Cost savers for buying a used car

Buying used cars can have its potential risks and downfalls; however, the experience does not have to be a painful one. If you stick to a few easy-to-follow rules, you can save more money on used cars than you have ever imagined possible.

According to experts, used cars or nearly new cars that are a year old generally has a retail cost that is about 60% of the original price. You could save more than £4,000 off the list price on a used Nissan. One of the greatest advantages to buying used cars that are only a year old (as opposed to one that is four- or five-years-old) is the fact that you will be able to take advantage of the majority of the vehicle manufacturer's warranty in the case of any mechanical problems.

As mentioned before, there are a few simple rules that you can stick to in order to save as much money as you possibly can when buying used cars.

Do Your Homework

Before buying used cars sites such as Charles Hurstalways recommend to their customers that they do plenty of research before buying a car. A good resource to familiarise yourself with is the latest edition of Blue Book so you will have some idea of current prices on used cars. Searching ads online or in your local newspaper or car sales magazines will also give you some inside information on up-to-date used car prices.

Find the Best Car to Suit Your Needs

The type of used car that you purchase is very important. You should shop around for information on car that you are interested in, and get an idea of pricing to determine if such a vehicle is right for you. To find a used car that is right for you:
• Read car reviews
• Stay up-to-date on the latest car news
• Use search tools featured online to find the best deals on the car you want
• Search insurance costs for the model you are considering

Call Around

Make a list of all of the questions that you want to ask the used car seller, be it an individual or used car dealer. Remember to take a notebook with you when you are shopping for used cars so you can take notes as you are inquiring about different vehicles from different sellers.

Some questions that you should include on your list are:
• How many different owners have had the vehicle?
• How long did the previous owner have the car?
• Has the vehicle had a recent Ministry of Transport test?
• Is the vehicle taxed?
• In what condition is the vehicle?
• What are the previous owner's reasons for parting with the vehicle?
• Has the vehicle ever been involved in a traffic accident? If so, request details.
• What bonus features does the vehicle include, if any?
• Is everything on the vehicle in perfect working order? If not, request details.

If you are calling an individual, always be sure to get a landline number for the seller in addition to their mobile number.

It is also a good idea to do a history check on any of the used cars that you are considering. The history will tell you any instances of theft, financing and scrapping.