Be in the driving seat while buying an used car

As the new cars sector in Ireland is in crisis and most people in Ireland who want to change their car at the moment decide on an used one, here are some tips for future buyers how not to be taken for a ride. 

After  all, it’s not only the price that matters and the issue is well worth considering, as we do not change cars every day. There always have to be a good relations of quality and price. But how to assess if an used car is value for money? As we all know, the seller can have quite a different point of view on his vehicle  than the buyer and that is why, if you are seriously interested in a certain used car, ask for help of an independent expert – a mechanic. A good one will tell you it’s hidden history.

There is a list of things that have to be checked.  First of all, the mechanic will check you if the car had an accident. You may also ask, if there is no discrepancy between the mileage that is shows and the condition of the car, it is better to know if it has been clocked. By assessing different parts of the vehicle, it’s not difficult to find out. The heart of each car – used or new, is the engine and if there is a problem with it – it will be a costly one. Check also the brakes…you may find them useful in the future. The car body and suspension tell a lot as well – the mechanic can assess what parts of it would need repair in the near future and how much it might cost you. It may be important when you negotiate the price.

Another important issue is, if there is no outstanding loan or hire purchase agreement, as you may get in trouble with a finance company which has a legal interest in a vehicle until it’s repaid. Proving that you were not aware of the outstanding payment at the time of purchase might be lengthy and difficult. It is also worth to double-check, when you come across a bargain price of an used car, that it hasn’t been stolen.

I hope all those suggestions will be of help… It doesn’t have to be “mission impossible” to make a good deal on buying an used car. The great number of cars for sale classifieds can be of course found in the Internet. You may try www.cbg.ie for a start.