Sports & Recreation

Buying a New or Used Car: Read This First

Posted: March 15, 2010 ¬ 4:54 am. GaijinCoachNo Comments »

After you complete research and you know what type of vehicle you would like to buy, and you have your finances prepared and the budget set, you still have one question that remains. This question is where to purchase the new or used car you are interested in. There are many ways you can purchase a vehicle, so you need to know what option and place will work best for you.

Dealers Yard

If it’s a new or nearly new low mileage car that you are after then you will probably consider going to a main dealer to make your purchase. Buying from a main dealer will normally ensure you receive excellent service and your consumer rights will be fully protected, although you will be paying for this through higher prices.

Independent dealers work well for older cars. You do need to realise that quality and customer service can vary with these dealers. Also be careful to check the warranty for what it covers.

Classifieds for Cars

Going through the private classifieds is a good way to get a great deal on a vehicle. Unfortunately you do have to look out for the untrue seller who can be hiding in the pages, as well as traders trying to be private sellers.

When purchasing in a private sale you do not have as many consumer rights. For this reason you need to keep the advertisement as evidence in case the vehicle has issues. You will also want to check the address on the V5 is the same as the seller address in case something does go wrong.

Vehicle Supermarket

Supermarkets for cars are becoming more popular. It is quite easy to find one that is located close to you. The prices are generally low, because the cars are bought in bulk. You usually do not have to negotiate, and trade in values tend to be lower.

Since there is a lot of choice at these big markets you may find several models of the vehicle you are looking for, and they may have upgrades like xenon headlamps, alloy wheels, and air conditioning.

Vehicle Auction Sites

Auctions that sell vehicles have become another place over the years to get low mileage vehicles for a good price. Better still is the fact that you get a guarantee regarding mechanical problem issues. However, if you are buying at an auction realise your consumer rights are not as plentiful as other options. While you get a bargain you also need to check the vehicle before making a bid.

The Internet

Dealers and other individuals are selling cars on internet sites like Ebay. You have a chance to overview the specs and view images of the car you are interested in. Auction sites such as Ebay allow you to purchase a vehicle without seeing it.

When shopping at Ebay you can check out the feedback about the seller to determine if they are legitimate. Few or poor ratings is definitely something to avoid. You will be legally accountable if the car is accurately described and you have the winning bid on that auction.

One of the most popular optional extra available on modern cars is a pair of factory fitted Xenon Bulbs. However if your new vehicle does not have this option fitted as standard you can easily upgrade your Headlight Bulbs to produce a brighter xenon light with a pair of retro fit upgrade bulbs.