Where to Buy a Used Car
Buying a Car from a Dealership
Car dealerships (ranging from small shop front affairs to multi-acre car supermarkets) are likely to be your most expensive used-car buying option, but you have the most consumer rights should something go wrong. Ideally, find a forecourt with a well-established, good name that is a member of a recognised body such as the RMI (Retail Motor Industry Federation).
Buying a Car Privately
Buying privately is cheaper than buying through a dealership, though you'll have less legal recourse if the car develops a fault. The most important thing is to always view a car at the owner's address, that way, if something goes wrong, you'll know where the vendor lives in case you need to take legal action.
Note: in an effort to reduce your consumer rights, some unscrupulous car dealers (yes, they do exist) will pretend to be private sellers. Watch out for 'private' ads that share the same phone number as other private-looking adverts.
Buying a Car at Auction
You can find great deals at car auctions, though be aware that vehicles are usually 'sold as seen'. Basically, you won't have consumer rights because a car auction is not considered to be a consumer sale. Therefore, to avoid buying a 'shed', take someone along who knows their way around a car.
Also check what auction charges exist on top of the purchase price, because once the gavel's down and the auctioneer shouts 'sold', the car is yours. Commission is usually paid by the seller, but a buyer may have to pay a 'buyers indemnity' or 'buyers premium' (around £50 each) on top of the purchase price.
Buying a Car Online
With tens of thousands of cars for sale online, the internet is certainly the best place to window shop for a new motor. The three main ways to buy a car via the internet are:
- Find a car online, inspect the car 'in the flesh' and pay the seller in person
- Find a car online and pay for it before physically seeing the car first
- Bid for a car on an online auction site
Even though you are protected by consumer rights and Distance Selling Regulations, always be extra careful if buying a car 'unseen' via the internet. A quick peace-of-mind tip if buying via eBay is to check the seller's reputation via the feedback ratings. Another is to only search in your region, so you can view the car first.
Next: Inspecting a Used Car
* Please note that this used car buyer's guide is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice and thus should not be interpreted as such.
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