It’s not always easy to buy a used car from a dealer or someone privately. So here is our advice on how to buy the used car of your dreams.
There is some risk involved in buying a BMW used cars in Cornwall, whether you do it privately, through a dealer, or online. But if you do your homework, find out what your rights as a buyer are, and know what to look for, you could save a lot of money and avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. If you follow this guide and use our used car checklist, you can feel good about your new pride and joy and get a great deal.
Most people looking for a used car at TYR Cars aim for the “sweet spot,” which is when the car is three years old. This is because most new cars are bought on finance plans or company fleet leases that last for about 36 months. After that, they are returned to the dealer or sold at auction, and most end up on the used car market.
Depending on the model and mileage, a three-year-old car should cost about half as much as it did when it was new, but it should still have a lot of life left in it. It’s a general rule, but data from warranty providers also shows that cars tend to become less reliable after 5 years, so that’s a good time to sell your used car and look for a new one.
There are still plenty of good cars that are 5 years or older, but keep in mind that they may cost more to run and need more repairs than newer models.
How to Buy a Used Car: The Basics
When you want to buy a used BMW in Cornwall, there are different steps to take than when you want to buy a new BMW, but it’s just as important to get these right. Here are some general things to think about when looking for and inspecting a used motor…
1. Take care of your money first.
Any car is a big investment, so the first thing you need to do is figure out and stick to your budget. If you need to, find out the best way to pay for your car, whether it’s with cash, a personal loan, or vehicle financing. Figure out how much you can put down as a deposit, and then figure out how much you can pay each month. If you do this, you won’t look confused when the salesperson asks, “How much can you spend each month?”
2. Keep up with the prices of used cars on the market.
If you want to buy a used car, looking at different websites on the internet is a great way to find out what’s available and what you can afford. You’ll be able to tell if you’re paying too much, and since there are so many options, you don’t have to buy a BMW right away if you don’t think it’s the right car for you. If you’re looking at popular models, you can always find a lot of them, even if the price isn’t right.
3. Carefully check every piece of paper
If you’re not ready to check them out, there’s no point in putting any value on the stack of papers that come with a used car. If you live in Bude or Cornwall, UK, and you want to buy a used BMW from a private person instead of a dealer, make sure the listed keeper is selling the car from the address on the V5C logbook. Then, compare the registration and chassis numbers on the V5C logbook with those on the car.
After that, you can check the service record for any discrepancies, see if the cambelt needs to be replaced (which can be an expensive job on some cars), and look at the sales receipts to prove ownership and the end of any loan agreements. An HPI check will also help find any outstanding debts or hidden information about the person.
4. Carefully check the car during the day and when the weather is good.
Rain on the paint can hide a lot, as can streetlamps or torches, so try to look at cars when the weather is good, and definitely check them out in the daytime. Take your time to look at each panel and all of the inside trim surfaces. Older cars are likely to have a few scratches, so it’s more important to make sure that all the switches and accessories work. Do all the electric windows open at the same speed, and does the air conditioning blow cold?
5. Give it a thorough test drive.
It’s important to make sure the car drives and handles right and does what you expect it to do. Is it easy to start the car? Do the engine or brakes make any strange sounds? Does it pull to one side when you turn it? Is there any smoke coming from the exhaust that could be a sign? Make sure you have insurance before taking the car out for a test drive.
6. Is there everything?
Check under the trunk floor to see if the spare wheel, repair kit, original jack, tools, and locking alloy wheel nuts are still there. Also, look in the glove box for the owner’s manual and ask the owner if there are any spare keys. Some cars will also need SD cards or sat nav discs. If any of these are missing, it could cause a lot of trouble, and it would cost a lot to replace them all.
7. Putting the deal to an end
If you’ve agreed on a price and want to buy a BMW, make sure all the terms are written down and signed by both parties on a receipt. It should have information about the car, the price, and the terms of the sale, as well as the name and address of both the seller and the buyer.
8. Getting the car paid for
If you buy from a reputable BMW dealer, you shouldn’t have to worry about this, but it’s worth repeating the obvious advice about how to pay for a car in a private sale. Be careful about buying a car with a lot of money. If you can, send money that way. Never bring cash to a place to meet the seller that isn’t their home.