| As the recession continues to be felt around the | | | | If you do go to a private seller when looking for |
| UK and indeed the world, it is little wonder that | | | | second hand cars, you should make sure you |
| many people are preferring to buy second hand | | | | check every aspect of the car. Don't feel rushed |
| cars in preference to brand new ones. In this | | | | by the seller - just take your time and look at the |
| article we'll look at some handy hints that should | | | | details of the car; the edges for rust etc. |
| make choosing and buying second hand cars that | | | | Sometimes the seller might not be entirely honest |
| little bit easier. | | | | with you, and you might see a patch on the car |
| The first big decision to make is that of whether | | | | that looks a bit suspect; that it might have had |
| to go to a private seller or a dealership. Both | | | | some work done to it. If you suspect some foul |
| methods have distinct pros and cons, and here | | | | play, it is a good idea to bring a magnet along with |
| we'll outline a few of the key ones. If you spend | | | | you; you can therefore tell if the patch is |
| some time looking at cars from both private | | | | magnetic as it should be - or if it is made of |
| sellers and dealerships, you'll see that private | | | | some kind of non-magnetic filling material. |
| sellers offer their cars for noticeably less than | | | | One good point about dealerships is that their |
| dealerships. | | | | second hand cars are sold on forecourts that do |
| While it is tempting to go to a private seller | | | | not disappear; whereas private sellers might be |
| because their second hand cars are cheaper, it is | | | | there one day and gone the next. If you buy a |
| worth bearing in mind that a dealership will offer | | | | car from a private seller and then go back to |
| some kind of guarantee - something that a | | | | them because you find a problem, you do not |
| private seller will not provide. Along with this, | | | | really have a leg to stand on legally, unless you've |
| dealerships often offer their cars with other things | | | | drawn up an agreement beforehand. It is |
| such as roadside assistance. Another advantage | | | | important not to rush the process, to take your |
| of the dealership is that you can look around a | | | | time and ensure that whichever buying method |
| wide range of cars in one place, whereas most | | | | you go for - you get the right car. |
| private sellers tend to sell just one car at a time. | | | | |