| Well, the first thing you will need to decide is when you | | | | alternative to petrol, these days this is not really the |
| need to buy a car. Most second hand car purchases | | | | case. many of the diesel cars are now in some of the |
| are decided by circumstances, IE something has | | | | lowest CO2 emission categories. The general rule of |
| happened to bring on the change of vehicle, eg car | | | | thumb is that if you are doing under 15,000 miles per a |
| accident, growing family, extra members of the family, | | | | year then a petrol car is probably the right choice for |
| current car failed its MOT or broken down etc etc... | | | | you, over that then go for a diesel. |
| | | | | |
| In this article we will only be talking about used cars | | | | - Always make sure that you ask he garage where |
| from garages because deals on new cars change so | | | | you are viewing cars to see the HPI Check certificate |
| quickly depending on the marketing programmes | | | | to make sure that there are no hidden things lurking in |
| available at the time. | | | | the past, these can include being written off, stolen, on |
| - You will need to be clear on how you intend to fund | | | | finance, or anything else you would want to know |
| the purchase, there are several options to choose | | | | before parting with your hard earned money. Ask to |
| from; you can pay out of your savings, credit card | | | | see the service history and the registration document |
| (although this will normally incur at least 1.5% additional | | | | to check these are all in order. |
| charge as this is what the dealer has to pay), bank | | | | |
| building society loan, finance from the garage you are | | | | - If you are intending to part exchange your current |
| buying from (which there are some really great deals | | | | car, do yourself a favour and get more money for it |
| available depending on your circumstances) , | | | | by getting all the documents and history together and |
| and internet loans. The options will all need to be | | | | then give the car a really good clean. If the dealer can |
| explored to work out what is going to be right for you | | | | see a well maintained, bright and shiny car in front of |
| when you need to buy . | | | | them they are bound to give you more money for it |
| | | | | than a dull car with a few bills as the history. |
| - What sort of car you will need to suit your needs. | | | | |
| The choice of cars available in today's marketplace is | | | | - The negotiation on the price is really down to how |
| vast, every manufacturer has a list of shapes and | | | | confident you are, and whether you really want to buy |
| sizes to suit most needs. From the new super mini with | | | | the car. many people can get a really good deal on a |
| £35 a year for its annual road tax to the people | | | | car, but please make sure that it is the right car for |
| carriers that seem so cavernous and can fit many | | | | you. there is no point in wasting everybody's time if |
| people inside. Work out your requirements and the | | | | you get a great deal on a car you don't even want!! |
| type of driving and uses you intend to get from the | | | | we often find that the best way to make a deal is to |
| car. Many of the people carrier style that offer 7 seats | | | | get "price to change" that way the garage values your |
| will also have the ability for the rear 2 seats to fold | | | | part exchange, then adjusts the price you have to pay |
| away completely, a great example and pioneer of this | | | | out. If it is too high then you can ask about what the |
| is the Vauxhall Zafira. At our garage, we sell many of | | | | best price is then, don't let the dealer confuse the issue |
| these because of their flexibility. | | | | by quoting trade terms that don't mean anything to the |
| | | | | the customer such as "over allowance", "SIV","trade |
| - Fuel. it really comes down to petrol or diesel. | | | | car", "margin" etc. |
| Traditionally diesel was seem as a smelly dirty | | | | |