Negotiating a Great Deal: A Guide to Buying a Used Car!

Discover the right way to buy a used car with this comprehensive guide. Learn essential steps, common mistakes to avoid, and expert tips for inspection and negotiation to make a smart purchase.

Looking to buy a used car but worried about getting it right? Here are some tips that are sure to help.

1. Set Your Budget, Then Add a Bit More

Star things right by setting your budget. This should be a price you can comfortably afford for your car, but you will also need to ensure you can afford to tax and insure the vehicle you choose too. Building in a buffer is never a bad idea either.

2. Research Like You’re Writing a Dissertation

When you’re buying a used car you need to do even more research than when you’re buying new. You need to look beyond the car’s features and whether it is suitable for your needs, and look closely at its history. You should also look at reviews for the dealer too, so you can avoid any dodgy ones.

3. Check the Car’s History Like You’re Investigating a Crime Scene

A quick search for the car’s history is a must. Has it been in any accidents? Has it ever been a rental car (translation: driven like it’s stolen)? Look for the service history too, because a car that’s been pampered like royalty is way more likely to behave. If the seller’s acting shifty about providing the paperwork, maybe they’ve got something to hide. Walk away with your wallet intact.

4. Take a Test Drive

A test drive is your chance to see if this car is going to be a dreamboat or a nightmare on wheels. Pay attention to how it handles, listen out for any odd noises (clunks, rattles, ominous bangs), and check if the brakes stop the car rather than the car stopping them. And, importantly, make sure you feel comfortable. If you’re squeezing into the seat like it’s a budget airline, this might not be the one.

5. Trust Your Mechanic Mate

If you’re not exactly the car-savvy type, bring along a mate who knows their way around an engine to take a look at that used VW Tiguan for sale that you like the look of. Better yet, if the seller is open to it, get a proper mechanic to have a look. They’ll spot issues you didn’t even know existed—like why does the engine sound like it’s chewing gravel? This little step can save you from buying a car that comes with more surprises than a Christmas cracker.

6. Consider Certified Used Cars

To avoid the wild-west feel of buying used, consider opting for something like a manufacturer-approved used scheme. For example, Jaguar’s Approved Used programme offers inspected cars with warranties, which is like buying a used car with a safety net. Less risk, less stress, more driving.

7. Haggle Like Your Life Depends on It

Buying a used car isn’t a “take it or leave it” kind of deal. The price is rarely set in stone, and a little haggling can go a long way. The trick is to know what the car’s worth before you go in, so you can negotiate with confidence. Worst case, the seller says no—best case, you shave a few hundred quid off the price.

8. Don’t Forget the Paperwork

Once you’ve settled on the car, don’t get too excited and forget about the paperwork. Make sure you’ve got everything in order—logbook (V5C), MOT certificates, and the service history. Crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s here is crucial to ensuring your used car purchase doesn’t turn into a long-term headache.

Buying a used car doesn’t have to give you a headache?>

Hope this article would help you choose the ideal used car.

Lots of love,

xoxo