Partnered Post
Hey, are you looking to buy a car anytime soon? We wish you every success if so, and we hope that you and your new four-wheeled friend have a very happy time together.
Still, to ensure that you make the right purchase and don’t end up driving away in a money pit, here are a few suggestions as to what not to do within the car-buying process.
#1: Don’t buy the first car you fall in love with
Picture the scene. You’re at the dealership, and you see ‘the one.’ It’s the car of your dreams, with the colours and features that are part of your checklist. You just have to buy it, right? Well, maybe. But here’s the thing with impulse buying, you might well buy the car and then regret it when you see a similar model being sold cheaper elsewhere. You might spend more than your budget allows too. And especially when buying a used model, you might also encounter mechanical faults if, in your enthusiasm, you neglected to check for faults. So, don’t open up your wallet too quickly. You might only suffer from buyers remorse if you do.
#2: Don’t assume new cars are better than second-hand
Buy a new car if you want to. With the latest models, you are guaranteed top-of-the-range features and an increased boost to your street cred. However, if you can only afford an entry-level vehicle, it might be that you can get more bang for your buck when buying a slightly older vehicle on the used car marketplace. You might find that your insurance premiums are cheaper too when going for something just a few years older than the latest model available. So, before falling prey to the ‘new is better’ mentality, check out quality car sites such as JJ Premium Cars and compare the prices you find with the newer models on the market. If you can find an older car that has everything you want, it might make better financial sense to consider the option.
#3: Don’t trust everything the car seller tells you
Now, when buying from a reputable dealer, you have less to worry about than when dealing with a private seller. After all, the last thing the dealer owner wants is bad word-of-mouth about their business. But still, no matter where or who you buy your car from, don’t take everything you hear as gospel. So, if the seller tells you they can give you better value for money on a finance deal, check with other lenders first. If they tell you the car is roadworthy and has passed its MOT, ask for evidence, and still ask a mechanic to give the car the once-over despite any certificated credentials. And if the seller tells you the car is in high demand, be aware that they might simply be trying to hurry along the sale. Use your common sense then, and use our tips on how not to get ripped off to help you make sensible decisions.
