A five step guide to buying a used car

The new generations of car owners who have just entered into the slice seem to be elated with the first-class second hand car market. There is a boom in opportunities for all kinds of people to buy that dream car. The car companies too faces threat from the new entrants and the need to slash prices has cropped in.

Second-hand car customers have never been so lucky. First, it was the prices that crashed across brands. And now, some certified dealers of car manufacturers - Daewoo, Maruti and Ford - are presenting a new segment of smartened up second-hand cars. Daewoo and Ford merchants have gone an extra step and are even giving away a six-month warranty with every used car. A layman can still face various problems while buying a used car. As a guide here are few things you need to keep in mind while buying a used car from the second hand car marketplace:

Step 1: What to buy?

Don't be attracted to inexpensive cars. Their insurance may be costly as it may be an imported car. Older cars will need more maintenance and servicing. If you have bought an imported car, finding spare parts may be problematic. Think realistically about how much your car will cost to run (counting fuel, tax, insurance and repairs), and how much you can afford to pay.

Step 2: Where to buy?

You need to choose between a private dealer and an authorized dealer. If you don't have that much car knowledge, a certified dealer is the best place to buy from.

Step 3: Inspecting the car

Make sure that the following things are included with your car:

• Registration documentation and MOT certificate, which will confirm if the vehicle is road worthy.
• Registration number on the vehicle's tax disc dittos the one of the registration deed.
• Ask the seller to authenticate that he/she is the owner of the car.
• Vehicle's VIN number, which is positioned either beneath the bonnet or on the chassis.
• It's recommended to check the vehicle data

Step 4: Negotiating a price

When buying privately, you have an opportunity to negotiate on the tag value of your car. That's why many people choose a private player over an authorized dealer.

Step 5: Settle the sale

When paying for your new vehicle, ensure that you get a written receipt confirming the amount paid by you and the warranty etc.

Car auctions

Used cars are also available on many popular websites like for example eBay. eBay has rich traffic on the website and you can bid for your dream cars and take pride in winning bets there. There are a whole lot of cars to choose from. You can also find car auctions in our online car auctions. Now it's time to buy that dream car!