Tips for buying a used car

Are you planning to purchase a used car, also known as a used car? Avoid losing thousands of euros on a bad buy with these tips for buying a used car.

The first steps towards a used car

Before you can even look at a car, you have to list a number of things. It is best to put this on paper and the answers behind it, because that is your big stick.

How much budget do you have for a used car?
How many km do you plan to drive by car?
What budget do you have left for additional things such as insurance, maintenance, petrol?
Who is the car for? Do you mainly use these alone or for your family?
How big should the car and trunk be at least?
What perks should a car have for you?
If you have a preference for a particular brand and/or model, please do an occasion test first to see if there are possible common defects.

Once you have collected all these answers, you can start your search for the perfect used car that suits you, your situation and your budget.

Occasion of a private individual or the garage

The choice is yours whether you want to buy your car from a garage or a private individual. There are advantages and disadvantages for both.

Buy a used car privately tips

A private individual usually asks much less than a garage, which means you can save on budget. In addition, a private individual often wants to get rid of his car faster (due to double costs), so that you even have a chance of finding a super bargain.

Of course there are also disadvantages. A private individual may overlook or not know certain defects. In addition, there is a small risk that it concerns a stolen car. As a result, you have to pay extra attention to a private person before you buy a car.

Buying used car at the garage tips

The prices at a garage are usually slightly higher. The advantage of this, however, is that you have a little more guarantee that the car, including defects, is better described. In addition, it is easier to see under the car, for example, since a garage has a car lift.

And a garage usually has more choice when it comes to cars. If you do not like the chosen car, you could possibly look at a different make/model, without having to make new appointments with another garage.

In addition, some garages work with a BOVAG guarantee. This gives you an extra six months warranty on the purchased used car. If certain defects appear within six months, you have the right to have them repaired. In addition, you can exchange the car within a maximum of two weeks and 750 kilometers if it does not meet the requirements.

There are many things to keep in mind if you want to buy another car. To avoid buying a pig in a poke that costs you thousands of euros, you will find a list of tips below that you should keep in mind.

Important:bring someone who understands cars and above all be critical!

First impression

The first impression is just as important when buying a car as it is in all other areas. Does the car match the ad and description? What does the car look like on the outside and inside (global inspection)?

With a private purchase you can also subject the person who sells the car to a first impression. Please ask for the reason why the car is being sold.

Tip:check official used car data

This especially applies if you buy a used car from a private individual:

Check the name on the registration certificate and check whether it matches the ID document
Check whether the chassis or frame number (Vehicle Identification Number, VN) matches the vehicle registration document
Ask for the maintenance booklet and check this with the selling party
Check the data of the car via the free service of the RDW

What does the occasion look like on the outside?

Take a walk around the car, paying attention to the following points:

Is the car rusting? Rust spots are mainly found in the following places:tailgate, bumpers, underside of the car and wheel arches
What about the tires? Do these have a sufficient profile? Are they all the same tires?
Check seams on hood, doors and tailgate. If these are not straight, there is a good chance that the car has had damage
Check for leakage. Leakage often occurs in the trunk

If you are viewing a car from a garage, you could ask to see the car from below. Then pay particular attention to things like the exhaust and rust spots.

Buying a used car tips:check under the hood

If the car looks good on the outside, then you can take the next step. Take a look under the hood. Although some people clean under the hood before a sale, you can read a lot about the engine condition of a car before and after a test drive.

Is the engine block free of oil? If not, there may be oil leakage
What do the connections of the cooling system look like? Are these green? Then there is leakage
Check the coolant reservoir. Does oil float on it? Then the engine block probably has a leaking gasket. This is an expensive repair!
Feel if the engine is warm. If this is the case, the seller has run the engine before your arrival. It is better to come back at another time, when the engine is cold.

Tip:view the occasion on the inside

Does everything look good under the hood? Then it's time to look inside the car. It is important not only to pay attention to the upholstery, but even more to things like:

Seat belts
Is the electrical operation of the windows working optimally?
Is the air conditioning working properly?
Look at the dashboard:aren't there any lights other than the ones that should be on?
Is the lighting working well?
Do the direction indicators work?
Does the car smell musty? This may indicate a leak!
Check the windshield wipers

To take a test drive

If you like the car inside and out, it's time to take it for a test drive. You are entitled to this at both a private individual and a garage. Before you drive off, you must do the following:

Start the car and see if it starts smoothly and without a hitch
The engine should run smoothly, without interruptions, ticking or other noises. The speed must remain the same
Step on the accelerator and look at the exhaust gases, they should not be visible. Blue exhaust can indicate a bad engine. White and gray exhaust gases can indicate a leak
When you press the accelerator, no sound should be heard under the car

Buy a second hand car tips:take a test drive

You can probably take a test drive at a garage without any problems. If you buy the car from a private individual, it may be that they want to drive with you. Please discuss this in advance.

Make sure you drive a varied test drive with bends, speed bumps and parts where you can really accelerate. That way you get the best idea of the technical condition of the car. During the test drive you should pay attention to the following:

Does the car drive smoothly, regardless of road holding? Are thresholds and bends no problem?
Do you hear sounds in, under or around the car that you shouldn't hear?
Is the rev counter constant or do you see deviations?
Does the car shift smoothly from one gear to another?
Is the car stable on the road? Let go of the steering wheel for a moment and brake hard. If the car doesn't stay straight, something is wrong.

Purchase a used car:what you have to arrange

If everything is to your satisfaction and you decide that this is the car you want to buy, you still have a few things to arrange. At a garage, most of the work is taken off your hands or they can help you. If you buy a private occasion, you have to arrange this yourself.

Make sure you are aware of all defects and have this recorded in writing. Incidentally, as a buyer you have an investigation obligation and the seller is obliged to report
Draw up a purchase contract containing:the details of the car, details of the buyer and seller and any other agreements such as BOVAG warranty and delivery term
Transfer the car to your name (this can be done online)

Arrange insurance

Congratulations, you are now the owner of a 'new' used car. Remember that from now on you are responsible for everything related to your vehicle. From a legal point of view, you must take care of a valid MOT, statutory third-party liability insurance (liability insurance) and car insurance.

The costs for both third-party liability insurance and car insurance can make a difference. That is why it is always good to compare the chosen insurance.