How to buy a cheap used car: expert advice if you are buying a used car

Let’s face it: when you buy out of a container, you can’t expect a car to look too pretty. Dents, scratches and faded paint are common and you will almost have to deal with some of these cosmetic imperfections, so make an effort to ignore them.

At this price, the most important thing is whether the car is mechanically healthy – so appreciate the car’s record of maintenance and the way you drive on a test drive over appearance.

Shop by the side of the road

Any vendor who offers to meet you outdoors, in a parking lot, or at a gas station should be viewed with the utmost suspicion, even if he gives a very good reason or says he is trying to help you. It is more than likely that such a seller wants to remain untraceable if – or when – the car goes wrong after handing over the keys.

Even if you meet a private salesman outside their house, make sure the house is really theirs – have you seen them come out or enter, or have they met you on the street outside? The address of any genuine private dealer must match the one written on the car registration and / or service documents. Also, be careful if any seller says he is selling a car from a friend’s house.

Be greedy

This fully equipped, high-end model may look tempting, but if it’s the same price as the more modest version with similar mileage, you have to wonder why – after all, there’s no saying “If something looks too good to be true, it’s usually more appropriate as in the game of used cars.

If all goes well, of course, you may be at a bargain – but you need to be especially careful about making sure everything is okay, and always ask yourself, “Where’s the catch?”

Ignore the warning signs

If the exact car you crave is for sale and it really sails on your boat, it can be tempting to ignore small flaws. However, be careful not to overlap anything that could indicate a serious underlying problem.

For example, if the air conditioner doesn’t work, it may just need a relatively cheap refill – or it could be a sign that one of the components needs expensive repairs. Don’t let the desire for a particular model blind you to the latter option.

Trust the seller