Looking at practicality first, your three main choices are saloon, hatchback or MPV. Which one you choose will depend on the size of your family and of course your budget. Hatchbacks tend to have larger boots than saloons and easy access. When you go to view a car it’s a good idea to take a bulky items that usually goes in your car boot like a buggy or child’s trike along to check the fit.

When it comes to getting your kids in and out of a family car, good wide doors are the thing to look for. This is where MPVs come into their own with sliding rear doors and 7 seats (perfect for families with more than 3 children who need child seats). Citroen, Fiat, Ford and Kia all do 7 seat MPVs with a variety of specifications to choose from. Talking of seats, another useful feature to look for in a family car is stadium seating. Forget Bon Jovi — this just means the seats in the rear are higher than those in the front.

Functionality of used cars

Always check out the functionality of your potential new car’s features. For example, can you turn the front passenger airbag off easily? That will be essential if you want to carry a car seat in the front. Other family friendly extras to look for are ISOFIX mountings letting you switch child seats in and out easily. Plenty of pull down tables, seat pockets for toys and games and 12 volt sockets for plugging in games consoles and DVD players will help those car journeys go a little smoother too.

Reliability

Now for reliability. Some brands have a great reputation for low breakdown risk. The Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Honda Accord came out top in research done by Warranty Direct as the most reliable. The worst offenders at the bottom of the list were the Renault Espace, Mercedes R-Class and Vauxhall Vectra. A warranty is another thing to consider when looking at a second hand car. Paying a slightly higher price might save you money on unexpected repairs later.

Research for used cars

When buying a used car, it pays to do your research. Make sure that the MOT is fully up to date. Be confident about opening the bonnet and taking a full look at as much of the car as possible, from the condition of the tyres to the interior and the engine. It’s worth knowing the price of basic car parts when considering the ease and practicality of replacing things like wiper blades and mirrors on a second hand car. For instance, Duramax Head Studs will cost you around $330. Some brands will have much higher repair and replacement costs than others. Always consider the mileage against the age of the car. If the car is older but has a low mileage you might get a good deal, but be wary of older cars with excessively high mileage.

When you call a dealer or an individual, always ask some basic questions to avoid ending up with a stolen vehicle. Ask for the registration number, make, model, tax disc details and MOT test number. Then get online and enter the car number plate into the DVLA’s vehicle enquiry service and make sure the details match up. You should also ask the seller to show you their VC5 certificate (the log book) and check it has a DVL watermark.

Once you’ve done all of that you can get down to the really important question: what colour do you want your new car to be?

Why not share your tips for buying a used car?

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Clean it

While it is not all about the looks when it comes to used cars, cars that look maintained will surely fetch a higher price than those that seem neglected by their owners. So, in order to compete with all the professional car dealers who have their cars looking superbly all the time, you have to clean it well. You can consider having it checked, cleaned and detailed by a professional. They will certainly do a good job, while saving you time.

Under the hood

The buyer will also be interested in the state of things under the bonnet. When you open it, you do not want the buyer to be put off by oil stains, lots of dust and rust on your engine and other essential things. This is why you should also spend some time on cleaning and refurbishing the inside of your car. The engine should look impeccably, with the other things like wires, plugs and other visible things following close by. This will give the buyer the impression that you have really cared about your car and that you have not damaged it in any way. It is always better for a car to look clean and maintained than to look like it has been through three wars and four Paris-Dakar rallies.

Fix what you think needs to be fixed

If your car is damaged in any way, it is usually recommended that you fix the problems before showing the car to the potential buyer. Most of the damages will affect the price of your car, because the buyer will suspect lessened functionality. Since buyers are usually looking for a functional car, there is a great chance that a damaged car will repel them from following with an offer. So, go to your mechanic and have him see what needs to be fixed in order for the car to fetch the full price. However, you should be aware that any major repairs will usually make the buyer suspicious. Repair only the things that will really increase the value of your car.

In the end, all that I can say is “Good luck!” Car selling is a tough job, because you have to compete with all those used car dealerships that are professional in their work. With these few simple tricks that will take a little time, you will be able to stand up to them and be on par with their offers. Hopefully, you will find a buyer soon.

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Budget and Loans

When buying a used car, you need to calculate precisely how much you will be able to afford. Trying to buy a used car that is much higher than your budget allows will only cause problems.

If you find that you need a loan to help you buy a used car, you should refrain from getting a full loan. Getting a full car loan will only cause you to lose money later on because cars depreciate with time.

Also, if it’s absolutely necessary that you get a loan to help pay for at least a portion of the car, you must not get a finance plan from the used car dealership that you plan on buying the car from. If you do that, the dealership is almost guaranteed to cheat you out of money. They create their finance plans to give their dealership the most money possible.

Instead of getting a loan from the dealership, take time to look around for an establishment that will give you a loan you need without ripping you off. A tip to finding a good place to get a loan is to avoid places that say they won’t refuse any applications. These places are less than reputable.

Roadworthy Certificate

When you are looking to buy a used car, it’s vital that the dealer has a roadworthy certificate for the car you are planning on purchasing. Do not buy a car without one. A roadworthy certificate guarantees that a car is in good condition and is safe to use on the road. Inspectors check the car’s brakes, tires, and other components to make sure they are in proper condition. This certificate protects you as a driver and saves you money. If you buy a car without a roadworthy certificate, you may be buying a vehicle with many major defects that will cost a lot of money to fix.

Avoiding the Tricks Used by Dealerships

There are several tricks that dealerships might use to make a car with problems look perfect so that you will buy it. In order to avoid buying a bad used car rife with issues, it’s important that you recognize when a dealer is trying to trick you. Some of these tricks include:
– odometer tampering
– new floor mats
– new paint job

Dealers may say that a used car you’re considering has little mileage. If you inspect the car and find that it has brake pedals or a driver’s seat that is worn out, this can reveal that the car has a very high amount of mileage. Don’t fall for this trick, and don’t buy a car with these signs.

Another trick is when you see brand new floor mats in the car. This is suspicious. You should check under the floor mats to see if there is a problem underneath such as dampness or other issues.

Another mileage trick dealers could use is odometer tampering. Take a close look at the odometer to see if there are scratches or fingerprints on it. This may indicate tampering.

A new, shiny paint job could be a bad sign. This trick can help cover up damage from a car accident. Make sure all panels are the same color.

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So, what keeps you from buying a used car? Do you think your relatives, friends, or neighbours will mock at you? Are you ashamed of using a used car thinking that it may lower your reputation? It these are the things that are worrying you, then keep these worries aside and set out to buy a used car today. Many used cars look as good as new ones and are in a perfect working condition.

1.Plan your budget. If you are willing to spend a small amount on repairs that are required in a used car, then it is definitely a good bet than spending a humongous amount on a brand new, sparkling car. Your budget will decide whether you can go for a domestic car or imported cars.

2.It is very important to know the history of the used car that you wish to purchase. If the car has gone through multiple repairs in a short time and needs to be serviced more often than it is used, then it is not a good option. You will waste money on such cars, and they won’t be of any use to you. If the passengers of a car have gone through major accidents, then don’t even consider the option of buying that particular car. You may hire the help of a good car mechanic to test the car, its parts, and its usability.

3.It is a good idea to test-drive a car before purchasing it. If you are still learning to drive, you may take along a friend or an acquaintance who knows how to drive. This way you will ensure that the car that is being sold to you isn’t of junk quality. Cars that are inefficient in fuel usage, give rise to enormous pollution, and produce weird sounds on usage are as good as junk. If your car gives way on just covering a short distance, rethink your decision to buy that car.

4.Gear manoeuvring should be easily done; else your car is severely damaged and may cause accidents. Sudden change of gears like use of reverse gear when faced with another vehicle or block is of paramount importance in smooth driving and saving yourself from a mishap. If the tyres aren’t of the best quality, you can always replace them. But, if the core parts like internal engine are malfunctioning, then the car is not fit for purchase.

5.Calculate the total cost of the car plus the cost of the repairs to be done. If that is much less than the cost of a brand new car, then the used car is worth purchasing. Else, it is not worth the deal. Whether you want to buy used classic cars or cars of the new era with the latest technology, make sure you are update with all the required checks and not making a hurried purchase.

Author: Charles Rodrigues – Follow him on Google+.

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There are several good reasons to purchase a second hand car. Another benefit you receive when buying old used cars is that you can steer clear of depreciation. Buying a new car means its value can go down the moment you take it away from your dealer’s shop. The key to having an excellent used car at a reasonable price lies in making the right choice. Here are 5 things you must consider prior to buying old used cars.

Get Acquainted With Various Car Models, Prices & Technical Specifications of Old Cars

Prior to deciding on buying old cars, it is vital to get fully acquainted with various car models, prices and their technical specifications. It is best to choose a car that best suits your image and lifestyle. Another thing you need to consider is the age of the second hand car. In order to pick an old car that is in excellent condition, you need to test drive some cars of the similar model. This will help you know the car’s condition.

Familiarizing with Car’s Market Value – Vital for Price Negotiation

The best way to get the used car at a reasonable price is to know the market value of the car. Check second hand cars having similar mileage and those that are in good condition prior to buying the car of your interest.

Access Amount of Money You Can Afford for the Old Vehicle

Try sticking to your budget before deciding to buy an old car. Assess sincerely the amount of money you can afford to pay for your second hand vehicle. Set this as your budget for your old car. Ensure you are not tempted to make changes to your budget plans when you are shown another attractive car model, which is more than the amount of money you actually wanted to spend.

Remember that apart from taking into consideration the cost of buying an old car, you will also need to consider things like insurance, road tax, fuel and servicing charges.

Examine History, Condition of Old Vehicle

Buying a used car having hidden maintenance issues and unknown past can cost you enormously in the long run. Besides, you will not want to know that the old vehicle you bought was damaged due to a major accident, was stolen or subject to some kind of fraud. Ensure to get complete report about the history of the used car before buying it.

It is also beneficial to get your old car inspected by a mechanic for any issues. In order to get a comprehensive inspection of your vehicle before buying it you must visit an auto repair shop. 

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