Worries about buying used car

[bekib86]

Hi,
I bought i used car on autotrader (from a dealer) and it turned out to be a writeoff car but i wasnt told, so i lost all my money. Im only young so that had been all my savings.

Ive since saved up my money again, and im going to look at a used car tonight. Im worried about the same thing happening to me, is there any hints and tips anyone can give me about what to look for when buying a used car or what i need to ask?

Thanks

[gouldc]

Do a HPI check - lesson learnt from last time I would hope!

Try and take someone with you who either knows a bit about cars, or who works in the trade.

There are so many tips and tricks, it would take forever to list them.

However, if buying privately (and in some cases from a dealer):
Avoid viewing a car at night/in the rain - hides blemishes and damage.
NEVER view or buy a car in a service station, supermarket car park, etc
ALWAYS check the VIN against the V5
NEVER buy a car that the vendor doesn't have the documentation for, or it isn't in their name - don't be afraid to ask the vendor for photo ID

Finally, if the car seems too cheao and too much of a bargain - I would generally suggest to walk away

[pug100]

Hi, sorry to hear about your bad experience frist time round. Check out these links for some tips on buying cars, as it can be quite complex.

http://www.topgear.com/content/buyersguides/02 /1.html

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/advice-special-report .aspx?NA=217156&EL=3141771

On the whole do some research as to the type of car you are buying. Parkers Price Guide is an excellent booklet as it gives approx prices you should expect to pay and a little background info on known weak spots as well as model variations.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/

If you are at all unsure as to what you are looking at in a car seek advice from friends or family. Always take someone knowledgeable along with you when viewing a possible purchase as they may spot something you may have overlooked. The AA do mechanical checks for members and non members for a fee .HPI will do a credit check to make sure the car hasn't got outstanding credit on it.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring-advice/car-check ing.html

http://www.hpicheck.com/newfrontend/?CMP=KNL-g oogle-rac-hpi&HBX_PK=HPI&HBX_OU=01

[TWR]

Hi, How long is it since you bought this car? if you can prove the car was a right off you can claim that the car was not advertsied truely.

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

all good info the other subscribers,,,,,,, replied , here , if it is a write off , and the dealer didnt , declare it ,,,,,,, trading standards etc may be of use,,,,,, a lot of reputable dealers.. when they acquire cars to sell , "do there own HPi check " anyway,,,, did the dealer who sold you your vehicle do this ???? - and of course regarding these Vehicle History checks,..... you get what you pay for , and some of the cheaper packages offered are oftenly not accurate !! ...ive seen a copmpany advertising "vehicle history checks " for only a few quid , sent via text meesage to MOBILES !! ........