By Blaze Sky
Investing in a second-hand car has its pros and cons – but if you stick to some rules, you surely can come out ahead with this deal. In our article, we point out the obligatory steps to take before making your purchase. Check how to make sure that the vehicle is worth your investment.
Even though it doesn’t drive the direct trade, buying second-hand is actually beneficial to the market. By choosing this path, you support another circulation of goods and many businesses that depend on it – from used vehicle dealers to mechanics.
At the same time, buying second-hand is the most environmentally friendly choice. Of course, the engines of the older cars – particularly diesel ones – have less efficient mechanisms of filtration, what results in a higher contribution to the air pollution problem. However, there are widely available additions such as AdBlue and the particulate matter filters that can make your vehicle much more eco-friendly in this respect.
And, let’s not forget about the decisive factor for the majority of buyers – money. By buying a second-hand car, you can get a model fully adjusted to your needs for an affordable price. In a few years after the purchase, the new cars lose around half of their value – thus, you can find relatively young models at attractive prices.
Preparing yourself for the purchase in 3 steps
We’ve already pointed out why it’s worth considering the purchase of a second-hand car. But how to avoid missed investments?
#1 Do the counts
In some cases, investing in an experienced car that requires some repairs is still more beneficial than buying the new one. In others, the repairs consume too much money to get the investment back.
Consult the possible spendings with the mechanic and sum up all the expenses required to bring the car back to the flawless state. Then, compare it with the sum you’d need to spend for a new vehicle to provide yourself with the same level of comfort and safety. Do the maths!
#2 Verify the VIN number
Carry out a car history check to verify whether the car has a clean record when it comes to theft or accidents. Using VIN, you can also verify the mileage, the year of production, the inspections, archive photos, and the technical data. The last one will be useful when ordering the replacement parts.
VIN number check is free, and you can do it online.
#3 Carry out a technical inspection with the seller
Visiting a mechanic with the seller will give you a base for the future negotiation of the price. If some defects are discovered, there is no way to deny it!
