Buying a car is not something that should be taken lightly. It is a serious investment! Yet many people still rush out and end up with a lemon. Before you look for your perfect car, consider the following common mistakes people can make buying a car, and hopefully you’ll avoid repeating them.
Budget blowout
While you may have a firm idea about the budget you want to spend on the actual car, many people fall down when they fail to factor in all the associated vehicle costs like registration, insurance, maintenance and running costs.
Lack of research
Many people fall in love with a car and buy it straightaway, forgetting to do any market research. Get an idea of a car model’s current market value by spending some time searching car ads or online sites like Your Next Car. Remember the old adage if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! So be wary if you find a car where the price is lower than the market price should be.
Not taking a test drive
People who don’t test drive before they buy will regret it. The best way to know if it is the car for you is to sit in the drivers seat and drive on as many different road surfaces as possible. Use all the gears, test the handbrake and listen for any screeches, banging or strange engine noises.
Not checking out the car
Make sure you have a thorough look over the car yourself, and have the car checked out by an independent mechanic or automotive centre who can properly look over the car to make sure it complies with safety regulations. It could save you thousands by revealing mechanical problems and previous damage. Also no matter how genuine the seller seems, you should also check the history of the car. This to make sure it’s not stolen, under an outstanding loan, or has even been previously written-off.
1 Comment
I’ll keep this all in mind when we need a new car. My husband is a big researcher, though!