Where you buy your next used car from will depend on how much
legwork you are prepared to do and on how much money you want to spend.
The more information you have about your target
car the less likely it will be that you will end-up buying a lemon.
Buying A Car At Auction
The cheapest and potentially the riskiest place to buy from is a used
Cars Auctions.
Here you may find yourself bidding against
cars dealers that have overheads to meet. If this happens then you may
be able to pick up a genuine bargain that would be offered for sale at a
considerably higher price on a dealer's forecourt.
Buying A Car From Main Franchised Dealer
The easiest and safest option is to buy from a
franchised main dealer.
Here you will find a selection of newer used cars that are in very good
condition. Many of these vehicles will still be within the
manufacturers car warranty period and will have been serviced according
to the manufactures recommended schedule. The only drawback of buying from a
franchised dealer is that you may end up paying a higher price.
Buying From A Private Seller
If you don't mind trawling through the used car adverts then buying privately
could offer you the biggest savings. However, be aware that you will not have
the same legal rights as when buying from a dealer. Ensure that the car on sale
is registered to the address from which it is being sold. Always use a banker's
cheque when buying privately. It is important to take the advertisement along
with you to the viewing. Does the description of the car correspond to the
actual vehicle e.g. is the car really an SE model? Don't pay top money for a
car with only an average spec. Also, make sure that you get
Free VIN Lookup.
Used Car Supermarkets
At
used car supermarkets you will find a large selection of cars priced
to generate a large turnover of stock. As with an independent dealer you will
have legal comeback should anything go wrong. Here you may not get such a good
price on your
part
exchange / trade in. You may also find it difficult to haggle. Some
car
supermarkets may charge you an administration fee upon completion of
the sale. Always check to see if there are any additional costs. The prices of
all of their used cars may not be so competitive - be sure to do your research.
Independent Car Dealers
At an
independent car dealer you will find a selection of cars that will
be of varying age and condition. Each car that you are considering to buy
should be
checked
for its service history and overall condition. An independent car
dealer is a good place to part exchange your existing car and to get a discount
on your next car (if you bargain hard). Local dealers will usually be keen to
maintain a good reputation and will not be in the business of selling you a
junker. You will also have legal comeback if difficulties arise after you have
bought the car.
