3 mistakes to avoid when buying a used car
In a country where a lot of people are struggling to keep head above water, buying second hand is the only option when life dictates it’s time for a new car.
With affordability being your primary consideration, it’s natural that you’ll fixate on the prices of cars you view. However be careful not to focus on it so much that you forget to also pay attention to other important considerations. A lapse in concentration could cost you a lot of money.
Here are the three most common slip-ups and how to not let them happen to you:
Doing guesswork on the extra costs
Whenever a car changes ownership, it needs to undergo a roadworthy test and it has to be registered in the new owner’s name. These come at a cost, so find out how much both will be and keep the charges in mind when drawing up your budget.
Unless you negotiate with the previous owner to repair all dings and dents, you should get exact pricing for all work that needs to be done to the car once it’s yours. Don’t guess how much spare parts will be, as you could overshoot your budget and only realise it when it’s too late.
Only searching for cars within the city limits
When you cast your net wide, the chances of finding a good deal increases exponentially – cars in smaller towns could be cheaper or have less mileage. Small town cars also haven’t seen as much damaging stop-start traffic as their cousins in the city, which means there is less wear and tear present.
Online searches make it very easy to shop for pre-owned cars across South Africa, so log on and see what you can find. A quick phone call would establish whether the car is worth the travel.
Not getting the car inspected
Phrases like ‘dealer maintained’ or ‘garage kept’ means nothing unless they can be backed up.
To get the proof that these and other claims are true, first ask for the service book. This will prove that the car was in fact serviced regularly. Then get a mechanic to inspect the car and if you aren’t confident in your abilities to spot signs of damage, ask someone who would be able to, to do an exterior and interior inspection.
Finally, take the car for a test drive. You’ll get a feel for the car and worrying noises and rattles, as well as problems with gears or brakes, will become obvious.
Don’t feel bad about insisting on an inspection or test drive – you are entitled to at least ask, as you will after all be spending your hard-earned cash.