Buying a used vehicle can feel like a difficult task if you’re not sure what you need to look out for. However, with now being the ideal time to buy a used car with prices dropping this year, it’s time to learn about the different checks you need to make when buying a used vehicle. This will ensure that you get a great deal and the car you buy won’t let you down when you drive away.

Read on to learn about the most important aspects you’ll need to look out for when viewing a used car.

Searching for a car

The first step to finding a used car is to search for one online and this will be your chance to check if the car is a good buy. Look for motors that have never previously been written off or required major repair work and make sure the mileage is low as this could impact your chances of selling the car down the line. As a general rule of thumb, a car’s mileage should be no higher than 10,000 miles per year it’s been on the road.

Insurance

Before booking a test drive, you’ll need to make sure that you can afford to insure the vehicle you like the look of. Enter the car’s details into an insurance provider’s website to look at how much car insurance may be, if you’re happy with the price, then you may proceed to the next step!

Make sure the dealership is reliable

You won’t want to buy a car from a dodgy dealer and so, making sure the dealership you visit is trusted online. Check out review sites like Trustpilot to see what the buying experiences of other customers have been like over the years and whether they’ve run into any problems with their new motor after they bought it.

Test drive the car

The only true way to tell if there are issues with the car is to test-drive it. During your drive, look out for the following signs to make sure the car is in working order:

  • Responsive steering and braking
  • Smooth gear changes
  • All the buttons inside the car work

Paperwork

Once you’re happy with the price and the car, it’s time to make the purchase official and that means getting all the necessary documentation together. The dealership should be able to help you with this and the most important bits to get include:

  • Proof of ownership
  • Road tax certificate
  • Service book
  • MOT documents

After this, you’ll be the proud owner of a great motor that you should be able to enjoy for years to come.