| When you drive a new car out of the showroom, | | | | buying from online auction sites where you only |
| it instantly loses about 20% of its value straight | | | | have a photograph and a short description to go |
| away - which goes to say that buying a car is | | | | on. |
| never going to be an investment. However, if you | | | | Private car sellers can be found in local papers, |
| buy a second hand car, you can find an affordable | | | | notice boards and via online second hand car |
| motor at a price which won't depreciate as quickly | | | | classifieds. There is no shortage of private car |
| as that of a new car - so buying a second hand | | | | sellers and this is probably the most common |
| car can prove to be a much more cost effective | | | | way of purchasing a second hand car. Upon finding |
| purchase than buying new. | | | | a car of interest, a buyer can contact a seller via |
| But we're sometimes lead to believe that the | | | | phone or email to arrange an inspection and make |
| world of second hand car sales is awash with the | | | | an offer. |
| stereotypical car salesman, ready to pounce on | | | | Before buying any second hand car, first check |
| unsuspecting customers and take advantage of | | | | the current market value for the vehicle you |
| their ignorance of mechanics. So, how do you go | | | | want. There are guidebooks available from most |
| about buying a second hand car which is not going | | | | newsagents that list makes and models for |
| to break down the minute you drive off into the | | | | almost all cars and give an approximate value with |
| sunset? There are three key places to buy a | | | | relation to the age. |
| second hand car: from a second hand car | | | | When you are inspecting a car, first check the |
| dealership, a private seller, or an auction. | | | | body work. Is there any corrosion or rust? It's |
| Buying from a reputable second hand car | | | | rare to find a car more than 5 years old that is |
| dealership is probably the safest way of buying a | | | | completely rust free, but make sure that any |
| second hand vehicle, especially if you don't have | | | | corrosion is cosmetic, rather than structural. Then |
| much knowledge of cars. Dealerships normally | | | | look at the general state of the engine and check |
| test cars for safety and mechanical soundness | | | | the colour of the oil and coolant, as this can give |
| and often offer some form of guarantee. | | | | clues to the condition. Also check the mileage, ask |
| However, the down side of buying from a | | | | to see the car's log book and check on the |
| dealership is that they tend to be a little more | | | | amount of tax and M.O.T. left on the car. |
| expensive than buying privately - although they | | | | As long as you do your background research, and |
| are often still open to negotiation on price. | | | | conduct a thorough check before parting with |
| It is possible to pick up some great bargains on | | | | your cash, buying a second hand car can be a |
| second hand cars at auctions. However, buying | | | | very cost effective way of purchasing a vehicle - |
| from a car auction normally doesn't allow you | | | | getting you on the road without breaking the |
| much time to inspect or test drive a vehicle - so | | | | bank. |
| caution must be taken; even more so when | | | | |