Buying A Used Car Using The Web

Louis Rix
July 21, 2007

When it comes to buying a used car there is nowhere better than the internet to help you get started. There are a huge amount of websites where sellers list their cars along with photos and detailed descriptions and this is the easiest and quickest way to find the car of your dreams. However when it comes to buying the car, there are some things that you should take into account, with this is mind here are some tips for a buying a used car.

Before you even go looking for your car make sure you have a general idea of how much cars of similar age and type go for second hand. Also bear in mind the repair costs of the model, the safety aspects of that particular model and how much the car would cost to insure.

Once you have made contact with the seller and have gone to check the car over, it is essential that you get to see all documents related to the cars history. This will give you an idea of how well the car has been treated and if it has had all the check ups it should have had.

If you are buying your used car from a dealer then you have the right to see the written warranty that is provided by the dealer before you buy, this is one way of making sure of what you are getting before you commit yourself.

When you go to look at the car make sure that you give it a through inspection in good lighting and that you take it for a test drive. Where possible make sure that you test drive the car in most situations, for example up and down hills, in heavy traffic where you are stopping and starting and if possible a brief drive down the motorway. This will all tell you how the car handles and feels and pay particular attention to not only how the car handles but also how the engine sounds.

One of the best tips when it comes to buying a used car is if you know nothing about cars then make sure that you take someone with you who does. If you don’t have a friend or family member then it can pay to book someone from an auto club to go with you and look over the car. While of course this will cost you in the long run it can work out cheaper if the car is nothing more than an old banger.

Always remember that while you can get a good bargain when it comes to buying your used car privately you won’t have any warranty as such as you would get from a used car dealer. So usually you will buy the car “as seen” and this is the risk you take for saving a couple of hundred pounds or more on the car.

Whichever way you choose to go to buy your used car with a little common sense and by following the tips for buying a used car outlined above you can grab yourself a great bargain.

About the Author: Louis Rix is a Director of NetCars, one of the UK's leading motoring websites. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for used car searches and motoring information. NetCars also provide Used Cars, loans and insurance.

Source: www.isnare.com