Buying a car should not be an ordeal where you’re constantly apprehensive about whether the dealer is being honest with you or whether the car you love the sound of really is as good as it appears or if it’s actually too good to be true.
That being the case, here are some quick tips to help you sort the duds from the goods.
Table of Contents
1. Sherlock Holmes It Up
When you are buying a car, you really need to don your deerstalker hat take a puff on your pipe (metaphorically speaking of course) and do your best Sherlock Holmes impression, Basically, you need to be a detective. You need to find out as much as you can about the car, and the dealer. Looking for signs of a dodgy past or a vehicle history that reads like a novel, for example. Check out every piece of paperwork and find every detail you can, to make sure you know what’s what.
2. Kick the Tyres (Not Literally, Please)
Okay, so you might get a few funny looks if you literally kick the tyres at the car dealership, right? So that’s probably not necessary, but giving them a metaphorical kick by ensuring that you fully check them, and every other aspect of the car, out, is really important. Look under the bonnet, check the oil, and inspect those tyres for wear that could indicate more serious problems. If it looks like it’s been through the wars and back, it might be time to walk away.
3. Take a Test Drive, Not Just A Joy Ride
When the dealer offers you a ride behind the wheel, then you should take it, but when you do so, you should not just think about how smoothly the car handles – it should be a proper test drive, so you should be looking out for things like how well the bakes engage, any sounds that could indicate a potential problem with the engine, etc., too.
4. Approved Used: The Gold Standard
If you want to lower your chances of buying a dud car when you are buying used, then it’s a good idea to go through an approved scheme like Mercedes approved used dealers. The cars you will find via such schemes are typically of a better quality because they will normally be required to have a warranty, full service history, and a promise that someone else has already dealt with any gremlins. After all, a company like Mercedes is not going to put their backing behind a banger, right?
5. The Mileage Mystery
High mileage isn’t always a deal-breaker, but it can be a red flag. Does the car have more miles on it than your last five holidays combined? That could mean it’s either a seasoned traveller with stories to tell or it’s about to retire. Use your judgment and remember that lower mileage usually means fewer hidden surprises.
6. Paper Trail Pursuit
Every car has a story, and it’s written in its paperwork. Service history, MOT certificates, and previous owner details—all these documents give clues about the car’s past life. If the seller hesitates to show you the paperwork or it looks like it’s been through a shredder and taped back together, consider it a neon warning sign.
7. Trust Your Gut (And Maybe Your Mechanic)
Sometimes, it’s about the vibes. If something feels off, maybe it’s not just your pre-coffee morning mood. Bring along a friend who knows cars or even better, your trusted mechanic. They can spot the difference between a diamond in the rough and a ticking time bomb.
Don’t want to be sold a dud? Don’t worry because now you know exactly how to avoid the bad deals and find a car you truly love!