When you’re looking to buy yourself a new car, there are a lot of things that you need to consider, especially if you’re buying a used car – whilst these can often be the most cost-effective way to buy a car outright, they do come with more dangers that you need to think about before you make the purchase. Don’t let this put you off, however, as there are loads of fantastic used cars on the market that’ll feel as good as new; you just need to know what to look out for and how to find the best deals! If you’re in the market for a used car and need a little bit of advice on how to check you’re getting a good deal on your used car, here are some top tips from the experts at ChooseMyCar to help steer you in the right direction!

Who should you be buying from?

One of the most important things you need to consider when buying a used car is the seller – some used cars are available from private sellers, whilst others are sold by used car dealerships. In general, private sellers present a higher risk to buyers as they are far less reputable and are more liable to provide you with a faulty vehicle due to the lack of restrictions surrounding the sale. Where possible, we suggest that you only buy a used car from a verified seller or dealership – these places will be able to provide you with accurate information about the car, so you know exactly what it is that you’re purchasing, rather than just the word of a stranger.

At a registered used car dealership, you’ll get a better selection of cars to choose from with greater peace of mind regarding your purchase – it’s a no-brainer really! When you’re choosing a dealership, you’ll want to make sure that it’s a used car dealer that has the right processes in place; whilst some carry out thorough inspections on each vehicle to ensure they’re in an acceptable condition to be sold, others are not as thorough and will simply sell on cars without checking first. If you’ve got any doubts about the dealer or the car itself, find a new dealership or ask a trusted mechanic to give the car an inspection before you purchase it.

What can the age and mileage tell you?

One of the easiest ways to gauge how reliable a car may be without expert vehicle knowledge is by reading the mileage meter that’s in the car and considering how old the car is – by comparing these two values, you’ll easily be able to work out how heavy the usage of the car has been over the years. If a car has had heavy usage and averages a high number of miles per year, there’s a heightened chance of that car being more prone to faults and damages, whereas newer used models with lower mileage counts will likely have much more life left in them. Whilst the value on these newer used models may be slightly higher, the value for money you’ll get in the shape of longevity is also increased, making them a worthwhile investment.

Of course, mileage and age aren’t the only factors that you need to consider, and there are cases where there are problems underneath the hood that won’t be identified until you’ve had the vehicle examined and taken it for a test drive.

Test drive it first

Speaking of test drives, that’s actually our final tip! If all looks good with the car in terms of the price, examination, age, and mileage, the final test is to take it for a spin! Without driving the car, you’ll never be able to get a feel for how it drives and whether it’s the right car for you; everyone has their own preferences when it comes to driving, so it’s always best to have first-hand experience in the car before you commit to paying a considerable sum of money.

During your test drive, you’ll want to remain vigilant of how the car behaves, making a mental note of anything that you aren’t too happy with during the drive. Broken mirrors, tatty interiors, irregular engine noises, or a stiff gearbox are all things you’ll want to be on the lookout for as these can signify issues that you’ll need to have fixed before you are able to drive the car.

If you want confidence in your used car purchase, be sure to check out the collection at ChooseMyCar – they’ve curated a vast collection of cars from over 2500 dealerships across the country, presenting cars in every make and model to tailor to every driver’s desires. They also offer options to spread the cost of the car out over manageable monthly payments, making sure everyone is able to access a reliable motor to help them tackle the daily commutes with ease.