Used Car Buying – How To Do It Right.

by

15 December 2023

Automotive

Used Car

Used cars tend to be the most popular amongst UK drivers and it can be easy to see why. Second-hand cars have a lower purchase price, suffer from less depreciation and there is an endless amount of choice!

The main disadvantage of buying a used car is the lack of knowledge regarding its history. When you buy a new car, you will be the first owner and don’t have to second guess how the car’s been treated or if it’s been involved in an accident.

Reduce the risk of something going wrong with your next used car purchase by following these top tips below for safe car buying. 

Know your affordability. 

Before you make any large purchase, you should know how much you can afford to pay for it. This can speed up the buying process if you only shop for cars within your budget. Your budget may be one lump sum to pay for a car with cash or spread the cost into monthly payments with finance. Whichever way you choose to buy your next used car, you should try not to stray from your budget as you may get into a deal that you can’t afford to pay back.

Check the market value. 

Once you know how much you can spend on a used car, it’s time to see which cars you could buy. A quick internet search of local, trusted dealerships can help you to find used cars you can afford. It also gives you an idea of how much the cars you like would cost.

For example, if you’re striving for a used BMW on finance, knowing how much it would cost to buy one can give you an idea of how much your monthly budget could be. Knowing the market value of the cars you want to buy also helps if you’re buying with cash and wanting to negotiate the price. If there’s a similar model from a dealer down the road but with a lower price, you could use this as leverage or get a better deal. 

Check credit score for finance.

No matter if you’re looking for finance for a Volkswagen or a Porsche, the first thing you should do is to check your credit score. Your credit score can affect your ability to get approved for finance and not knowing where you fall on the credit scale can be costly.

A low credit score can make it harder to get approved if your low score is due to missed or late payments in the past or a lack of credit history. This is because you are seen as more of a risk to lenders and are more likely to default on future loans too. If you need to improve your credit score you should do so before applying for finance. 

Check insurance rates.

car-insurance

If you’re buying your first car, insurance rates can be some of the highest around. Newly qualified drivers are more likely to have a road accident in their first year of driving which bumps up the premium. Searching around for cheaper cars to insure and in your budget could help you save money. buying a used car isn’t just about the initial purchase price but also about being able to afford the running cost too. 

Use a reputable dealership. 

You can buy a second-hand car from a dealer or private seller but to help protect your purchase, you should consider buying your car from a reputable and trusted dealer in the UK. Buying from a dealer gives you an added layer of protection and means you are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

This act means you are entitled to a full refund, repair, or replacement if the car is not as described or fit for purpose. Check the status of the dealer with the FCA and read verified reviews of other customers before committing to the sale. 

Check the history of the car.

Used cars run the risk of having a hidden history but you can check the history of a car you are interested in buying for free. You can check the tax and MOT status of a car and get more information by simply entering the registration number into the DVLA website. You can also make a one-off payment of around £10 with a trusted Car History Check website to see if the car has been stolen, previously written off or still has existing finance on it. 

Test drive and check the vehicle. 

Before you commit to buying a used car, you should always test drive it first to see how you like it. Take the car out for at least 30 minutes, drive it on different types of roads, and perform maneuvers to get a feel of how it drives. Also, take this opportunity to park up somewhere and check over the vehicle for any imperfections or damage. 

Read Also:

Nabamita Sinha loves to write about lifestyle and pop-culture. In her free time she loves to watch movies and TV series and experiment with food. Her favourite niche topics are fashion, lifestyle, travel and gossip content. Her style of writing is creative and quirky.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All Comments

I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.

I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.

I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will

Related

Truck Driver

5 Clever Tips Every Truck Driver Should Bear In Mind

Some people are committed to truck driving only for the monetary benefits associated with it. Obviously, truck driving can be an exciting job especially when you're lucky to drive afar, see new places and get to interact with new people during your trips. Truck Driver can make the selection of time when to drive and how to drive?  However, truck driving does come with lots of mishaps that can mar your experience while on the job. Besides normal safety rules for driving trucks, there are a handful of tips you should always bear in mind to avoid discomfort and any other unpleasant experience. Luckily, this very article will show you the 5 clever tips every truck driver should bear in mind. Whether you've been driving for long or just beginning to try your hands on truck driving, you'll likely benefit from following these tips. Clever Tips To Keep In Mind From A Truck Driver Point Of View  Keep Your Diet Balanced and Healthy : In reality, your diet can impact significantly on your truck driving experience. To stay alert and keep your eyes focused, it's vital that you cut back on the intake of caffeinated substances. Also, try to stay away from most of the junk foods you find along the road. By doing this, you're likely to improve in health and perform your driving job excellently. As a truck driver, you're expected to get items delivered within deadlines but again, you have to incorporate the need to stay healthy into your objectives. Get Thrilled : If you're a truck driver who often travels across busy areas for prolonged hours, you're damn likely to get bored. Of course, this is one of the things which make truck driving a seemingly tedious job. For safety on the road and to keep you in a lively mood, you may have to listen to some of your favorite podcasts during driving sessions. Stay Oriented with a GPS : As a truck driver, you're expected to have a clear sense of direction while driving but at times, you could get disorientated by some things. To avoid getting stuck in an instance like this, having some digital assistance will help you out. Basically, a GPS system will provide you with the important needs for navigating routes but you shouldn't be too dependent on the system. Do Safety Check before Setting Out : Whether you are an experienced truck driver or not, you should easily agree that doing a pre-trip safety check can go a long way to prevent you from most of the accidents that occur on the part of drivers. Before embarking on any trip, be sure your truck is in perfect working condition. In addition to doing a pre-trip safety check, endeavor to equip your truck with essential repair tools in case you will have to do slight repairs during your trips. If this seems like too much to handle, you can utilize DOT compliance services to help manage pre-trip checks. Other than that, having a comfortable 18 inch steering wheel can help you have better control of the truck. The use of truck fenders plastics too can avoid you many accidents. It is also good to make sure that your truck has stable dump truck bodies if you want to keep it on the road for longer. Get Prepared for the Snowy Days : The snowy days often surface during winter and of course, winter months can have a frustrating effect on your driving experience. In preparing for the snowy days of winter, ensure you're practicing the safety precautions that will keep you and other drivers safe amidst unwelcome winter circumstances. Read Also : Why Times Are Tough For Truckers And Why It Concerns You 5 Ways Camera Monitoring System Will Enhance Vehicle Safety How To Get A Loan On A Day With Bad Credit?

READ MOREDetails
Commercial Truck Insurance

How To Find Affordable Commercial Truck Insurance

The dawn of the delivery age has given rise to many new businesses. With more and more companies offering delivery options, companies that deliver retail goods are often left searching for cheap commercial truck insurance. While these are the most popular companies using this type of insurance, they aren’t the only ones. Moving companies, couriers, and furniture delivery companies are just a few more examples of companies who may benefit from cheap commercial truck insurance. Just about any business utilizing a large truck will be required to carry certain insurances by state law, leaving many business owners searching for the best cheap commercial truck insurance. Here’s what you need to know about finding the best cheap commercial truck insurance. Know Your State Requirements Each state has its own minimum requirements, even for cheap commercial truck insurance. While the state minimum may have attractive premiums, it may not always be the best choice for your business. The minimum state requirement is often only enough to cover the cost of repairs to other people’s property when you are involved in an accident. Without insurance to repair your own property or your box truck, even a small accident can be catastrophic. If your commercial truck travels between states, there may be a federal minimum that must be met. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets its own federal minimum requirements for commercial trucks that travel between states. Many companies choose to meet these federal minimum requirements rather than just the state requirements. Get Multiple Quotes When shopping for cheap commercial truck insurance it always helps to get multiple quotes from several different companies. Each insurance company has its own underwriting team and acceptable risk amount, so the quotes may vary significantly. Insurance companies sometimes specialize in certain sectors, like large trucks or commercial vehicles, which allows them to offer specific discounts. Sometimes you may get a discount for bundling multiple policies with the same insurance company. Other times, you may get better coverage for less by doing business with more than one insurance company. The type of industry you operate your business in, and your driving record will also affect your premium rates. Consider Your Payment Options Believe it or not, your payment options can affect your insurance premiums. Insurance companies often offer a discount for paying in full rather than making monthly payments. If you must opt for monthly payments, some insurance companies offer a discount for having payments automatically debited from an account. You can sometimes lower your insurance premium payments by raising your deductible. An insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered claim. When shopping for cheap commercial truck insurance, get quotes for different deductible amounts if you can afford it. It is important to have enough money in savings to cover your deductible amount or the results can be disastrous. It doesn’t make sense to purchase cheap commercial truck insurance with a $5,000 deductible if you only have $1,000 in savings. Why Commercial Truck Insurance Costs More When shopping for cheap commercial truck insurance it’s important to understand why commercial truck insurance costs more in the first place. Commercial trucks are some of the largest vehicles on the road and they can cause a lot of damage when an accident occurs. Long business hours also tend to cause driver fatigue and increase the chances of an accident on the road. Lastly, large commercial trucks sometimes carry hazardous materials, which also increases the risk of an accident. All these factors combined cause the cost of even cheap commercial truck insurance to be more expensive, and it tends to go up a little every year. It helps to shop around and install anti-theft devices in your commercial vehicles. Hire drivers with good driving records and keep a logbook. Maintain your commercial trucks and take advantage of safe driving apps or devices offered by your insurance company. Getting Cheap Commercial Truck Insurance Cheap commercial truck insurance does exist, even if it can be elusive. It’s best to get multiple quotes and play with the deductible amount to see how it affects your premiums. If possible, pay your premiums annually instead of monthly or quarterly. Most of all, it sometimes helps to work with an insurance broker who can help you get multiple quotes from several different insurance companies. This is the best way to find cheap commercial truck insurance that gives you the most bang for your buck. Read Also: How To Protect Yourself Legally During An Accident With A UPS Truck Legal Ways to Determining Fault for an Arizona Truck Accident 4 Things You Need To Know About Commercial Truck Insurance

READ MOREDetails
Carpool Service

How to Choose the Best and Most Reliable Carpool Service?

Carpooling, also known as shared mobility, involves two or more users sharing transportation services. The idea has long been promoted in many countries, since it reduces both individual costs and road traffic, among other benefits. If you want to carpool, you should take your time to consider all the options available to you. Your type of shared mobility should suit your daily schedule and lifestyle. At the same time, since you are sharing a car with other people, you want to be sure that you feel comfortable. While there is no perfect carpool service, you can find the most convenient one out of all the alternatives. All you need is the right criteria to evaluate your choices. For instance, you can start with an Uber and Lyft comparison and see which of the two would be the best option. You can also compare them further with other available options. Here are some factors you can consider when choosing a reliable carpool service: 1. Punctuality : Carpooling is supposed to make life easier for you. So, when choosing a carpool service, you would want one that gets you to your destination on time. You would not want to find yourself running late for meetings just because you are saving money. 2. Efficiency : If you are carpooling with the aim of commuting from your home to your work location, you should always ensure that the destinations of your fellow carpoolers are not very much out of the way. This is how you could best avoid being in a car that makes unexpected stops or randomly changes routes. 3. Customer Reviews : Customer reviews are another great way to gauge the quality of services offered by the different carpool services. Most of the time, users share their honest opinions about the services that they have used. If you find too many complaints about a particular service, then you should probably avoid that one. 4. Responsibility : A carpool network that is almost always providing poor service can be very frustrating. Although sometimes mistakes are inevitable, you should only choose a service that is willing to absorb costs arising from their mistakes. Good customer service is a must. 5. Peer Recommendations : Asking people who have used carpool services for their opinion is a great way to find the best and most reliable service. If you can get a recommendation from a close acquaintance, then you will be almost certain that that opinion is an honest one. 6. Experience : Although different carpool services out there provide similar services, you can’t trust just about any service. You should choose a service that has sufficient experience providing carpooling services in your area. This way, you will not expose yourself to inconveniences from a new competitor. As new carpool services are established these days, ensure that you choose one that best suits your needs. Using the checklist above will help your elimination process and put you in a great position to find the best service out there. Read Also : Choosing The Right Anti-Theft Devices For Your Car In Houston TX

READ MOREDetails