| When you drive a new car out of the showroom, it | | | | taken; even more so when buying from online auction |
| instantly loses about 20% of its value straight away - | | | | sites where you only have a photograph and a short |
| which goes to say that buying a car is never going to | | | | description to go on. |
| be an investment. However, if you buy a second hand | | | | Private car sellers can be found in local papers, notice |
| car, you can find an affordable motor at a price which | | | | boards and via online second hand car classifieds. |
| won't depreciate as quickly as that of a new car - so | | | | There is no shortage of private car sellers and this is |
| buying a second hand car can prove to be a much | | | | probably the most common way of purchasing a |
| more cost effective purchase than buying new. | | | | second hand car. Upon finding a car of interest, a |
| But we're sometimes lead to believe that the world of | | | | buyer can contact a seller via phone or email to |
| second hand car sales is awash with the stereotypical | | | | arrange an inspection and make an offer. |
| car salesman, ready to pounce on unsuspecting | | | | Before buying any second hand car, first check the |
| customers and take advantage of their ignorance of | | | | current market value for the vehicle you want. There |
| mechanics. So, how do you go about buying a second | | | | are guidebooks available from most newsagents that |
| hand car which is not going to break down the minute | | | | list makes and models for almost all cars and give an |
| you drive off into the sunset? There are three key | | | | approximate value with relation to the age. |
| places to buy a second hand car: from a second hand | | | | When you are inspecting a car, first check the body |
| car dealership, a private seller, or an auction. | | | | work. Is there any corrosion or rust? It's rare to find a |
| Buying from a reputable second hand car dealership is | | | | car more than 5 years old that is completely rust free, |
| probably the safest way of buying a second hand | | | | but make sure that any corrosion is cosmetic, rather |
| vehicle, especially if you don't have much knowledge | | | | than structural. Then look at the general state of the |
| of cars. Dealerships normally test cars for safety and | | | | engine and check the colour of the oil and coolant, as |
| mechanical soundness and often offer some form of | | | | this can give clues to the condition. Also check the |
| guarantee. However, the down side of buying from a | | | | mileage, ask to see the car's log book and check on |
| dealership is that they tend to be a little more | | | | the amount of tax and M.O.T. left on the car. |
| expensive than buying privately - although they are | | | | As long as you do your background research, and |
| often still open to negotiation on price. | | | | conduct a thorough check before parting with your |
| It is possible to pick up some great bargains on second | | | | cash, buying a second hand car can be a very cost |
| hand cars at auctions. However, buying from a car | | | | effective way of purchasing a vehicle - getting you on |
| auction normally doesn't allow you much time to | | | | the road without breaking the bank. |
| inspect or test drive a vehicle - so caution must be | | | | |