Buying a used car:

Most of us will at some time in our lives face the prospect of buying a used car. This can be an extremely stressful process especially for those of us who would not know a carburettor if it jumped up and bit us!

In fact, for the vast majority of used car buyers the process is reduced to that of a lottery and in many cases the used car eventually turns out to be a lemon.

This site is dedicated to assisting used car buyers by supplying some handy tips and a detailed checklist to minimize the risk of that used car turning out to be a used lemon!

Some interesting facts:

Today's vehicles last twice as long as the cars of 1960, but they cost ten times as much. In 1960 the average new car cost $2,500 and traveled about 75,000 miles over a seven-year lifespan. Today the median price of a new car is $25,500 dollars. According to the US Department of Transportation, today's vehicles will average 145,000 miles in 13 years.

In modern times, many smart car shoppers who want quality and dependability are turning to used cars first. Plentiful supplies of warrantied, low-mileage, late-model cars coming off lease have altered both the new and used car marketplace. With yearly model changes a thing of the past, most of these well-maintained, late-model vehicles look and perform like new.

If there is a golden rule that should be followed in buying a used car it is this: 'take your time!' An anxious or desperate buyer is a car dealer's best friend.

Buying a used car, especially an older one, can be a challenging business. Getting a good deal is important, but so is getting the safest vehicle you can.

Tips:

Whenever possible inspect a car on a dry, sunny day. There are lots of easily spotted visual clues that can tell you what condition a vehicle is really in, if you know what to look for.

Remember - generally speaking, the older and cheaper a car is, the more things it is likely to have wrong with it. Engine wear and rust are two things to be especially wary of.

Know what you can fix if you need to and how expensive it will be to have work done for you.

When looking at a used car, there are a few things you should take with you:

>> A checklist of things to look out for. Under the hood Interior check Exterior check Test drive

>> A magnet to check for hidden rust repairs and a torch for looking under the bonnet.

>> A friend - preferably someone with a bit of mechanical know-how.