Buying a car can be a daunting experience for anyone, even a seasoned professional. Once your broker has approved your car finance you can go shopping with the power of shopping in a set budget like you are shopping with cash.
Most think financing your vehicle purchase is the hard part; it is actually the easiest part of the process. Knowing what to look out for what purchasing a car is the hard part.
Buying a car shouldn’t be a whole hearted decision based on what looks good, it should be a decision on what is functional and what suits your lifestyle as well as your budget.
Buying in a budget!
Anyone with car finance would have a budget in mind so shopping within your budget is obviously going to be your first consideration. Vehicle finance can be sort taking into consideration all of your personal circumstances when dealing with a broker. Once approval is in place you will be able to hit the yards with the exact amount of finance that you have approved in mind.
Feel free to shop around!
What you will buy will be the next challenge as there is so many different makes and models of car out there to choose from it can be a daunting experience. Don’t let the sales person pressure you into a deal that aren’t going to suit your needs.
By taking a friend along for the ride you can be sure that you aren’t being backed into any deal that you aren’t completely convinced is right for you.
If the deal looks too good to be true then it quite possibly is – read the fine print of your contract.
Private Sales – Not so Mr Nice Guy!
Some people aren’t always 100% honest so you need to make sure that you ask questions and do your research. When buying off a private seller ensure you do the following:
- Look at how long they have had the car and the KM’s it has travelled in that time
- Ask them why they are selling (look for anything suspect)
- Has it been damaged?
- Look at the log book
- What conditions it is in and will it pass inspections
- Does it have any habits that will cost you money
Before going to check out a private sale car make sure that you research other cars of the same model, vintage and approximately same km’s to ensure that you aren’t getting ripped off.
Luxury Cars at Luxury Repairs Prices
If looking at purchasing a luxury car do some research to ensure that you have a repairer that can work on your car? Luxury / European Cars tend to cost more in repairs and parts so knowing what you could be up for in the future might save you making a decision that you cannot afford in the end.
Try Before you buy!
Nothing is going to give you a better indication on how the car drives than giving it a test drive yourself.
Before taking off test the steering wheel and steering lock – listen for banging and knocking.
Test the hard brake, pull it on and then take off slowly – this should hold the car back. Test the hand brake doesn’t get stuck or is too loose.
Listen out for any strange noises – drive with the window open and the radio off to listen for any sounds that the car may make. Use all the gears when driving; test the clutch out, use wipers, blinkers, air conditioning system, electric windows and radio.
Feel free to look at details of the car, under the bonnet, in the boot, glove box, seating and seat belts.
Love what you see? Then it’s time to negotiate!
Never send your seller a direct deposit or wire transfers the funds to the seller! Ask for a receipt for your deposit or payment and copies of all paperwork and the vehicles log book.
Buying a new car should be a pleasant experience and by starting your vehicle purchase trough a broker you will ensure that you know the terms of your finance and that they suit your needs.
