Buying A Used Car: Why Second-Hand Doesn’t Have To Be Second Best

We don’t all have money to burn. We don’t all have the spending power to buy the latest and greatest cars rolling off the manufacturing line. And we don’t always want to spend years of our lives paying off a car loan after opting for something new. For these reasons, we might choose to invest in a used car, as the expense of buying one of the latest models will be more than our finances can bear.

But this is something you shouldn’t feel bad about. You shouldn’t assume that you are getting something second-best because you are buying something second-hand. In many ways, buying a used car is the sensible choice, both practically and financially, and here are some of the reasons why.

#1: Buying used doesn’t have to be a worrisome endeavor

When you buy a new car, you are pretty much guaranteed a worthy purchase. Fitted with the latest safety technologies and being built to last, you don’t have to worry about the car breaking down or malfunctioning soon after you have driven it off the lot. The same doesn’t apply to used cars, because being second-hand, there may be issues within the vehicle that later cause you problems. However, you can take away some of your fears when buying second-hand by opting for something within a Certified Pre-Owned program. With comprehensive vehicle and road testing, extended warranties, roadside assistance, and more, you are unlikely to leave the lot with a money pit on your hands. Check out what is included in a certified Ford, for example, and take note of the benefits open to you. For greater peace of mind, you can also run free vehicle checks online. By entering the car’s registration on the appropriate websites, you will have all the information you need on the car you intend to purchase. Has it failed its MOT? Has it been in any major accidents? Has it been reported stolen? Using sites such as AutoCheck, you can quickly find out and reduce the chances of buying something not fit for purpose.

#2: You can make a used car feel like new

So what if the used car you have bought doesn’t come equipped the latest entertainment and safety features? You can still buy some of these things after purchase to make the used car feel like new. You can pay for new seat covers too, upgrade the wheels, give it a new paint job, and remove any scratches and bumps. The only thing giving away the age of the car will be the registration plate, but then again, you could also purchase a custom registration plate, so only the more experienced car enthusiasts will know how old your car is in reality! Ensure you add an air freshener or two as well to give it that new car smell!

#3: Used car sellers are open to negotiation

(pixabay)

You have less room to negotiate when buying a new car. In most cases, the price you see advertised is the price you are going to have to pay, and even if you do get to knock down the price a little, your wallet is still going to take a hit. While this might not always apply on those cars that the dealership is struggling to sell, you will still have more room to haggle with a used car dealer, not only on older motors, but with those that that are almost-new as well. You might even drive away with a few perks added to, such as new wheel rims or an extended warranty if you haggle successfully with the dealer, so follow these used car haggling tips the next time you’re on the lookout for a new set of wheels to get the best deal possible.

#4: You will pay less on insurance

When buying something brand new, not only will you be paying out on the car itself, but the more valuable the car is, the costlier it will be to insure too. Of course, when buying new, some cars cost less to insure than others, especially those that are smaller and more economical to run, but even then, you are more or less guaranteed to have a higher insurance premium on a new rather than used car. The biggest exception might be on older model used cars that have no safety features equipped, so if buying second-hand, your best bet might be to buy something built within the last five years or so if you want to keep the costs down.

#5: You will have more money in your pocket for other things

Chances are, after buying a brand new car, you will have less money to play with. However, after buying used, you should have more money in your pockets to spend how you please. And we aren’t just talking about taking the family away on holiday or purchasing new things for your house, either. With more money in your pockets, you will have greater spending power to buy the latest gadgets for your car. From Alexa-enabled car chargers to mini fridge electric coolers, check out the linked article and pick and choose from the best and brightest tech available. Your new-car buying friends might only look on in envy, because despite having the opportunity to drive the latest beast on the market, they probably won’t be able to afford the trendy add-ons you have kitted your car with.

Finally

Here’s the thing. If you can afford the latest car on the lot, then buy it by all means. We wouldn’t blame you if you did as there are some fantastic models becoming available, some of which are reviewed on our site! However, buying second-hand doesn’t have to be second-best, because there are all kinds of reasons why this is the case, including those we have suggested in this article. Think carefully then, and even if you can afford the latest motor, you might still go for something almost-new to give you access to some of the benefits we have mentioned here.

DIY

Tags:

There are no comments yet

Why not be the first

Leave a Reply

More 1147 posts in DIY category
Recommended for you
Impact Wrench for Automotive Repair

In the world of automotive repair, precision and power are not just conveniences—they are necessities.…

%d bloggers like this: