Buying Second Hand Vehicles 101

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CrazYmonkeY159

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Hey guys I need some advice.

What are the do's and dont's of buying second hand vehicles from popular online sources? (autotrader and gumtree come to mind)

When meeting the seller, what questions should I ask him?

What documentation should I look at?

How are transactions usually carried out? (when buying from a private seller, not a dealer)

What else should I be weary of?

Both of my parents dont know much really :confused: and so am I will confess, thats why I have you guys :)
 
I bought my car through a gumtree seller, the questions are not that different than if you choose to visit a dealer... service history, owners, inspection and test drive. I paid via EFT, paid half, collected car then sent the other half while he kept the vehicle certificate as a safety.
 
There is so many things to look out for, most obvious ones is accident history and any mechanical problems.
* Does the paint all over the car look original? Look in hard to reach places to see if the car was resprayed. You should see either some spray residue or some clear indication that it was resprayed.
* Can you see any oil leaks under the car or anywhere on the engine?
* Can you see evidence of "tampering" with the engine, ie, new gasket seals, worn out screws on tappet cover, missing covers, etc.
* Is the colour of the oil normal on the dipstick? If there is some water on the dipstick or if it turns to a gooey white mush after the engine ran a while, the engine is done for and would need an overhaul.
* If you drive the car, is it smooth or is there a jerking/shuddering on the steering wheel? Also try and go over some dirt, look at the tracks the car left, are there only two tracks (perfectly aligned) or more (car was in a serious accident).

Man there are so much more...

Remember that there is usually a reason the person is selling the car, try and get to the bottom of this ASAP then you will know if you should take the deal further.
 
If buying it privately, I would insist on sending it to AA for a full inspection.

The car can look and drive as clean as a whistle yet have some expensive underlying issues which a professional will be able to pick up.
 
All depends on what car you looking to buy, first you need to know the trade value of the car in mind, second look at overall condition, pop the bonnet and see that there are no leaks, if all is well then take it for a spin and done. Body condition is secondary unless you are very fussy about scratches and bumps etc. Car can look like shyte but drive well or look like new but break down quick, its all a lucky packet at the end of the day.
 
Any idea whats the price of an AA full car checkup?

also, aren't there places that do a free 80-point checkup?
 
Looking for a 2nd Hand Car 80000 to 12000 range, its not worth it to go for a new car for me (student) but i dont want to burn my fingers with a car that has subtle yet expensive mechanical damage.

My parents have never bought a 2nd hand car that isnt from an auction so they just trying to be careful. thanks guys
 
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