There’s no denying that buying a car is a big step. It involves considerable financial expenditure for just about anyone, even given that the average price of new cars has fallen in recent years. But if you’re considering buying used cars in sacramento, there are a few things you need to do before you hand over any cash.
Find out what it costs to insure the car that you’re considering. You’ll be glad you did when you have an accident, because knowing your premium will tell you whether the car is really worth the money.
Never buy from a private seller before taking a car to an independent garage for a pre-purchase inspection, or getting an expert opinion from someone you know and trust. This will give you the chance to identify any problems with a car before you buy it.
Weigh up the pros and cons of buying a car from a private seller, as opposed to buying from a broker, who will have carried out at least some checks on the car’s history or from someone like a leasing company or motor dealer. You’ll usually find that private sellers are selling for emotional reasons – they want to get rid of the car because they’ve had an argument with their wife, say – while brokers and dealers will tend to sell for more practical reasons; they’re selling because it’s time for them -and not you -to move on.
Don’t rush into buying one particular used car. Look for a few that might meet your needs and then compare them. Make a note of the model, year, engine size and condition (dependent upon viewing facilities), the price, the monthly running costs and the price of insurance before you start shopping around. It’s very important to keep track of all this information while you’re looking at different cars.
Check out how practical a particular car is, based on things like its boot space, turning circle (the tighter it is, the easier it will be to park), performance and handling.
If you’re buying a car that’s more than ten years old, make sure it has a full MOT certificate and that it has been serviced within the last six months, at the same time as the tyres and brake discs have been checked for wear.
Don’t forget to check out where you can buy spare parts for used cars before making your purchase. It’s not uncommon for people to go ahead with a purchase without thinking about whether they’ll be able to get spare parts in the future due to unreliable service providers or inflated prices. Many garages will have their own spares departments, so you should use them rather than going direct to a manufacturer.
