you choose a loan, it is important that you shop around for the lowest prices.

Call the Seller

Make a list of questions to the seller, and taking notes. You need the seller:

Calling the sellerHow have long possessed the car?
One car had the last MOT?
Is it necessary?
What condition is the car?
Why are they selling?
The car was involved in an accident?
What are the characteristics of the car you?
Is it in good condition?

And before you hang up, it's a good idea to see if the vendor to check on the price of the vehicle and flexible to use a fixed number for the seller.

Vehicle Check

If you have a bit of research. One form of the Data Control vehicle is the smartest investment you make when buying a car.

This analysis showed that if the car is reported stolen, has finance its outstanding (prior to settlement if it is still dominated by the financial institution belongs to him) are written off or scrapped, and that the full specification of the vehicle targets .

It also shows the price you can expect to pay for the vehicle before buying.

You'll also be able to identify this vehicle to see, so you can match the numbers on the vehicle itself (often) under the windscreen or on the floor beside the driver found.

Click here for more details, vehicle checks and how to obtain them.

Attendance

Always to the seller at their own university. Do not settle into a motorway service station fair, a picnic area or an address outside, where they live. Check the address is the same as on the V5C document.

Leaving you with you note in the notes when you call the will of the seller. This way you can see details such as mileage and taxes are the same as you told during the interview.

Revision of the car

Check check carNever a vehicle in the dark or rain. It is very difficult, dents, scratches, rust recognize, and many other defects.

If you can, take a look at the car before the bell rang. This gives you the opportunity to watch without distraction by the seller.

Always start the car with the engine cold. It is easier to recognize how startup problems, or smoke too many books.

Squatting on each front wheel and look out over the length of the vehicle. Both front wheels should be directly to the back - if not, that would mean the car was in an accident with a slightly twisted chassis. This is known as a cancer.

Check the differences between the body parts of equal - if not the vehicle can be redeveloped or a bad accident could have been.

Take a look at the tires. Are they good? The legal minimum depth for the rotation of the tires into the United Kingdom is 1.6 mm.

Look under the car under the bonnet and the carpet for rust and signs that the car was in an accident, such as welding marks.

If your car, make sure the belt properly, steering wheel and dashboard are securely locked and that all switches work, and move the front seats well.

Under the hood, looking for signs of leakage of oil on the engine and underneath. Use test strips to verify the amount of oil. If the level is low, the owner does not care of the car.

Look around the oil filling CAP mayonnaise and white matter - this is an indication of a damaged cylinder head gasket, which can be very expensive to repair.

For more information about what to check whether you have a car, click here.

The test drive

The driveYou test should never buy a car without driving it first.

Make sure you are fully insured to drive the car dealership, and take the evidence of this with you.

Before the start of the trip, the wheel of an attack on one another. There should be no noise, hit or strike.
Test the handbrake. Look at it and slowly start pulling. If not the car itself is something wrong.

Driving on the roads in many areas as possible. Use all the gears, and check the gearbox is smooth and creamy. The clutch pedal should 'bite' between the upper and middle of the pedal travel.

Do you hear strange noises from the engine, and you do not get distracted by conversations, the seller or the radio set.

Click here for more information on the test drive.

Negotiation

Take a moment to remind you that you think might work to make cars. Use this option to negotiate the price with the seller.

Ask the seller what he needs to start the car. Share indicate a lower offer for the car, then. This gives them two options - make your offer or an offer-cons.

If they seem to work, go shake his hand and accept to confirm the transaction.

Paperwork

You need the V5C document the history of the service, Insp. All must be present and correct, or you should walk away from the case.

Make sure all documents are originals - copies are not accepted.

Examine the logbook (V5C) carefully. Make sure the seller is the registered proprietor of the V5C. If not, they are not legally allowed to sell cars.

Verify that correct, and the number of the vehicle identification number.

Many dealers say stamp in the logbook, the likelihood is that the car is well maintained. It is always worth calling the garage to check they have the work done.

Payment

Get a receipt for each payment you make, especially if you pay cash. Get two copies - one for you, and they were. Make sure that the details of the car and the address of the seller and that both will be signed both copies.

Click here for important information about the vehicle fraudulent sellers.

Auto Trader links

Buy a car
Test Rides
How to check a car before you buy
Ten reasons why you need to check car data
Auto Trader Vehicle Check
Vehicle Crime Center
Call the Seller
The legal rights of car buyers "
Useful numbers
Make me an offer
DVLA V5C Registration Certificate