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We don’t all have the money to purchase a new car, no matter what credit options the dealer has at our disposal. We need to remember not just the initial expense of the vehicle but also the extra costs on top of that – car insurance the ever-increasing cost of fuel, MOT and service. repair and maintenance costs. Put these things together and we realise how expensive it is to own a car.
With all this in mind, choosing a used car and paying less to start with always seems like a smart idea. But like everything else, there are risks involved with the purchase of a second-hand car. Lower prices do not inherently mean better value, particularly if you look at slightly older models.
Questions To Ask Before Purchasing A New Car
To make sure you are not driving away in anything that causes you more trouble and expense than it is worth moving further down the road, here are some of the questions you should be asking before purchasing a new car.
Can a mechanic cast their expert eye over the car?
You are perfectly entitled to ask the car to be tested by a trained, independent mechanic before handing over your hard-earned cash, and a reputable vendor or used car dealership should be more than happy to let you do this. Sellers may inform you that the car has recently been serviced and may have documentation to back it up, but to maintain peace of mind, you may also want to consider paying for an independent assessment by a mechanic of your choice. Some breakdown providers, such as the AA, offer a free inspection, so please give your breakdown company a call to see if this is anything you are eligible for.
Are the service records available?
Any good seller should have all the service records available for the vehicle. They could date back to the initial selling of the car, assuming that any owner has maintained track of any work or modifications that have been made. If these records are not available, but they have the contact details of the last place to service the car, drop them a call and inquire about the background of the vehicle. If you really can’t find out about the history of the car, it is probably a good idea to give it a miss and look elsewhere, perhaps consider taking a look at the Vauxhall Corsa from Pentagon.
What’s wrong with it?
If something seems too good to be true, it quite often is. If the car is cheap, try to figure out why. It may be anything simple: scratches on the paintwork, worn-down tyres and windscreen wipers can be quickly and cheaply sorted out. However, look a little deeper to make sure there is nothing wrong with the car’s internal workings of the car’s internal structure. If you are still happy to buy a car that needs some attention, make sure you do your diligence. It is easy to source parts for new British vehicles, but it can be difficult or costly to get hold of parts from older cars or cars from overseas.
Is It Going To Go The Distance?
By this, we mean is it going to last long enough to make the purchase worth it? With the ever-changing world, electric vehicles are all the rage now, so it makes sense that this is what you would purchase. Of course, diesel and petrol cars are still available, it’s just a case of how long they are going to be allowed. You don’t want to buy a car now, only to have to buy a new one not too far into the future. A car is an investment, and you want your investment to pay off, not to flounder.
For this reason, we highly recommend looking at cars that you think are going to remain a good choice for the next few years. Speak to an expert if you want to about which is the best here, just make sure that you’re careful in your decision.
