How to buy a used car

Buying a used car can have potential pitfalls - but it should not be a painful experience if you are a simple set of rules and check.

We bring you the essential guide for buying a used car.

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Do your research

It is important to thoroughly research before buying a used car. Search our used car listings online or find at your local Auto Trader magazine at the price of the model. This saves you paying too much - but whether the price is too low.

Consult the Guide to the CAP for a proper assessment of your vehicle.

It is also important to set a budget and include insurance, road tax and other expenses, if your calculations.

If you choose a loan, it is important for the lowest prices.

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Call the Seller
Contact the seller with a series of questions
Make a list of questions for the seller and make notes during the conversation with them.

1. As long as they are in possession of the car?
2. One car had the last MOT?
3. Is it necessary?
4. What condition is the car?
5. Why are they selling?
6. The car was involved in an accident?
7. What are the characteristics of the car you?
8. Is it in good condition?

They must also ensure that you have a fixed number for the seller - and not just their mobile phone.

Vehicle Check

If you have a bit of research. An examination of the history of the car is the smartest investment you make when buying a car.

This analysis showed that when the vehicle is reported stolen or is pending (if so, it is still technically owned by the financial institution), is removed or rejected and that the full specification the vehicle.

You can change the vehicle identification number, you can use the numbers on the car itself (commonly correspond to the frame on the windshield or on the floor beside the driver found).

Discover ten reasons why you need a car to be checked.

Attendance

Always to the seller at their own university. Do not settle into a motorway service station, garage or to an address outside, where they live. Check the address is the same as on the V5C document and check the V5C changed is not illegal. Read our disclaimer for more flight certificate V5C.

Leaving you with you note in the notes when you call the will of the seller. This way you can see details such as mileage and taxes are the same as you told during the interview.

Revision of the car
Enter a car full of a used car
It is essential to check the car thoroughly for any flaws or damage.

Follow these steps to ensure that everything is tested and treated:
• Never check a car in the dark or rain. It is very difficult, dents, scratches, rust recognize, and many other defects.

• If you can look at the car before the bell rang. This gives you the opportunity to watch without distraction by the seller.

• Always start the car with the engine cold. It is easier to recognize how startup problems, or smoke too many books.

• Creep for each front wheel and look out over the entire length of the vehicle. Both front wheels should be directly to the back - if not, that would mean the car was in an accident with a slightly twisted chassis. This is known as a cancer.

• Check the gaps between body panels are the same - if not, the car can be expanded and harm in an accident.

• Take a look at the tires. Are they good? The legal minimum depth for the rotation of the tires into the United Kingdom is 1.6 mm.

• Check under the car under the bonnet and the carpet for rust and signs indicate that vehicles in an accident in May, has been selected, such as welds.

• In the car, make sure the belt properly, steering wheel and dashboard are well locked. Make sure the front seats move well and all switches work.

• Under the hood, looking for signs of oil leaks on the engine top and bottom. Use test strips to verify the amount of oil. If the level is low, the owner does not care of the car.

• Take a look at the cap oil mayonnaise and white matter - this is an indication of a damaged cylinder head gasket, which can be very expensive to repair.

For more information, please read, consider how a car guides.

The test drive
for a test drive with a used car
You should never buy a car without driving it first.

Make sure you are fully insured to drive the car dealership, and take the evidence of this with you.

Before the start of the trip, the wheel of an attack on one another. There should be no noise, hit or strike.

Test the handbrake. Look at it and slowly start pulling. If not the car itself is something wrong.

Driving on the roads in many areas as possible. Use all the gears, and check the gearbox is smooth and creamy. The clutch pedal should 'bite' between the upper and middle of the pedal travel.

Do you hear strange noises from the engine, and you do not get distracted by conversations, the seller or the radio set.

Read our guide More Car Test Drive.

Negotiation

Take a moment you think the fact that such events drive to work or you have to think, perhaps, to the car. Use this option to negotiate the price with the seller.

Ask the seller what they can realistically expect. Share indicate a lower offer for the car, then. This gives them two options - make your offer or an offer-cons.

If they seem to work, go shake his hand and accept to confirm the transaction.

For a complete overview of the negotiations with the advice of experts Used Dominic Littlewood and Jason Dawe, read our articles, how to negotiate for a used car.

Paperwork

Make sure that all of the following information:

1. The logbook (V5C document) - make sure no one Fluzertifikat V5C
2. Service history of the car
3. MOT Details
4. The registration number and vehicle identification
5. A valid tax disc (if the vendor that the tax is included in the price)

All must be present and correct, or you should walk away from the case. Make sure all documents are originals - copies are not accepted.

Examine the logbook (V5C document) carefully. Make sure the seller is the registered proprietor of the V5C. If not, they are not legally allowed to sell cars.

Many dealers say stamp in the logbook, the likelihood is that the car is well maintained. It is always worth calling the garage to check they have the work done.

Payment

Remember to ask for a receipt whenever a payment, especially if it is in cash. Get signed two copies - one for you and one for the seller. Make sure that the address of the seller and the car are available at both.

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