Buying a Car Privately - Research

Research your needs and options before buying a Car Privately

Although buying a car privately may seem like a riskier option than buying from a dealer, it can be a much less pressurised experience. Of course, you cannot expect warranties unless the manufacturer's guarantees are still valid and, once you have agreed to buy the car, it can be impossible to force the previous owner to take any responsibility for problems that subsequently show up.

When you are actually buying a car privately 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 cars available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a car.

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

Finally, in the Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the 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 cars one to another, and then purchase a privately sold car that really does meet your needs.


Step 1: Research

In order to end up with the 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 cars are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a car.

Research the market: Privately Sold Car essentials

The sources for privately sold cars are expanding all the time. At one time you only had the classified ads in the local newspaper but now there are regional car mart magazines, specialist car magazine classifieds and, of course, the internet. Even online auctions offer a 'buy now' option if you don't want the uncertainty of bidding.

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

Types: You'll find almost everything from two seater sports, compact, family and luxury sedans and station wagons through to sports utilities, multi-purpose vehicles and pick-ups. However you need to know quite a bit about makes, models and engine sizes to understand what you're looking at and to allow you to consider equivalent models made by different manufacturers.

Inspection checklist: Use a list to make sure you perform all the necessary safety checks. Cars are a complex combination of different structures and systems so you'll need to include condition of bodywork and interior, engine, gearbox, exhaust system, running gear (wheels, steering and suspension), brakes, lights and other electrics, heating and ventilation and also the overall impression,

Location and description: You may have to travel some distance to view a privately sold car. Make sure that your journey is worthwhile by asking as many questions as you can over the phone to eliminate high mileage, poor condition or worn out models. Read as much as you can from the advertisement. They often reveal as much from what is missing as they do from what is said. A cell phone number could mean that the car is being offloaded by a dealer who is avoiding his legal responsibilities. No mention of condition or mileage could mean that they are unacceptable for the age of the car.

Cost: Work out how much you can afford. If you will need a bank loan, arrange this before you go looking to avoid unnecessary delays. Private owners are more open to bargaining than dealers, especially if they are becoming desperate to sell. So it is always worth looking at cars whose asking price might be above your preferred price.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a car. For example, will you use the car only for occasional traveling or will you be commuting every day?

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 bought a car privately before?
	If you have bought a car privately, work out what you did or didn't like about the car and the process. You may be hoping to do a better deal, or even trying to avoid any particular features of the vehicle or aspects of the purchase that you found inconvenient.

Why do I need a car in the first place?
	You may be a teenager who needs a test-bed for your mechanical skills or you might be replacing an existing car that is no longer viable. Or are you in need of a status symbol?

What type of car am I looking for and why?
	List carefully everything that you will use a car for and justify to yourself that a specific model is necessary. Does the family need a multi-purpose runabout?

What running costs can I afford?
	Older, larger cars with more powerful engines tend to be more expensive to run on a daily basis than younger, smaller cars. Fuel consumption, spare parts, servicing and insurance all need to be considered.

Could I spot a turkey?
	Be honest! To an experienced auto engineer cars that have had collision damage or that are grafted together out of two totalled cars are reasonably easy to spot. Would you know what to look for?

How much do I want to pay?
	Get up to date with car values by using trade guides, if you can get your hands on them, as well as online sources and general observation. How much can you afford?

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 cars and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.


Video Links

Buyz123.com Research Links:

Advantages of Buying a Car Privately

Buying a car privately

Buying Privately Overview

Tips on how to buy a vehicle privately

Consumer Smarts: How To Buy A Used Car Privately

Buying Used Cars - A Guide For New Drivers

Protecting Yourself When Buying A Car Privately

Establish what vehicle would best suit your needs

Risks of Buying a Car Privately

FAQs: the risks of buying a car privately

Car Insurance: Buying a car privately