We’ve all heard the horror stories, and despite our best efforts, there is always a risk that a second hand car will end up as a bad choice. The scary thing about a used car is one can never be certain about its history, and when buying from a private seller, one must understand that there would be no warranty, and sold as seen is the normal procedure. It doesn’t have to be that way, and by looking for a reputable dealership, one can pretty much guarantee the vehicle will be in good condition.
- Established Dealer – Most drivers prefer to have something nice, perhaps a BMW or Audi, and by going down the second hand road, you can certainly pick up a luxury vehicle at an affordable price. There are, for example, BMW dealers in Wakefield who have an extensive list of quality cars that all come with a comprehensive warranty, and most of the vehicles would be trade ins from existing customers who want to upgrade.
- Specific Manufacturer – When buying a second hand car from a dealer, you want to be sure they specialise in one particular make of car. It might be BMW, for example, and the dealership would also sell the complete range of new models. Typically, the car dealership will also service the vehicle, and when the owner decides it is time for an upgrade, they will take the car in part exchange for a new model, and once the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected and any faults corrected, the vehicle would be given a warranty and put up for sale.
- Full Service History – Known as FSH in the trade, this is the best evidence that the vehicle has been correctly maintained, and you can inspect the information which is in a section at the back of the user manual. There would be details of all work carried out in the car’s lifetime, with specified servicing intervals and the dealer’s stamp would also be evident. Most car owners are meticulous about servicing, and any vehicle without a FSH should be avoided, unless of course, it’s going for a song.
- Dealership Warranty – This is the crux of the matter, and if the dealer is prepared to offer a comprehensive 12-month warranty on the car, you can feel confident it is in good working order. The car would first be thoroughly inspected long before it is allowed onto the forecourt, and any repairs would be made before giving the car a seal of approval, and because the dealer knows the car’s history, there wouldn’t be any serious issues.
There are many reputable used car dealers online, and whatever the make or model you are interested in, a Google search will bring up a list of local dealerships, and by looking for the all of the above, you should end up with a great car at an affordable price.