Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car
Bassetts Honda Swansea • Sep 14, 2020
When it comes time to buy a used car, Swansea ans South Wales drivers may have lots of questions. We here at Bassetts Honda Swansea have the answers you need.
Where can I find a reliable used car near me?
When buying pre-owned, drivers will have two options: they can shop with an independent seller or with a dealership.
Independent sellers can be fairly easy to negotiate with. However, they don’t have to operate under any quality assurance standards and don’t need to fix up the car prior to selling. For this reason, buying from a private seller can be a risk.
Dealerships, on the other hand, have exceptionally high standards. When buying with them, you’ll have a high-quality vehicle, plus other perks like a free vehicle history report.
Check out online reviews
or ask around to find the best used car dealer near you.
Should I test drive used car?
Yes. A test drive is a must, especially when you’re buying a used car. During the test drive, you’ll be able to see exactly how a car performs and if it’s suffering from any performance issues or damages. Most importantly, you’ll able to see if the vehicle can give you the exact driving experience you’re looking for.
What kind of credit do I need to buy a used car?
When you’re shopping with a reputable dealer, they’re bound to have a skilled and experienced finance team on site.
That means that they can work with all types of credit. So, whether yours is good or bad, they should be able to help.
How many miles should a used car have?
On average, drivers will put about 12,000 miles a year on a car. So, if a car is four years old, ideally it shouldn’t have more than 48,000 miles on it.
Of course, beyond this marker, the number of miles or years on a car is all up to your preference. If you prefer something closer to new, then shoot for low mileage. Otherwise, just go with what fits your tastes!
How are used cars valued?
The three key ingredients for valuing a used car are as follows:
- What model year do you have, and how outdated might it be?
- Mileage tends to be equivalent to wear. So, if a car’s mileage is higher than average, it’s going to affect the value.
- Whether the issue be cosmetic or performance-based, condition can greatly sway the value. Head off any issues in your car by cleaning it regularly and taking care of all the routine maintenance.
What should I look for when buying a used car?
Mileage and car condition
are the two most important factors.
While some drivers like to get a new car every few years, others are looking to commit for the long haul. If you fall into the latter category, be sure to look at a used car’s odometer before purchase. Those that are lower in mileage should be easier to get more years out of.
Ask for a Vehicle History Report
Find out if the car was ever in an accident and exactly what the damage was if that’s the case. When you visit a dealership, it should be easy to access the car’s history report. This is the document that will tell you if the vehicle has been in any prior accidents. A car with a clean record is sure to last a bit longer, particularly if it still has all original parts in place.
Once you’re certain that the car is in your desired shape, make sure that it’s a good fit for your lifestyle, too. Is there enough room for your family? Does it have the kind of handling necessary to handle the roads in your town (or climate)?
What should I look for during a test drive?
During the test drive, you’ll want to look at the exterior, interior, and the performance of the vehicle.
- When checking the exterior: Any rust on the under body? Do the tires still have ample tread? Dealerships will inspect and clean up vehicles prior to putting them on the lot. That being said, when you visit to look at a used model, you’ll want to make sure it meets your specifications.
- When checking the interior: Is the upholstery clean? Does the car smell nice? Is there enough headroom and legroom? Are the controls and technologies all easy to reach?
- When checking performance: Are the brakes responsive? Does the car accelerate the way you prefer? Is it easy to park or to turn around sharp corners?
Our team will gladly answer questions about a specific make or model, in addition to allowing you to get behind the wheel for your test drive. We invite you to visit Bassetts Honda in Swansea and take your favorite model for a spin.
Contact us online or over the phone today to schedule your test drive!
Visit our dedicated valuation page and complete the details. We will contact you with a valuation, whether you want to upgrade your current car, or just sell it, we want it. Visit https://newcars.honda.wales/car-valuation for more details
We at Bassetts Honda would like to thank all our amazing NHS & Keyworkers for all their hard work during this Pandemic and as such, we would like to offer you a saving of up to £5,400 on selected New Honda's
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