Why You Should Buy A Used Car?
When it comes time to change your car you might be tempted to buy a brand new one. The thought of a long warranty and generous showroom discounts can be extremely attractive. But for me having bought a new car before I think next time, I will go for a used car. Let us be honest the money you save on a new vehicle with cheaper maintenance is a fraction of what is lost in depreciation.
A This Money article mentions how up to 35% of the value of a car is lost in the first year. I think that is why I am going to hang onto our Skoda Octavia as long as possible. We bought brand new, so we had more options at build. Safety was our main priority and we were keen to have back airbags for the children. Luckily having had our car for 5 years now depreciation is much slower. The longer we keep our car the less of an impact it seems to have made. So even if I want to replace my vehicle, I feel I have to stick with it!
If we had bought a used car, I think I could have been more flexible and replaced it sooner. But you do need to take more precautions buying used cars.
Do Your Research
You will need to do a bit more research if you want to buy a quality used car. Always inspect in daylight when visibility is clear. You want to have a good look over the bodywork and check out the condition of the tyres. Look for any signs that indicate that the car might have previously been in a crash. Do not forget to make a point of testing the windows, the radio, and the air conditioning, basically you want to be very thorough!
Check Out The Car’s History
The Citizen Advice Bureau recommend checking the car’s history with the DVLA. What the seller is telling you should match the car’s history. If it does not then alarm bells should be ringing.
Think Carefully Where You Buy It From
I would say it is probably wiser to stick with a dealer rather than buy privately. They often provide a warranty on their used cars which gives you more reassurance. Tottington Motor Company offer a 12-month parts and labour guarantee and even provide a courtesy car for your convenience!
Whereas with a private seller its more a case of being “buyer aware” – they don’t have to legally disclose information about the condition of the car. So, you can end up making an expensive mistake! I much prefer having the Consumer Rights Act with dealer purchases.
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