How to get the best deal possible when buying a pre-owned car
In a tough economy and competitive automotive market, the pre-owned segment is seeing consistent interest from buyers.
New car sales data is inching upwards, but is still a long way off its healthiest levels. October 2017 aggregate new vehicle sales at 51 037 units are up by 2 255 units or 4.6% from October last year. However, at 35 226, passenger car sales are still a good 24% down from their 2006 peak of 43 802.
Challenging times see buyers postpone car purchases, downgrade models, or decide to investigate pre-owned instead of buying brand-new cars.
When they do enter the pre-owned car space, buyers are well advised to shop carefully. This can be a complex environment, but following certain practical tips can ensure a painless, efficient and cost-effective experience:
- Buy from a reputable dealer. Buying from an established brand, you know you’re buying a legitimate vehicle and you will get excellent service, and all warranties and service plans will be honoured. At Avis Car Sales, we offer a 30-day exchange plan.
- Look for a vehicle with low mileage. Some experts recommend a recent model, but an older vehicle with low mileage will always be better value than a newer one with higher mileage.
- A new model. First prize is a newer model with low mileage. There are even recently released demo models, less than a year old, with fewer than 10 000km on the clock. These cars are as good as new, but significantly cheaper.
- Make sure the car has been serviced correctly. This means that it has been serviced by an accredited dealer at the correct service intervals. If this is not done it may invalidate your car’s warranty and service/ maintenance plan. All Avis Car Sales vehicles have a comprehensive vehicle history including damage and maintenance.
- Residual value. Look for a car that is in high demand. This will mean it retains value for when you sell it again. A cheaper car with a poor residual value drives up the cost of ownership. It is more expensive in the long run to buy cheap cars with lower resale value.
Buying a new model pre-owned car is an excellent alternative to a new car. Cars that are a year old will offer similar benefits of a new vehicle – quality, features, balance of warranty and service plan – at a reasonable price.
At Avis Car Sales, our cars are checked and have an independent roadworthy test, in addition to their regular maintenance whilst in the rental fleet. We currently have 20 branches countrywide.
Via: Avis Car Sales