auto -buying a used car tips

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Sell Used Cars on www.UnoCarDealers.com Buying a Used Car Make a financial plan and stick to it. The financial plan should factor in the price of insurance, fuel, MOT, road tax and servicing. You need to judge what you will be using it for transporting kids, pets, driving long distances often or for free time use. Once you know what you are going to use it for, deciding on the make and model would become easier. Decide how you are going to pay for the car – an individual loan is one choice for this type of buy. It may be best to figure out the economics before going any additional distance, else you may be forced to change your financial plan. Shop around – browse the Internet to get suggestions of the types of car and what the existing prices are. Visit car websites like UnoCarDealers that focus on used car sales. There are in addition certified used car dealers who offer more privileges and safeguards than with buying confidentially. Take a look around a selection of these and be prepared to face hardsell tactics! Inspect cars in bright light – faults may get hidden in dim light. Taking along a friend (preferably a mechanic), may be a good idea. They may notice what you ignore. Inspect the car at the sellers’ house rather than letting them drive it to you. You get an idea where the car is coming from. Verify all the papers carefully – this could save you any future headaches. Inspect in the log book (V5) and ensure the name matches that of the seller (for private sales). Make sure to get the service history and records, MOT certificate (for vehicles over 3yrs old) and receipts for repairs or maintenance. Make sure all the dates add up/make sense. Organize an independent inspection – this often pays for itself as it can raise any potentially serious or costly problems. The RAC and Green Flag offer these, as do many other motoring organizations. Get an HPI check – this is very valuable as it identifies any stolen, written off or cloned vehicles. Get a test drive this should be at least 20 minutes over a selection of dissimilar roads (highways, and city roads). It allows you to make a decision if the car is comfortable and whether it grips well. Pay attention to any bumps, rattles or squeaks that could indicate trouble. Be prepared to bargain, and do not buy instantaneously. It is worth mentioning that you have been looking around and are conscious of cost. DIY Car Inspection This checklist would be helpful to take along to make sure you don’t forget anything. Bodywork – Rust Appear on the inside wings, bulkhead, cross members and chassis members under the bonnet. If you get any it is best to leave the car. Under the car – inspect the side sills, chassis legs, cross members and sub frames. If you feel there is a problem, gently tap the area with a hammer or push hard with your hand. If it gives way, the metal may be damaged. Check for corrosion on the floor. Check that the brake pipes are not crusted with rust Inspect suspension and steering mounts. Engine

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Page 1: Auto -Buying a Used Car Tips

Sell Used Cars on www.UnoCarDealers.com

Buying a Used Car

• Make a financial plan and stick to it. The financial plan should factor in the price of insurance, fuel, MOT, road tax and servicing.

• You need to judge what you will be using it for­ transporting kids, pets, driving long distances often or for free time use. Once you know what you are going to use it for, deciding on the make and model would become easier.

• Decide how you are going to pay for the car – an individual loan is one choice for this type of buy. It may be best to figure out the economics before going any additional distance, else you may be forced to change your financial plan.

• Shop around – browse the Internet to get suggestions of the types of car and what the existing prices are. Visit car websites like UnoCarDealers that focus on used car sales. There are in addition certified used car dealers who offer more privileges and safeguards than with buying confidentially. Take a look around a selection of these and be prepared to face hard­sell tactics!

• Inspect cars in bright light – faults may get hidden in dim light. Taking along a friend (preferably a mechanic), may be a good idea. They may notice what you ignore.

• Inspect the car at the sellers’ house rather than letting them drive it to you. You get an idea where the car is coming from.

• Verify all the papers carefully – this could save you any future headaches. Inspect in the log book (V5) and ensure the name matches that of the seller (for private sales). Make sure to get the service history and records, MOT certificate (for vehicles over 3yrs old) and receipts for repairs or maintenance.

• Make sure all the dates add up/make sense. • Organize an independent inspection – this often pays for itself as it can raise any potentially

serious or costly problems. The RAC and Green Flag offer these, as do many other motoring organizations.

• Get an HPI check – this is very valuable as it identifies any stolen, written off or cloned vehicles. • Get a test drive this should be at least 20 minutes over a selection of dissimilar roads (highways,

and city roads). It allows you to make a decision if the car is comfortable and whether it grips well. Pay attention to any bumps, rattles or squeaks that could indicate trouble.

• Be prepared to bargain, and do not buy instantaneously. It is worth mentioning that you have been looking around and are conscious of cost.

DIY Car Inspection

This checklist would be helpful to take along to make sure you don’t forget anything.

Bodywork – Rust

• Appear on the inside wings, bulkhead, cross members and chassis members under the bonnet. If you get any it is best to leave the car.

• Under the car – inspect the side sills, chassis legs, cross members and sub frames. If you feel there is a problem, gently tap the area with a hammer or push hard with your hand. If it gives way, the metal may be damaged.

• Check for corrosion on the floor. • Check that the brake pipes are not crusted with rust • Inspect suspension and steering mounts.

Engine

Page 2: Auto -Buying a Used Car Tips

• Look at the oil; very black oil indicates that the car has not been frequently or recently serviced. Beige and thick oil indicates that there may be a head gasket escape.

• Inspect the coolant – it should not be red and rusty looking. • Pay attention to the engine start up from frosty – verify that there is no black/blue smoke

emanating from the exhaust. The oil light should go out speedily. Also, there should not be any knocking or rattling noises.

• The car should idle efficiently with no revving, pinking (tinny rattling) or misfiring.

Test Drive

• The car should get into gear simply. There should be no crunching or slipping. Slipping can be verified by driving up­hill in top gear.

• For cars with automatic transmission, make sure to measure the fluid levels. If it smells burnt it is best to avoid the vehicle.

• Verify that the vehicle handles well – its steering is reactive and not shaky and it doesn’t pull to one side.

• The brakes should work speedily and simply. The pedal shouldn’t be resistant and shouldn’t go all the way down to the floor. There should be no shuddering when the brakes are applied. The car should not swerve to one side.

• The tires should all have enough tread (exterior edge of 10p piece) and there should be no furrows. • If the numbers in the odometer are out of line, the odometer could have been tampered. • Be sensitive of the situation of the vehicle and whether this is in line with its mileage. • Look under the carpet between the front and back doors for any signs of welding. This could

specify that 2 halves have been fixed together. This would make the car extremely unsafe.

If you still have worries at this stage it is better to leave the car and look for something else. After all, you also want peace of mind, along with the car. the car and are not responsible for any damages.