Buying a Used Car - Research

Research your needs and options before buying a Used Car

For many of us, buying a previously owned car is the only option that we have. The cost of a brand new automobile and even the financing are not current options, but are we just buying someone else's problems when we buy used?

Cars are made up of so many moving parts, so many systems all linked together and all capable of going wrong at some time. Buying a used car when you don't understand automobile engineering can be a risk.

So, when you are actually buying a used car the problems you encounter and the number of different options may be confusing and it can be difficult to decide which is your best buy. The Buyz123 three step guide - Research, Evaluation, Purchase - is designed to assist you in this buying process.

The Research step firstly involves investigating essential features of used cars available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a used car.

In the Evaluation step you focus on how well the different features of individual used cars meet your needs, and then how well the most suitable used cars compare in detail, one to another.

Finally, in the Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the used car, what questions to ask and what information you should seek on warranty, customer service, and after-sales support.

As you work though the Buyz123 purchase strategy you will clarify your thoughts about your intended purchase, confidently compare used cars one to another, and then purchase a used car that really does meet your needs.

Step 1: Research

In order to end up with the used car best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of used cars are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a used car.

Research the market: Used Car essentials

Finding the exact make and model that you have set your mind on, especially in the colour you want, can be difficult unless it is one of the really common makes on the road. It's better to keep an open mind and to check out the cars that meet the same general specification. However that can add more questions when you start to consider not only colour and condition but also the endless selection of built-in or optional accessories, music systems, gadgets and options that might have been fitted by the previous owner.

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the used car market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Type: Two seater sports, compact sedan or hatchback, family sedan or saloon, luxury sedan, station wagon or estate car, 4 wheel drive or Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), Multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) or people carrier? Some cars are designed to be adapted to a variety of uses and can be configured to accommodate more luggage or more passengers but others are pretty well fixed. Larger cars generally have larger engines and will be more expensive to insure and run.

Cosmetic Condition: Look for tell-tale signs of heavy use. A well worn drivers seat and seat belt, a worn steering wheel and gear-shift, the drivers carpet is new or is worn through. Externally look for signs of repair; badly matched paintwork on the doors or trunk lid, damaged wheels, uneven or badly fitting body panels.

Mechanical Condition: Check for rough sounding engine noises, difficult gear changing, brakes that that don't pull up straight, a clutch that grabs or squeals, a vibrating steering wheel and any strong smell of petrol or oil.

Cost: Used car prices decrease as they grow older, however larger gas-guzzlers tend to depreciate faster so a compact sedan in good condition might cost around the same as a high mileage limousine of the same age. A two-year old used car may be as much as 25% cheaper than a brand new equivalent.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a used car. For example, will you use the used car only for weekend jaunts or will it be your regular form of transport?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I owned a used car before?
	If you have owned a used car, work out what you did or didn't like about it. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What exactly will I use this car for?
	Do you do a lot of long distance travelling at motorway speeds? Will this car be mainly a town runabout? Is this a first car for a teenager?

What design of car do I need?
	Maximum passenger space and minimum load carrying or vice versa. Does this need to be a good car for towing a trailer or caravan?

How much life should the car have left?
	This depends on if you expect to change the car again in a couple of years or keep it until it collapses.

How much initial updating would I be prepared to consider?
	Used cars could need anything from new tyres to a new engine. Where would you draw the line?

How much do I want to spend and how will I pay for the car?
	Consider how much cash you have available and also how much financing you would realistically be able to take on.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of used cars and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.


Video Links

Buying 'Certified' Used Cars - Info Explanation of what a certified used car means and what can be expected from a certified vehicle. (1m 39s)

Used car shopping tips for women - Info Car buying tips for the smart woman shopper. (1m 39s)

Six tricks to spot a lemon - Info This video shows you six steps to inspecting your next used vehicle to make sure it does not have any hidden problems. (5m 54s)

Buyz123.com Research Links:

Used Car Overview

Overview on buying a used car

How to buy a used car

Tips for buying a used car

Used cars cosmetic/mechanical condition

How to rank a used car's condition

Checking for good cosmetic and mechanical condition

How to inspect used cars