Buying a car requires a thorough analysis of what we need and what budget we have. Choosing the best car for yourself is not an easy task, and the wide selection makes you dizzy. How to buy a used car? What is worth remembering? What to consider when buying?
First, the budget
The first step, which is extremely important before buying a used car, is to determine the budget we choose for this purpose. It is extremely important not to spend the whole amount on the purchase, as money will also be needed later (car registration and insurance). It turns out that the older a used car we buy, the more money we need to repair it. Let's remember that usually used cars sometimes require more serious repairs.
The best choice
Another aspect to keep in mind is choosing the car model to suit your expectations. Let's not be guided by emotions, but thoroughly analyze what we will need the car for and who will use it. A family with children will choose a different car than the single or young people. We buy a car for ourselves, which is why it should meet our needs and arouse satisfaction. Watching car brands, it is not worth limiting yourself to only one model - let's focus on greater openness, because thanks to which we will find interesting opportunities. If we are interested in a particular brand, let's get acquainted with it more closely and look for useful information about it.
Searching for the dream car
Car sales offers can be found on many websites, including newspapers and websites with offers. When choosing a car quite young, it is worth looking for websites of dealers who offer interesting and proven solutions. Of course, you should not use only one source of knowledge. Let's ask friends about their experiences, let's look for someone who has knowledge of this issue and will be happy to help us. Perhaps someone in the family has a car for sale in good condition, so don't be afraid to ask.
It is worth reviewing ads for several days, carefully analyzing specific issues. It should be noted that we usually buy the best cars from a private person. Inexperienced people will face a real challenge when deciding on offers from car dealers.
Surrounding offers
When analyzing car sales offers, the best solution will be to place cars near your place of residence. Let's remember that most often it is not worth driving through half the country in search of a car, because eventually we will lose a lot of nerves and money. An interesting option is therefore betting on the surrounding towns, where in one day we can see even a few cars. Thanks to this, it is also possible to drive a given car to a proven mechanic, who will check the technical condition, as well as carefully consider the purchase.
Cars for sale on the commission give us the opportunity to see many models, but here we will not know the owner of the car. A professional is fully responsible for car sales, which is a certain advantage.
Paint meter
One of the most important parameters to keep in mind when buying a used car is the paint meter. The seller should agree to this - if he objects, it's a sign that something is wrong. Measurements should be made at intervals of approximately 10 - 15 cm in two axes. An interesting solution will be a symmetrical comparison, for example, left side and right side. In these places, the varnish thickness should be shaped similarly.
It turns out that the roof can be slightly thinner (less exposure to chips). As for the original varnish thickness, it is about 100 - 140 um. In newer cars, however, thinner paints (up to 70 um) are increasingly used. It is worth noting that this meter oscillating within 200 um can mean several times a larger layer of varnish.
Initial inspection of the car
Make an appointment with the owner in a public place for an initial inspection of the car. Let's take a close person or friend with us who will tell us what defects he has noticed about the vehicle. Let's not take cash for the first meeting, so we will avoid buying under the influence of emotions. The transaction can be carried out the next day, which will allow us to think about it calmly. It is worth noting that most often the advance payment is not binding, therefore we do not have to do it. Before checking the technical condition let's review the car documentation. In this case, remember to check:
- VIN number on the body and in the documentation,
- vehicle cards,
- valid liability insurance, preferably purchased for a year,
- aspects relating to entries for loans, pledges and leasing,
- data of the seller,
- purchase invoice / sales contract, which was previously concluded (this will allow to determine the actual ownership of the seller).
When it comes to imported cars, but not yet registered, let's ask before inspection about how we will conclude the transaction. Let's not allow a blank agreement that is illegal and not very secure. Invoices can be requested from a person who runs a business based on car trading. It turns out that the roof can be slightly thinner (less exposure to chips). As for the original varnish thickness, it is about 100 - 140 um. In newer cars, however, thinner paints (up to 70 um) are increasingly used. It is worth noting that this meter oscillating within 200 um can mean several times a larger layer of varnish.
- VIN number on the body and in the documentation,
- vehicle cards,
- valid liability insurance, preferably purchased for a year,
- aspects relating to entries for loans, pledges and leasing,
- data of the seller,
- purchase invoice / sales contract, which was previously concluded (this will allow to determine the actual ownership of the seller).
When it comes to imported cars, but not yet registered, let's ask before inspection about how we will conclude the transaction. Let's not allow a blank agreement that is illegal and not very secure. Invoices can be requested from a person who runs a business based on car trading. It turns out that the roof can be slightly thinner (less exposure to chips). As for the original varnish thickness, it is about 100 - 140 um. In newer cars, however, thinner paints (up to 70 um) are increasingly used. It is worth noting that this meter oscillating within 200 um can mean several times a larger layer of varnish.
It turns out that the roof can be slightly thinner (less exposure to chips). As for the original varnish thickness, it is about 100 - 140 um. In newer cars, however, thinner paints (up to 70 um) are increasingly used. It is worth noting that this meter oscillating within 200 um can mean several times a larger layer of varnish.
Legal defects
We should remember that before buying a car, you should check whether it is not burdened with legal defects in the form of a tax or registered pledge. To this end, an application should be submitted to the Central Information on Registered Pledges and the Central Register of Treasury Pledges. However, this is rarely done because it takes time and commitment. Another way out is to use the services of a company that deals with such issues. Together with the car inspection, the company will carry out this service for us, usually collecting PLN 300-500. It is worth noting that such an investment is extremely needed.
Technical condition of the car
Interestingly, we do not have to know the cars very well to check the technical condition of the vehicle. Let's use the help of a trusted garage or an Authorized Service Station. At this point, the mechanics precisely check the condition of the car, identifying any defects. In the diagnostic station we pay a little less than in an independent workshop that specializes in a given car brand.
On the way to the workshop, we can also use a test drive. However, not every person selling cars gives us the opportunity to drive behind the wheel.
During the test drive, carefully observe the indicators and indicators on the dashboard, as well as the behavior of the engine during acceleration. Anxiety should cause us a car that has problems with maintaining the direction, as well as with vibration while driving.
On the way to the workshop, we can also use a test drive. However, not every person selling cars gives us the opportunity to drive behind the wheel.
During the test drive, carefully observe the indicators and indicators on the dashboard, as well as the behavior of the engine during acceleration. Anxiety should cause us a car that has problems with maintaining the direction, as well as with vibration while driving.
Verification in the workshop and authorized service station
When using the technical condition verification in a specialized workshop, it is worth expecting the following aspects: checking the thickness of the paint and assessment of the paint coating, examination of the body for corrosion, checking the glass markings and compliance with the production year, determining whether the car had a serious accident, as well as registered errors by the engine control unit, checking the engine and drive system (for correct operation, leaks, exhaust gas analysis), tire condition, diagnostic path passage (brake, steering and suspension testing).
In addition, when choosing an authorized service station, we should also expect:
- verify the vehicle's service history,
- verify compliance of the car specification with the actual state,
- thorough engine and other driver diagnostics,
- test drive by mechanic.
In addition, when choosing an authorized service station, we should also expect:
- verify the vehicle's service history,
- verify compliance of the car specification with the actual state,
- thorough engine and other driver diagnostics,
- test drive by mechanic.
Self-examination of the car and test drive
It is also possible to independently inspect a used car. If you do not have a lot of knowledge in this area, it is worth adopting the principle that every fault in the vehicle is a big problem. No light should appear on the dashboard while the engine is running. Let's also check the oil level carefully, listen to the suspension and see the engine for any leaks. Each of us would like to avoid the unpleasantness of costly repairs. A varnish meter, which we'll buy for around PLN 100, will also help.
If you do not order a visual inspection from a specialist, you must take a test drive as a driver. This will determine whether the car's work and characteristics match our expectations. In this case, let's drive at high and low speed, and also make a test of more rapid braking and acceleration.
If you do not order a visual inspection from a specialist, you must take a test drive as a driver. This will determine whether the car's work and characteristics match our expectations. In this case, let's drive at high and low speed, and also make a test of more rapid braking and acceleration.
Car purchase finalization
After carrying out all the above actions and confirming the desire to buy the car, you can proceed to make the transaction. We can do it in cash or cashless (on the seller's account). The method of payment should also be specified in the sales contract. The highest level of security will be ensured by cash payments, preferably in the presence of a witness.
Before signing the contract, it is worth trying light price negotiations. We may be able to negotiate a slightly lower amount, but not every seller will agree. An interesting idea is to propose a much lower price, which will allow you to find an agreement that will satisfy both sides. In this case, it is worth mentioning about small defects and defects that we noticed in the vehicle.
The contract should include the exact date of purchase of the car and even the time of sale. We will check carefully with whom we make the transaction, along with the car owner's registered address and residence. This will make it easier to contact this person in the event of serious car defects.
Before signing the contract, it is worth trying light price negotiations. We may be able to negotiate a slightly lower amount, but not every seller will agree. An interesting idea is to propose a much lower price, which will allow you to find an agreement that will satisfy both sides. In this case, it is worth mentioning about small defects and defects that we noticed in the vehicle.
The contract should include the exact date of purchase of the car and even the time of sale. We will check carefully with whom we make the transaction, along with the car owner's registered address and residence. This will make it easier to contact this person in the event of serious car defects.
Vehicle Sales Agreement
The contract of car sale in theory gives us the opportunity to assert our rights regarding the purchased goods, but in practice it is not always so easy. If we want to request a refund for the car repair or withdraw from the contract, it is necessary to show that the defects found were intentionally hidden by the person selling the car. This is not a simple task and often impossible to perform.
Another important issue regarding the sales contract is entering the actual amount the buyer has incurred. The buyer should be aware that the higher the amount, the greater the tax will be paid, but we will also get a greater guarantee regarding the recovery of money if the seller is a fraud. It should also be emphasized that for a trading company the amount of the transaction is significant, while for a private person it is not significant.
Another important issue regarding the sales contract is entering the actual amount the buyer has incurred. The buyer should be aware that the higher the amount, the greater the tax will be paid, but we will also get a greater guarantee regarding the recovery of money if the seller is a fraud. It should also be emphasized that for a trading company the amount of the transaction is significant, while for a private person it is not significant.
Further actions
Let's remember that the price of a used car is not the only cost we will incur in connection with buying a used car. Expenses will also include fees related to car registration, stamp duty or insurance. Another issue is the replacement of fluids and oil in the vehicle, as well as the implementation of basic repairs - again we will lose a lot of money from the wallet. All these costs should be taken into account before buying a car to be able to fully enjoy the new car and not fall into financial problems.
A good car is one that meets our expectations and does not require many repairs. A used car is nowadays a choice of many people who want to save money and are looking for interesting offers. Buying a used car should be carefully thought out - it is best to ask for help from a specialist or someone who is familiar with these issues.
A good car is one that meets our expectations and does not require many repairs. A used car is nowadays a choice of many people who want to save money and are looking for interesting offers. Buying a used car should be carefully thought out - it is best to ask for help from a specialist or someone who is familiar with these issues.