One of the best ways to save money on a new car is by buying second hand. The great news is that there are plenty of choices on the market in this area, and this leaves car buyers with lots of decisions to make. If you’re in the market for a good used car, you need to make the right choice for your lifestyle, yourself, and your family. So, how should you approach the second hand car buying process?
Some Tips for Buying a Used Car
The good news is that there are lots of second hand cars in Canberra available at reliable dealerships, so how can you make the best decision? Consider the following advice:
- Budget is important: Buying any car, whether it is new or second hand, represents a sizeable investment. This is why it’s important to have a budget in mind when you’re looking around the dealerships. One thing to remember is that if you’re buying a second hand car, it may need repairs and maintenance sooner than a new one would. This is not always the case, but it’s worth keeping these extra costs in mind for your budget. If you have to spend a lot on financing to get the car you really want, maybe it’s not the car for you and you should look at something more affordable.
- Your list of cars: Even before you set foot inside a car yard, you should have a short list of the cars you want to look at. There are many makes and models available, but if you have a tight budget, make sure you have options on your list. You might really want a Camry, for example, but your budget might compel you to look at a Ford instead. Just make sure that your decision-making process is flexible enough to accommodate more than one possible choice. You’ll also want to make sure that the cars on your list meet your needs when it comes to fuel efficiency, roominess inside the cabin, and so on.
- Vehicle history: You’ll be buying a second hand car, so it will already have had one or more owners. This is why it’s a good idea to look into the history of the vehicle as much as possible. Check whether it has been in an accident and check what it has been used for. Sometimes, cheap used cars have lots of mileage on the clock because they’ve been used as government cars or hire cars.
- Test drive and mechanical check: You should always take the car for a test drive if you have the opportunity. This way, you can drive it on the open road and get a feel for how it handles. If you have the chance to take it home for a night or two because the dealer is optimistic about a sale, it’s also a good idea to organise a mechanic to check it for any faults. Otherwise, you can arrange for an RAA mechanical check as part of the sale process.
Making the Right Choice
There are plenty of things to consider before setting foot in a car dealership, but many of them involve simple common sense. Do some research, have a short list, take the car for a test drive, stick to a budget, and have a mechanic check it out if possible.
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