Top tips for buying a used car

Scams
A recent enough topic emerged on a popular Irish discussion board about car scams and enough people replied to the thread that it was only logical that this should be added to tips on buying a used car. It seems like some of the larger websites aren't bothering to police their content to stop people getting their hard earned cash taken by scammers. Following these pointers, while they won't eradicate scams, should help you spot and avoid scam artists.

• If a deal looks too good to be true it usually is.
• Never send cash via Western Union or other credit transfer agencies.
• Cash escrow services are often used by fraudsters in order to lull the buyer into a false sense of security.
• Elaborate emails with sob stories should ring alarm bells - remember that this is a transaction plain and simple.
• Never give away your bank details, remember you are buying the car, you need to request the sellers details.
• Beware of people offering to ship cars from abroad.
• Make sure the specs match with the model (i.e. a BMW 320D will always be a Diesel etc.).
• Before you hand over cash get the car checked out.

First Time Buying
If you are buying your first car it always makes sense to buy something at the cheaper end of the price scale so you don't worry about the inevitable bumps or scrapes.

We always recommend buying from a reputable dealer but you can catch some great deals with private sales also.

Paperwork
Always be sure to ask for a full service history from the vehicle owner and ensure that the relevant paperwork comes with the vehicle.

Outstanding Finance
Make sure that there is no outstanding finance on the vehicle. You can do this by running a check on the vehicle through our partner at motorcheck.ie.

Paperwork
Always thouroughly check the vehicle paperwork such as Registration Certification, NCT to make sure there are no discrepencies.

Condition
Make sure you inspect the cars exterior and interior fully. Get the seller to pop the hood so you can inspect the engine. Again having somebody who knows what they are looking for is always a help. Ensure that there is no rust on the exterior, under the hood, in the boot or especially underneath the car. It is sometimes possible for somebody who works with cars to tell if the car has been in an accident just by looking at it but it is better to do a vehicle history check.

Lights
Check to ensure that all lights, again exterior and interior, are in full working order. This includes break lights, indicators, headlamps (low and full beam).

Mileage
Make sure the mileage on the clock is valid by comparing the data to that on vehicle service or NCT data.

History Check
A vehicle history check will confirm some details for you that could be otherwise difficult to obtain such as: whether the car was in a crash, whether it was a public service vehicle (like a taxi for instance) and whether or not the mileage reading is valid.

Payment
It is always best to pay by bank transfer, cheque or bank draft. Paying by cash is a bad idea.

Make sure you get a reciept of goods with the sellers signature. A third party present to witness the signature can't hurt either.

Advice
If you are not sure about cars yourself and if you know somebody who knows about cars it always helps to bring them along.

The Right Choice
Knowing what is the right choice can be a difficult one so again somebody who knows a little about cars can be a great friend but you can always use the internet to do some research. Check for updates to our website often as we will be adding more information and tips to help you make the right choices when buying or selling your used car. Happy hunting!