Are you looking for a used car and especially curious about what to look for? Here you will find the best tips for buying a used car. In a few steps, you can be sure that you will soon have your ideal used car at your doorstep.
Whether it’s your first time buying a car or your used car, it’s still a bit exciting. That’s why we’re giving you handy tips to prevent a bad buy. A car is quite an expense, so we understand that you want it to be the right vehicle.
Table of Content
1. Choose the right car for you
Maybe you already have a clear idea of what your next car will be. A favorite brand, your favorite model or the car you’ve driven before and that you know you like. If you don’t know, it’s useful to think about what the right car is for you. Think about what you’ll use the car for, how many kilometers or Miles you’ll drive each year, how much you want to spend, how many people you need to fit in your car, which options you find important and whether you want to shift manually or automatically.
2. Take a test drive
When buying a used car, a test drive is a must. Pay attention to whether you hear any strange noises while driving. Also, check whether your car brakes well by pressing the pedal firmly when no one is driving behind you and make sure that all the gadgets are still working properly. Does your car also shift well and does everything feel good? Then it might be your new car.
An Extra Tip: drive on different types of roads during that ride. Then you know for sure that your mirrors will not fall off when you drive over the city or that your roof will blow away on a highway.
Before you take a test drive, has the engine been warmed up? suspicious circumstances. Find out why the engine has been warmed up by asking the owner. When the engine is still cold, it could be difficult to start.
3. Ask explicitly about defects
The seller is obliged to report any defects and faults in the car. So ask about them explicitly. Incidentally, you also must investigate. Your part is already the test drive in any case. A purchase inspection also falls under this – it is best to have this carried out by an independent party.
4. Check Maintenance
The best question to ask is: is the maintenance booklet present? It is good to know whether and how your car has been maintained. And what about the odometer? You can request an opinion of the registered mileage via the RDW.
Does it all seem to be in order? Then record the odometer reading in the purchase agreement. If it turns out later that it was tampered with, then you at least have a legal leg to stand on.
5. Look beyond the mileage
Mileage doesn’t necessarily say much about the car. If it belonged to an old granny who only used it for grocery shopping, that can also be a big burden on the car. Driving short distances all the time and letting the car stand still a lot is not good for the car.
A car with a few kilometers is not always in a better condition than a car with more kilometers. The maintenance also says a lot about a car. So try to find out how the car was used: what distances were driven, did the car stand still a lot (inside or outside), and did it.
6. Does the second-hand car retain its value?
We all know that a brand-new car immediately loses value as soon as you drive it out of the showroom. That is also the reason for many people to look for a second-hand car. Do you want your car to retain its value reasonably well? Some brands are much more popular than others. That means that it is also easier to sell such a car and that you get more money for it.
The reverse also applies, so the purchase is also a bit more expensive for you. For example, the Mercedes B-Class is a stable value car, but you can also make a good estimate yourself if you look at the following things:
- Color: Black cars are more popular than flashy colors like bright yellow
- Size of the car: small cars retain their value better than larger cars
7. Pay attention to the warranty
A guarantee on a used car is not self-evident. Therefore, always check the guarantee conditions and have them recorded in the sales agreement. This way, you will not be faced with surprises if your car breaks down halfway through the journey home. At auto.nl, the guarantee is always included when purchasing a used car. That’s nice.
8. Let’s negotiate! Or not?
Most people hate negotiating. We get it. If they have any offers also they will let you know including everything. No hassle, no hidden costs, and the same price for everyone.
With other sellers, it can be a matter of negotiating. So take someone with you who likes this and prepare yourself well. Research in advance what the car is worth approximately and in such a case, pay attention to things that can influence the price during the test drive.
Where is the best place to buy a second-hand car?
Buying a second-hand car is just a tad more exciting than buying a brand-new one. You can find in google or local car dealers by this way you have more certainty than when you score it via a sales corner on Facebook.
