Factors To Consider When Buying A Used Car

When it comes to buying a used car, you want to make sure you get the right car, for the right price. Used cars, by definition, are not new, they have a history, and it’s a series of historical information that makeup what the car is now. There are important factors to consider when buying a new-to-you car.

Honest and Professional Pre-purchase Car Inspection in Melbourne, VIC

We have been in the automotive industry since 1984, ranging from apprentice, through to master technician, workshop foreman, controller, service advisor and service manager, in numerous premium vehicle businesses. We have built a level of loyalty that in the 21st Century is vital. After all, customer service and care is a point of difference.

We hope we are able to help you out with your needs. Our business is also known as Prepurchase Check.

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The Car’s Age

One of the first things you need to consider is the car’s age. The term ‘used’ simply means ‘not new’ so you can find cars ranging from six months to sixty years or more, falling into this category. Your first consideration is to really decide how old is too old for you. Cars of a certain age don’t come with certain luxuries or safety features that we have come to expect in new cars – can you live without them?

Lifestyle

It's important to buy a car that suits your lifestyle now and in the future. A minivan could be a better choice than a compact sedan for a woman who has one child now but plans to have more in the future. Similarly, a commuter who drives more than 100 kilometres per day will be best served by a small SUV rather than a full-size SUV. Finding your balance and deciding on the best choice for your lifestyle is conceivably the most important aspect to consider in your used car search.

Value And Cost Of Ownership

Finding a vehicle that retains its worth well over time is the next step in ensuring continued money savings down the road. The old adage, "A car loses value the second it is driven off the lot," may have been true in the past, but in today's market, it is becoming increasingly false. Vehicles are thoroughly researched by trusted outlets such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) to find out how they hold their value over time and also rate vehicles based on their 5-year cost of ownership. By utilizing this helpful data, drivers are saving more money than ever before on their used car purchase.

Test Driving The Car

Spending time with the vehicle will give you an idea of how comfortable it is to drive and if everything is working smoothly. Ask the seller if you can test drive the car on different road surfaces such as flat roads, uphill, highways and areas with sharp cornering.

The Previous Owners

Some people treat their car with the utmost respect, keeping it clean, driving it nicely and servicing it on time. Others see their car as a dumping ground that gets them from A to B or they race around with little regard for their poor car’s engine or exterior! The number of owners a car has had is important to consider when buying a used car. The more owners a car has had, the more likely it has had at least one of the latter driver type. So, try to choose a used car that has had few owners, there’s more chance that it has been well looked after.

Warranty

Buying a used vehicle with a solid warranty will not only save you money on future unknown repairs, but it can also be a shield to protect your money. Whether it is a factory warranty or an extended warranty offered by the dealership, this added protection can go a long way when it comes to saving your wallet.

Pre-purchase Car Inspection

As much as some of us think we’re backyard mechanics, you can’t go past actually getting a used car checked out by a professional to determine whether it is mechanically sound. There’s nothing worse than driving away with your new purchase, only to find that it has an issue that is going to cost you dearly. Have a professional inspector like German Precision to do a thorough pre-purchase car inspection in Melbourne to ensure that your dream car is operating properly and not a scam. It is worth taking your time when buying a second-hand car as you don't want any surprises after you buy it.

If you are looking for a professional pre-purchase car inspector in Melbourne, do not hesitate to contact German Precision or Prepurchase Check today!

sources: chevroletofnaperville.com, pacifictoyota.com.au, loans.com.au