How to select a good used car

When searching for a good used vehicle to buy, you have a few options. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

OPTION ONE

Buying from a reputable registered used vehicle dealer is the best and safest option and when using this guide and checklist, the chance that you will buy a LEMON is very slim indeed.

OPTION TWO

When buying a vehicle from a private seller. You may buy a bargain but it can be very risky. Before you even look at the vehicle, check the paperwork, if you have any doubts about them, leave this deal well alone.

The vehicle may still be on a hire purchase or lease agreement and will then still be the legal property of the financial institution.

Remember if you buy a stolen vehicle, it will be confiscated and you will lose all the money you have paid for the vehicle.

Only use this option if you personally know the seller and his vehicle.

OPTION THREE

Buying at an auction, you may buy a bargain but be very, very cautious. Most vehicles sold at auctions have been repossessed or are vehicles from persons or companies that have been liquidated.

Some private owners and motor dealers also sell vehicles that they battle to get rid off on these auctions. Persons that buy accident damaged vehicles repair them and sell them at these auctions.

Most of these vehicles have no service histories. I have been to a couple of these auctions and have even bought a LEMON myself at one of them.



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So I speak of experience when I say that this option is definitely not for the inexperienced buyer. Keep in mind that the price you have bid does not include the auctioneers commission or vat; this can increase the price by up to 24%.

This option has the same odds as a lottery or a casino. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

REMEMBER

Even if the vehicle has passed a police computer clearance check it is not a guarantee that the vehicle is not a stolen vehicle.

A friend of mine once bought a late model Mercedes Benz from a reputable used vehicle dealer. As he only received one key with the vehicle, he ordered a duplicate key through the Mercedes Benz agents.

That same day the police contacted him and confiscated the car. The Mercedes Benz factory had it on their records that the vehicle was stolen and they informed the police. Fortunately for him he bought the vehicle through a registered dealer who gave him his money back.

MAKE USE OF THE FOLLOWING TIPS AND IT WILL SAVE YOU HUNDREDS.

If you have a vehicle that you want to trade in, have the engine and underside of the vehicle steam cleaned, the vehicle washed and polished, all unnecessary items removed from the cubby hole, centre console and trunk before you go shopping for another vehicle. This will increase the price offered substantially.


INSURANCE

Never include insurance cover premiums in your hire purchase agreement as you will pay additional finance charges on this amount.

The financing company or their insurance broker is paid a commission on the policy they sell you. This amount will be for your pocket.

If you don’t have a home content short term policy, take one out as this is the cheapest and provides the best value for your money.



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Keep in mind that there can be a huge difference in premiums between cars. Especially on high performance vehicles or vehicles that are more prone to be stolen.

When buying any used vehicle steer clear of special imported or exotic vehicles, you may battle to obtain spare parts and qualified mechanics to service and repair it. Rather look for a vehicle that is well represented and have a nation wide network of dealers and service centers.

Buy with your head and not your heart.

The dealer may also suggest that you take out an insurance policy that covers mechanical breakdowns or failure of the mechanical parts of the vehicle. It is my experience that most dealers will insist that you take out this cover, if they know that there is something wrong with the vehicle.

Before taking out this insurance read the small print carefully, if you skip one service or any of the many other conditions of the policy, your claim will be rejected.

In most instances you can repair the vehicle for less than the excess amount.

Due to the high incidence of high jacking and stealing of vehicles most insurance companies insist that vehicles be fitted with alarm and immobilizer systems, some will also require you to fit tracking devices to the vehicle.

If they do, you must try to negotiate that this cost must be for the dealers account.