Perhaps the most important deciding factor in your car purchase will be your budget - whether you can afford to buy a new vehicle, or if it would be more cost-effective to go down the pre-owned route. If money is a factor, buying used cars is generally advised, as the rapid depreciation of most vehicles means a new car will lose a substantial amount of its value within its first three years out of the showroom. Whichever option you choose, you will have several outlets for buying your vehicle - from dealerships and showrooms to private sales and auctions.
Doing your research beforehand is vital if you hope to secure a reasonable price for your new vehicle, making sure to compare several different vehicles of the same make, model and age as the one you're thinking of buying, as well as in similar condition. Another important factor to consider when looking for low price deals is whether the car is still covered by its original manufacturer's warranty, which could make repairs much less expensive, as well as the condition of the vehicle, and whether any repairs or replacements will need to be carried out to bring it up to your preferred standard - work that could end up costing you significantly more than the purchase itself.
Checking for these problems is the reason cars should always be thoroughly inspected and test driven before agreeing to a purchase, which also means brushing up on car mechanics to learn how to spot faulty or damaged components - this is especially crucial when buying from private sellers out of driveways, as fewer safeguards will be in place to guarantee your purchase. Inspecting vehicles outdoors in natural daylight is preferable to checking them inside garages, as corrosion, rust and other damage will be more noticeable, and you should be sure to check everything from the engine to the tyres and gearbox.
You also need to make sure the vehicle comes with the required documentation, from its registration and MOT certificate to details of car insurance. Your seller is also obliged to provide you with full details of the car's service and ownership history, including repair receipts, which should be corroborated against the mileage and other details on the vehicle itself. If you have any suspicions, or just want a second opinion, you can also ask for the car to be inspected by an independent mechanic prior to making your offer.
The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Admiral. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
