When it comes to buying a used car it can be a bit of a mine field out there, where do you start? What
questions should you be asking? What should you be looking for?
In this week’s blog we’ve rounded up 5 key things to consider when purchasing a used car:
- Does the garage know who the previous owner of the car was?
We’ve all had a ‘my mates got this mate who’s selling his car’ situation but in reality it’s important to know how many owners your used car has passed through. If someone buys a new car and drives it for a decade, it's likely that car received roughly the same level of care -- and the same driving experience. At Pye many of our used cars are locally sourced which means we often know the previous owner personally.
- Who has serviced the car?
Another important thing to consider when buying a used car is its service history. Was it serviced recently? Has it been serviced using genuine parts? This service history is invaluable to you as a buyer, it gives you piece of mind that you’re buying a quality used car and it also helps the car to retain its value should you decide to sell it on.
- Are the tyres a decent brand?
We can’t stress enough the importance of good tyres! These things keep you stuck to the road, which is where you want to be!! When buying a used car make sure to check that all four tyres are quality, that they match and have a good amount of tread left. The last thing you want to do after making a large purchase is having to fork out for four new tyres!
- Is all the paint work the same colour?
Differences in paint work are usually a sign that the car has been damaged or repaired in some way, and it’s best to know if the car you’re going to buy has ever been in an accident. Have a good look over the car to see if you can see any differences in paintwork and ask the seller if they know of the car being in an accident. It’s best to know!
- Are you looking at a suitable car for you?
You need a vehicle that fits with your lifestyle; whether that’s a large boot to house dogs or prams, something small and cheap to run for commuting, or a 3 door sporty number for cruising through Europe. Whatever your lifestyle make sure the used car you’re looking at is fit for purpose. Just because the price fits doesn’t mean the car is the right fit for you.