With the way market is today, purchasing a used car can be a rather tricky undertaking. In fact, just the idea of having to deal with a sly sales representative can be enough to make some potential buyers forget the entire matter. However, even for those who may opt to turn to private sellers, there can still be a myriad of issues, both present and In future if they are not careful.
With that said, the best thing is to get a basic understanding of these car-purchasing options so that you can make the best possible decision.
Buying a used car from a dealership compared to private seller
A significant number of car of buyers prefer to make their purchase from a dealership. This is largely because they see dealerships as reputable and professional businesses that will take into account every consideration before putting up a used car for sale. Some of the other drawing aspects include the fact that there is a physical address where they can return to in case of problems with the vehicle, variety of financing options, and added after sales services. An example of a good used car dealership with high customer satisfaction is Dupont Auto Centre in Toronto, Canada.
On the other hand, some buyers attest that it is better to purchase your used car from a private seller found on sites like Craigslist because they can offer a better deal, there is less paper work, and they can work out some sort of deal that the dealership can’t do.
The truth is that the both these options have pros and cons. The trick is to find a situation that works for you.
How to avoid repair bills when buying a used car
Regardless of which option you opt for, once you purchase your used car it can end up costing you more in future or turn out to be a viable investment. For it to be the latter, you need know how to avoid repair bills when buying a used car by avoiding the following common mistakes that buyers make:
• Failure to do research
Failure to do proper research before buying a used car is something that most potential buyers do. As a result, they end spending more on repairs. For instance, if you are purchasing a used Mercedes Benz, it is essential that you know if the air conditioning spare parts for your make and model are available or you will have to import them, which can be quite costly.
• Assuming that used cars bought from a dealership are better than those from a private seller
Even though purchasing a used car from a dealership may be more convenient in terms of access and financing, there is still no evidence that indicates their cars are of a significantly higher quality. This means they can end up costing you dearly in terms of repairs in future. The best thing is to weigh both purchasing options.
• Not doing a car inspection
A thorough car inspection by a professional mechanic of your choice is the only way you will be able to know the real condition of your car. Not having one done may mean more repair costs in future.
• Only looking at local cars
Used car buyers often end up spending more on repairs after their purchase because of ignoring foreign made cars like Audi, Mercedes, and BMW, which tend to be high durable and strong.
By understanding the pros and cons of both buying a used car from a dealership and a private seller, and the avoiding the mistakes other buyers make during the acquisition process, you can end up making a worthy investment.