Written by Menswear Style in Cars on the 30th September 2018

Buying a used car isn’t the minefield that it once was, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential challenges involved! There’s a lot of factors to consider when you’re buying a used vehicle and it’s certainly not something you’re going to want to rush into. Here, you’ll discover some of the main things you’ll want to look out for when shopping for a used car.

Cost of buying, running and maintaining the car 

The main reason you’re likely buying a used car is to save money. However, it’s not just the buying cost you need to consider. You also need to factor in the cost of travel if you’ll be picking the car up, the running costs and maintenance costs. If you’re buying an old used car, it’s important to factor in the repair costs. If something were to go wrong, how easy would it be for the mechanic to get hold of the parts? If the car is old, it may prove difficult and in turn, more expensive, to get the parts needed.

Are you buying from a trusted seller? 

One of the biggest pitfalls of buying a used car is knowing whether the seller is genuine. There’s a lot of used car scams out there and if you buy privately, there’s always the chance the car could have been stolen. Or, they may lie about the condition of the vehicle. Even if you’re buying through a dealership, it’s a good idea to consider checking the details match up. You can do this through an HPI check with a company such as Cap HPI. With these checks, you can even see if the car's mileage matches up.

Consider taking a mechanic with you 

If you don’t know much about cars, it could be worth taking a mechanic with you when you go to view a model you’re interested in. They will be able to give the car a good assessment both inside and out, to ensure the seller isn’t concealing any hidden damage. This gives you great peace of mind and also ensures you don’t end up wasting your money. These are just a few factors to consider when buying a used car. It is riskier than buying a new car, but as long as you do your research and follow the tips above, you shouldn’t end up falling for any used car scams or wasting your money on an unreliable vehicle.

These are just a few factors to consider when buying a used car. It is riskier than buying a new car, but as long as you do your research and follow the tips above, you shouldn’t end up falling for any scams or wasting your money on an unreliable vehicle.

We provide tips such as buying from a trusted seller and running and maintaining a car in this guide to buying a used car for the first time.