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Buying TIPS

Selling TIPS

Buying TIPS

1.	What type of vehicle am I looking for?

2.	What details must I consider before buying?

3.	Where’s the best place to buy from?

4.	What questions do I ask the seller?

5.	What’s the checklist for a physical inspection?

6.	What about the test drive?

7.	What about Closing the Deal?

1 .

What type of vehicle am I looking for?

Most buyers have a modest idea of what vehicle they want. This reflects so much choice and variety, with so many places to look. Most will browse magazines, newspapers, internet sites and other resources until they find something that maybe grabs their attention.

Unless you have something specific in mind or know what you really want, the choice can be overwhelming.

So what do you really want?

To get some idea of what your next vehicle may be, answer the following:

• What is your budget?

• Do you plan to buy on finance?

• What type of vehicle are you looking for?

• Why do you need this vehicle?

• What are all the things you will use it for?

• Who apart from you will use this vehicle?

• How much mileage do you do each year?

• Are you self employed or get tax benefits?

• Can you afford to maintain it?

• How long do you plan to keep?

2 .

What details must I consider before buying?

Once you’ve decided on something specific, consider the following before buying:

• Budget - for purchase and maintenance.

• Insurance Group and Premium.

• Specification - standard and optional extras.

• Asking Price - dealers, traders and part ex.

• Mileage and mileage adjustment (see parkers guide or what car?).

• History - full, some or none.

• Economy - statistics on fuel economy around town and on the motorway.

• Power - engine size, bhp, tank size and cost of a full tank.

• Space - interior and boot space.

• Safety - airbags, side impact bars etc. Also look at crash test results.

• Warranty - from manufacturer or other.

• HPi check - is it safe to buy?

• Vehicle Inspection - is it safe to drive?

• How long will I keep it - 1,2,3 + years? Will aslo help with depreciation.

• Category - family, saloon, estate, sports, coupe, 4x4 etc?

3 .

Where’s the best place to buy from?

We do not recommend you buy from anywhere straight away as there is so much choice and variety so you should take a good look in as many places as you can before you decide.

If you know what vehicle you want, you may find it quicker, as you’ll save time searching. You can start with the following:

• The Forecourts of Dealers and Traders.

• Internet Sites like ours.

• Classified Ads in your local and national newspapers.

• Motor Auctions, both local and national.

• Car Supermarkets.

• Car Agents, who try and match buyers with sellers.

• Word of mouth. Remember: Be prepared to travel. Statistics show more than 45% of UK buyers will travel 50 miles or more to find their vehicle.

4 .

What questions do I ask the seller?

Here are a few to get you started. Remember, some of these may have been answered in the advert itself, but you can always check again.

• Is the vehicle still for sale?

• Why are you selling the vehicle?

• Have you had much interest?

• What’s the mileage on the clock?

• How much service history do you have?

• When the vehicle was last serviced?

• How many owners has the vehicle had?

• Has the vehicle had any accidents or been stolen?

• Is there any damage to the vehicle?

• Has the vehicle been modified?

• How long is the Tax and MOT?

• Do you have all the MOT certificates?

• What condition is the vehicle?

• Does everything work?

• What extra features does the vehicle have?

• What’s the best price you’ve been offered?

• Does the vehicle come with any Warranty

5 .

What’s the checklist for a physical inspection?

Remember, a new or well maintained vehicle sells itself. If it isn’t, you must look for signs of damage, wear, tampering things that don’t work, and things the seller may not not reveal, which may cost you later.

Here’s a start:

NOTE Print this and use as a checklist to remind you if unsure

General

Examine the vehicle in good sunlight.
Take a friend, expert or witness.
Have HPi or vehicle data check numbers handy.
Make sure your insured to drive it.
Mileage adjustment. Either check this in What Car/Parkers Guide before the viewing or take a copy along.
Use a magnet in case you suspect filler (may be fibreglass).
Use a torch to see the undercarriage.
Prepare an invoice.
Don’t rush.

Bodywork

Accident damage?
Dents?
Filled and repaired?
Gaps between panels?
Rust? Scratches?
Stone chips?
Uneven colours on panels?
Welding marks?

Electrics

Does every button or switch work?
Wipers, front and rear?
Heating system?
Air conditioning?
Rear De-mister?
Electric windows, mirrors, sunroof, seats, etc?
Radio/CD Player and speakers?
Interior and exterior lights and indicators? Cigarette lighter?

Engine

Clean or dirty?
VIN on plate matches to one on V5 document?
Oil dipstick - level and quality (fresh or sludge)?
Oil leak? Air filter - clean (recent service) or dirty?
Blue smoke (from exhaust) with engine running?
Fluid levels - maintained?
Signs of paint or re spray?
Fan Belt wear?
Radiator (when cool) for leaks and corrosion?

Glass

Cracks or chips?
Different glass shades (replacement)?
Different labels (replacement)?
Rubber Seals around windscreens fit?

Interior

Worn steering wheel?
Worn gear stick?
Worn seats?
Worn handles?
Worn seatbelts?
Tamper marks around dashboard?
Mileage digits aligned or all over the place? Rusty/repaired (filled) sills?

Boot

Floor Bucked or Rippled?
Space wheel condition?
Spare tools and jack?
Evidence of welding or repairs?

Tyres and Wheels

Safe (good tread - coin test) or dangerous (bald)?
Even or uneven wear?
Low mileage but high tyre wear (clocked)?
Matching tyre sizes?

Undercarriage

Dripping?
Rust?
Differences in condition (recent repair)?
Wear on exhaust pipes?
Suspension Push down wings and watch return - fast or slow (shockers worn)?

6 .

What about the test drive?

Watch for the following when test driving your vehicle:

• First time starter?

• Quiet or Noisy?

• Smooth or Satisfactory drive?

• Exhaust Smoke?

• Sharp or slow braking?

• Steering drift?

• Noisy clutch?

• Engine leaks, smells and smoke with vehicle running?

• Electrics working e.g. Air conditioning?

• Lights on dashboard lighten up?

7 .

What about Closing the Deal?

After your vehicle inspection and test drive, you will either want to buy or not. If you’re unsure, you could always return with a mechanic for a second opinion. Once you are ready to close, consider the following:

• Agree a price between the asking price and based on your inspection/test drive.

• Check all the paperwork is there.

• HPi the vehicle with a vehicle data agency and make sure it is safe to buy.

• Agree method of payment (cash, cheque, bankers draft etc) and whether payment is full or deposit based.

• Produce an invoice of sale with buyer/seller details, vehicle details and any conditions before full payment.

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