Buying a new car – whether brand new or just new for you – is one of life’s most fun activities. You get to choose a car that best suits you and your family’s needs. You can choose a style you like and enjoy driving, as well as the colour that you prefer. It’s an exciting process and because the emotions are high it’s easy to get swept up in the process making emotional decisions. I’ve created this list of 4 things to consider when buying a used car to help you find the best deal for your situation and to ensure you don’t walk out of the car yard with buyer’s remorse:

1. Get it Checked Out

It’s important to get a second opinion regarding the car. It doesn’t matter if you’re purchasing from an individual person or from a car dealership, getting a second, non-biased opinion will ensure that you’re learning what condition the car really is in. Skipping this step can costs thousands of pounds as a dud car can be a huge financial stress. If you don’t have a preferred mechanic, ask around for recommendations. It’s worth spending a little to get a vehicle tested before you commit, instead of skimping and saving a little money only to find yourself with huge bills when the car eventually breaks down. Want to learn more? Check out this guide on buying a used car.

2. Enquire About How Many Owner’s The Car’s Had

I always like to know how many previous owners the car has had. If the car has more than a few owners, I become a little apprehensive: why have the previous owners been so interested in getting rid of the car? Does it require expensive repairs and services? Asking a little about the car’s previous history is a great way to learn more about the car, how it’s been treated and whether there are any warning signs you should look out for. If the last owner is not sure about the accurate details of the car history, you may use a vehicle identification number checker to know more about the car you are planning to buy.

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3. Be Realistic About the Car’s Age

If you’re buying a car that’s in the 10-15 years old, you’re basically buying it during the period when it’s most likely to break down. This can be expensive and could potentially cost you more than buying a car that’s a few years newer when you take into consideration your potential repair bills. As such, especially if you’re buying an older car, focus on ensuring you get it checked out by a decent mechanic who can elude to what kind of costs may be coming up.

4. Finance as Little as Possible

Cars may seem like investments, after all you can use them to go to work, take your family places and to create special holiday memories. But the truth is, from the day you buy one, cars cost money. Fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, the list goes on and it really adds up. As such, I suggest financing as little as the car as possible as this will lower your monthly expenses and ensure you’re not spending too much for simply having the car.