(Image Source: Flickr)
After a house, a car is often the next major purchase you might make. Given the cost of a vehicle, it makes sense to ensure that you know exactly what you are buying. If you are looking at a second hand motor the first time around, then it makes sense to know what to look for. It is always a good idea to take a seasoned motorist with you when purchasing your first vehicle, because they will know the kind of things that will make one car more roadworthy than another. This article offers some tips on buying a car, particularly if you are new to the process.
The Cost of a Vehicle
Getting a brand new car is great, at least if you want some kind of status symbol. What you need to bear in mind is that the value of a new vehicle depreciates dramatically once you have bought it. While there are some companies that offer special deals on new vehicles, with a chance at changing every two or three years, this way of purchasing a car can be quite expensive. It is always a good idea to know exactly what you want from a car, and whether the money might be better spent on a second hand vehicle.
Is Second Hand Worth the Trouble?
It’s not always clear what might be wrong with a vehicle when you are buying it. Most owners who want to sell their car will be honest about any problems the vehicle might have, but that’s not always the case. Even if this is not your first car, it’s always a good idea to take someone with you who is more knowledgeable, as this could save you a lot of problems, and money, over time.
The strange thing about purchasing a used car, rather than a brand new one, is that many used vehicles do not depreciate in value at the same rate as new cars. So you could be much better off in the end if, say, you bought a second hand Nissan, than if you purchased a new one.
Maintaining Your Car
One of the more important things that you need to think about when purchasing a second hand car is how much it’s going to cost to maintain. When looking at second hand vehicles, checking the mileage is one of the more important things. The more mileage a car has done, the more likely it is that it will need work doing. Things like tyres, the clutch, and the exhaust may not work as well on a vehicle that has a lot of mileage on the clock as they would on one with lower mileage.
What to Look For
It is always a good idea to take someone with you when purchasing any vehicle, but especially a second hand car. A more experienced driver will know to check wear on the tyres, ask about the clutch and brakes, and check the mileage, among other things.
