Once you have passed your driving test, you are probably incredibly eager to get your first car and start driving. Now, most people will not be able to afford a brand-new vehicle, and instead, they are going to have to buy a second hand model. Buying a used car is far cheaper, but it isn't without risk. This is why we have put together the following guide so keep reading to learn more.

Dealers’ vs Garages vs Private Sellers

There are a few different options when it comes to choosing to purchase a second hand vehicle. You can either choose to buy from a dealership, garage or a private seller. There are pros and cons to all of the options. For example, a dealer or garage is likely to have had the car tested and inspected prior to selling, although, on the other hand, most private sellers are upfront about the MOT status of the vehicle, which is somewhat similar.

Buying from a private seller is often cheaper, although there are different warranties and protections in place. The choice will really depend on you, what type of car are you looking for? What is your budget? These are obviously incredibly important factors to keep in mind.

Personalising Your Used Car

You can look into personalising your car to help put your own stamp on it. In some cases, it is easier to personalise a used car, as you will have extra money put aside that you possibly would have spent on a brand new car. Personalising a second hand car is also easier than you might think too; between private plates from Regtransfers, eyelashes, steering wheel and seat covers, the car soon starts to feel like yours.

Viewing A Vehicle

After you have decided where you want to purchase your vehicle, you will then need to go and take a look around and view some options. If you have makes and models in mind, then this can help you to narrow down your options, but still, if you don't know what you're looking for, then how can you tell if the car is going to be right for you? There are multiple checks that you should be doing when you are viewing a vehicle.

Kicking the tyres is a well-known phrase and for a good reason. It is a great place to start any car inspection. What does the tread look like? Worn-down tyres will need replacing which is likely to be somewhat costly. Working your way up the vehicle, it is time to check out the body of the car. Is the bodywork decent? Are there any nicks, dents or scratches in the paintwork or wheel trims? Minor issues can be fixed relatively easily and cheaply. While you are checking out the bodywork, you should also look for panel gaps because they can be indicative of shoddy repair work.

You should also ask them to open the bonnet to allow you to look at the engine; you should specifically be looking to check the fluid levels. You should also look at the oil cap and the coolant tank. Everything should look clean and well-maintained. Once you have checked out the engine, you can get in the car. It is worth turning everything on and trying out all of the electrics. Any faults are likely to be easily fixable, but they could be a red flag or a good opportunity to negotiate.

Look out for the windscreen. Are there any chips or nicks? You should also check out the other windows and the lights too. Is the interior of the car well-kept? What does the upholstery look like? Does the car come with any other accessories like a spare tyre or wheel? Is there a jack or a locking mechanism for the wheel nuts? Lastly,the wear and tear with the vehicle should be proportional to the number of miles it has driven.

The Necessary Documents

When purchasing a second hand car, there are a few documents that you will want to see and can expect to get with your vehicle. The most important is the logbook or V5C. When looking at the logbook, you will need to check that the make and model match the car that you are looking at; it is also worth checking the VIN matches too. If you are purchasing the car from a private dealer, then you will also want to check that their name matches the name of the registered keeper. The V5 also tends to outline the ownership history; if the car has had multiple owners in a short span of time, this could indicate an issue with the vehicle.

You will also want to see an MOT and service history for the vehicle if you can. If they do not have one, this can be looked up online. You will want to see whether the vehicle has passed and what advisories it has had previously. A used car history check is also standard for a lot of dealers but might not be possible when buying from private sellers. You can, of course, conduct your own research to find out more about the history of the vehicle itself.

Test Drives

Before you purchase a vehicle, you need to test drive it. Firstly, does the car start properly? Any car that lags or struggles to turn over is likely to need a new alternator or a new battery. Are there any warning lights on the dashboard? What does the temperature gauge do? If the car has been idling while you have been inspecting it, it could be because there is an issue with the temperature, don't be afraid to try turning it off and on again.

The clutch is also important - where is the biting point? Is it easy to find? During the test drive, try to pay attention to whether the car is slipping, does the clutch judder? Are hill starts pretty straightforward? Remember, replacing a clutch can be pricey. What is the car like when it goes into gear? Is it easy to get it in and out of gear? If you are test-driving an automatic, then you will need to make sure that the car is moving smoothly through the changes itself.

How does the steering feel? Is the power steering working as it should, or is the wheel heavy and hard to turn? Is the suspension decent? Does the car feel okay when driving over bumpy roads? During the test drive, you also should be listening to the engine. Never have the radio on during a test drive. How are the brakes? Does the car stop cleanly? Lastly, do you like the car and its performance?

Your Rights

If you are buying the vehicle privately, then you do have less protection than buying the vehicle from a dealer or a garage. The key is to ask questions. If sellers are reluctant to provide or simply do not have the answers that you need, then you should be wary of them. The car has to be described accurately, although, again, private sellers can withhold certain elements of the truth and feign ignorance. If you are buying from a dealership or garage, then there is more legal recourse if they are falsely advertising their vehicles or lying to customers.

In Summary

Purchasing a second hand vehicle will be a necessity for many people who simply cannot afford to pay for a brand-new car. There are a lot of options, and your money does often go further when purchasing second hand. Depending on where you purchase the car from, if you do not have enough in your savings to pay for the car in a single lump sum, then there are still financing options if you go through a dealer or private seller.