Buying a car is a big decision and a big financial commitment, too, so making sure that you choose the right car is important. Getting the wrong car or paying over the odds is not what you want, so take time out now to get it right before making the wrong choice.

Private or Dealership

Will you want to buy from a private owner, or will you want to buy from a dealership? There are, of course, pros and cons to each option, and you will need to weigh these up before making a commitment, but briefly, when you buy from a dealership, you get more peace of mind and more access to finance, whereas if you buy a car privately, you may be able to negotiate the price a little more, but you will have little if any come back should your dream car be riddled with problems.

Fit For Purpose

It sounds simple enough doesn’t it, but does the car or model you are looking at fit in with your requirements and needs – is it fit for purpose? When car shopping, it is very easy to get carried away and start looking at dream cars, or cars way out of your budget. So, before you get carried away, step back and have a reality check and ask yourself, “is this car right for me, does it fit my requirements, and is it suitable for me?”

Location, Location, Location

There are used cars for sale up and down the country, but how far do you really want to be travelling. The location of a car is important whether you are buying from a dealership or buying directly from an owner. Try and stay as local to your current base as possible., as this could make the whole process easier. However, don’t dismiss this altogether. You might be able to find some great deals for used cars London based that offer more bang for your buck. Combine the trip to London to get your car with anything purpose to make the most of it and get to enjoy the journey home in your newly bought car.

Previous Owners and Mileage

When you have seen a used car that you like the look of, it is time to start digging a little bit deeper. Do not be afraid to ask questions to establish if the car is right for you. For example, how many previous owners has the car had? If it is only a few years old and has had more than two, you should be asking a few more questions. As well as previous owners, it is important to check out how much mileage is on the clock. Are they motorway miles, or are they country road miles? How a car has been driven and how many people have owned it previously will impact the quality and state of the car and its value.

Being as organised as possible and narrowing down what you want to buy and what you want to spend will make buying a used car an enjoyable process and not one to fear.