8 tips for buying a used car

So you want to buy a car, but you do not want to splash cash on a brand new one so you opt for a second hand. Your task now, is to find the car you want and make sure it is in good enough condition not to burn a hole in your pocket in repair. So what do you take into consideration when buying a used car? Well, AAC (Arabian Automobiles Company) have come up with a list of 8 things to consider when making this decision.

1. Dealership Vs Private seller:

This has always been up for debate, buying from a certified pre-owned program puts your mind at ease knowing that the documents are all authentic and verifiable by the dealer, but at the same time is usually more expensive than a private seller. It eventually comes down to a tradeoff between price and peace of mind.

2. Refined research:

Buying a car is a decision that needs to be well thought out and researched. Weeks of digging need to go into it before having a short list. Even after that, you need to research the history of each model regarding of common problems and average running costs.

3. History:

Scrutinize every aspect of the car’s history. Make sure a physical inspection is meticulously carried out by a professional. This inspection usually reveals information about the history of the car and what it has been through in the past years.

4. Have a set budget:

When buying a car, a lot of us go slightly overboard on spending to get the better model or the higher spec car. That’s why it’s important to have a cap based on personal finances and income, then stick to it religiously.

5. Take it for a spin:

This is an obvious one, we hope. Always take it for a test drive, drive it hard but not abusively hard. Most times, you will know if this is the car that you want when you get into the driver’s seat for the first time. The drive will confirm whether you want this car or not; you can always feel it.

6. Internal condition:

A car has many internal parts that are crucial to its running condition. The gearbox, the engine, the axles, drive train, brakes, are just a few. If you are not able to confirm the quality of these on your own, again, have a professional take care of it for you.

7. Mileage:

This is usually thought of as the deciding factor when buying a car. While yes mileage is important but it needs to be complemented by the car’s maintenance history and running condition. For example, a well maintained car with 120,000 KM on it is a better buy than a car with 70,000 KM with missed service intervals. Besides, nowadays there are some people out there that are capable of turning back mileage on cars.

8. Consult professionals:

Whether you are buying from a certified pre-owned program or from a private buyer, always take someone’s opinion who knows what to look out for. This is not much of a need in certified pre-owned programs because the history is there in front of you, but when it comes to private sellers always have a professional take a look at the car.

This may seem like a hassle to some, as making sure the car works well and taking it for a check does take time. Thankfully there are services out there that make this decision simple.

Certified pre-owned programs make this decision rather easy, as you are buying from a dealer. For cars bought from private sellers. Scout My Car helps make the decision easier. Scout My Car is a service where the car you plan to buy is picked up from the seller, and inspected by a certified professional using a 144 point system. The outcome is a report telling you the condition of the car, what needs to be fixed, acceptable price, and a recommendation on whether to buy it or not. These services help to put your mind at ease when it comes to buying your second hand car.

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