CARRENTALS.CO.UK – DRIVING TIPS SERIES - No. 9

Tips on Buying a Car

The prospect of buying a car can be exciting, but for many it can be daunting, complicated, and often disastrous. There’s a lot to consider and if you’re no car expert, it’s easy to end up with a lemon, so continuing carrentals.co.uk driving tips, here are the top tips for buying a car:

  • Colour Choice - Choosing the right colour of car can dramatically affect the price when you come to sell it. Metallic finish paints are the most popular at the moment and they can be worth an extra £2,000 more than the same model with a flat finish when you come to selling it.
  • Go Green - Try to help the environment by choosing a car that matches your needs e.g. only buy a people carrier if you can fill all the seats. Other green issues to consider are that a heavier car will use more fuel to start and stop, automatics use more fuel than manual drives and newer cars are generally better for the environment.
  • Check List - Levels of car safety can vary significantly from one manufacturer to another. When buying a second hand car check the general mechanics (e.g. can you reach the controls and see the road clearly), the MOT and log book and whether there are Anti-lock Brakes, airbags, seatbelts with pre-tensioners and tyre pressure monitoring that warns you of a slow puncture.
  • Shop Around - If you are buying a new car there are several places to look so shop around. Franchise dealers tend to know a lot about the cars they are selling and will be first with the latest models, but they also usually have the highest prices. Independent dealers have more choice and will tend to be cheaper, but a lot of the cars tend to be European imports and they don’t always offer comprehensive after-sales support. Buying on the Internet makes it easier to compare price and availability and you will usually get a good price, but you can’t test drive the car or even see it before you have paid and it has been delivered.
  • Supermarket or Auction - If you are looking for a used car, franchise and independent dealers are still an option but you should also consider car supermarkets where there is a huge choice and some of the best prices available, though check that you get a warranty and don’t expect to haggle. Auctions are great if you have the technical know-how but make sure you know the terms of sale and your legal rights. If you choose to buy from a private seller it is advisable to get the vehicle checked over by an expert before you buy.
  • Set a Budget - When setting your budget make sure it includes insurance and road tax and always check that the final price offered includes any delivery charges. If the car you want is just outside your agreed limits, try haggling – most car dealers expect it.
  • Routine Checks - Before you hand over any money check that you are happy with collection or delivery arrangements and familiarise yourself with the warranty conditions, checking for things like having to pay for routine checks for the warranty to remain valid. Also ask if there is a 30-day no quibble plan but again, check the terms and conditions before signing.
  • Mileage - If you are buying a used car, look out for clocking where the odometer has been wound back on a high mileage car – look for worn screws on the dashboard that indicate it has been tampered with, or chips on the bonnet and bumper that suggest it has done a higher mileage than being shown.
  • Car Cons - Another trick used on second hand cars is the cut-and-shut, where the remains of two or more cars, usually accident-damaged, are welded together and illegally given the identity of one of the wrecks. It’s usually very difficult to spot one from the outside, but the most common joint is along the top of the windscreen where the front of one car has be joined to the back of another. If in doubt, arrange for an expert to check such as the AA Car Inspection or a vehicle examination from the RAC.

Disclaimer - These tips are not exhaustive and are for information only. carrentals.co.uk can not be held responsible for any losses incurred as a result of acting on any information contained herein.

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