If you plan on getting a new car but find that the original retail price is too steep for your liking, how about buying a well-maintained, used car instead? Some used cars can be practically brand-new and have minimal distance travelled on the odometer, making them a pretty good deal.

That being said, you’ll have to do the right amount of research before buying a used car – some may need a bit of repair at your local paintless dent removal in Melbourne, others may require more maintenance than it’s worth, and no one wants to have their money swindled on a car that barely works.

As such, here are a few things you need to know when you’re buying a used car, so you can enjoy your purchase for many more years to come.

Budget and Pricing

It’s best to set an upper budget limit when buying used cars, as you may as well opt for a factory-new model past a certain point! 

Once you’ve set your budget and picked out the car you want, look through the top online car listing websites to have a good idea of how much they go for. 

Be sure to consider the age, distance travelled, and aesthetic condition of the car when deciding if it’s worth your money. The vehicle’s mechanical condition is the most important thing to look out for, but it’s hard to gauge the internals of a car from just pictures and descriptions alone.

Review The Car’s Service History

A good indication of whether or not a used car is worth buying is to examine its service history and see if the previous owner has kept the car in good shape.

All cars should have a logbook within the owner’s manual where a mechanic signs off every scheduled maintenance (when the vehicle has travelled around 10,000 to 15,000km). Ideally, the owner should also have receipts to back up the logbook.

If you find several maintenance stamps missing, be aware that the vehicle in question hasn’t been maintained in a while and may require you to fork out additional expenses, which is a hassle.

Inspect The Vehicle

Be sure to give the car a thorough inspection before making your purchase. A quick list of things to thoroughly inspect in a used vehicle include:

• * Tyres

• * Interior furnishing

• * Engine and engine oil

• * Equipment (air conditioning, mirrors, audio system, parking sensors, and the like)

• * Jack and tool kit

It might be worth getting a pre-purchase vehicle inspection before the sale. Although these inspections cost anywhere from $150 to $400, they could save you thousands if passed on a car with hidden underlying issues. 

It’s best to get a pre-purchase vehicle inspection after you’ve seen the car for yourself and you’re happy to go ahead with the purchase. If you do uncover any issues with the vehicle, you can use the added repair costs as leverage to negotiate a better price with the dealer.

Check The Retailer’s Credentials

Upon agreeing to purchase a car, please take a photo of the seller’s licence and confirm their name matches the registration papers.

Next, locate the Vehicle Identification Number, usually listed somewhere in the engine bay (research online where to find it before inspecting the car). With this number, you can check whether the vehicle has been in an accident, was written off, or still has money owing on it.

Dealership Or Private Sale?

There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to get a second-hand car from a dealership or a private sale.

On the one hand, dealers can provide you with a wide range of cars. Buying from a licensed dealer also guarantees you the vehicle’s title in question without much fuss.

What’s more, according to Australian law, a licensed motor dealer needs to provide their customers with a statutory warranty to cover the cost of mechanical repairs on a second-hand car. 

While mandated warranties provide peace of mind, dealerships sell cars at about 30% higher than private sellers. And while a private sale will be significantly cheaper, you’ll have no protection should your new ride run into trouble soon after the purchase.

Some Final Advice

Buying a used car can be a budget-savvy choice, so long as you’ve done the proper research and given the used car a thorough inspection before committing to the purchase. It may also be worth getting a slightly dented up car for a lower price – you can always consider looking at smash repairs in Melbourne to spruce it up!