What to Look for Before Buying a Second-Hand Car
Car buyers all over the world have asked this question in one form or another: is it better to buy a used car instead of a brand new one? Technically speaking, buying a new car has a myriad of benefits, such as offering a wide range of car models and financing options and a comprehensive warranty. However, with interest rates going up these days, it may be impractical to buy a brand-new car. As a result, shoppers are more interested in looking for second-hand car sales.
Advantages of Purchasing a Used Car
There are inherent risks when you consider second-hand car sales. However, its pros can easily outweigh its cons if you consider all the options properly. One thing that all used car sales can brag about is the far cheaper options they offer than those on display in new car showrooms. As almost every second-hand car sale has possibly experienced the steepest depreciation in value, you will have the ability to purchase better models at half their original price.
The depreciating value of cars is actually the main reason why people purchase pre-owned cars instead of brand new ones. Unless you own a regularly maintained vintage car, there’s very little way to get a sizeable return on investment when you trade or sell your once-new vehicle.
So you don’t need to physically tour all used car sales in Melbourne to shop. There are dozens of car sales websites that you can visit through the Internet. This makes it easier to connect directly with sellers and cut the role of middlemen.
Things You Should Do Before Shopping for a Second-Hand Car
Intensive research is the key to finding the perfect pre-owned car that would suit your needs and fit your budget. If you don’t want to waste your money on lemon cars, then you should follow these basic guidelines before trying to purchase a pre-owned car.
1. Read car reviews
Fortunately for car shoppers, there are plenty of car review websites that they can visit for advice or guides. Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Which Car and Australian Car Review are just some of the more popular websites that publish informative car reviews. Car reviews are usually separated into two categories: expert review and user review. It would be wise to read both to better gauge if your chosen used car model is worth the purchase.
2. Avoid vehicles that have a history of product recall
There are many reasons – mostly related to safety issues – that car manufacturers would declare a product recall. For example, Chrysler has recently announced a product recall for one of their most renowned models, the Dodge Charger, because of reported problems with its anti-lock brake system. The biggest car product recall in history probably goes to Toyota with almost 9 million various sedan models pulled out of the market in 2010 because of a curious combination of manufacturing problems.
3. Create a mechanical checklist
With new cars, the only thing that you need to be concerned about is picking the car model and colour that fits your budget. The same cannot be said when shopping for pre-loved cars. Some used car sellers still put damaged vehicles on sale, and some unsuspecting buyers fall victim to this. To avoid getting duped, you need to create a comprehensive mechanical checklist to serve as a guide when you check the car’s physical condition.
A mechanical checklist is usually composed of things to check on the exterior (chipped paint, scratches, dents), interior (upholstery, weird smells) and engine (leaks, signs of extensive repair). If you are not familiar with the inner workings of an automobile, you can ask a trusted professional mechanic to help you inspect the vehicle to discover any hidden mechanical problems. You can also try shopping at certified pre-owned vehicle dealers to avoid the risk of purchasing a lemon car.
4. Find a suitable parking space
Most car parks in high-population areas like Melbourne will charge expensive daily fees. In fact, there are even instances where the accumulated car park fees cost more than the vehicle itself. If you are like most Melburnians, there is a possibility that you live in a high-rise apartment with limited parking spaces for its tenants; thus, you are given little choice but to spend a significant amount on parking fees.
Fortunately, Melburnians have the option to book a suitable parking space without going broke in the process. Websites like Spacer gives people with spare rooms and extra spaces an opportunity to rent out these spaces to those in dire need at an affordable price.
Spacer also works for people whose homes have a garage that is currently being used as a storage area. Decluttering a garage to make space for a newly bought used vehicle is no small feat. You don’t need to throw anything out. Just use Spacer to find an affordable storage area, whether it be local or in another location, to transfer your things to.
No Space? No Problem
Spacer gives you a lot of options for convenient and easy-to-access local spaces that meet your storage and parking needs. All you need to do is visit its website, type in the location where you need the storage or parking space, book your ideal space and move your car or precious items in. Visit Spacer now!