Buying Used Cars

Before you start shopping for a car, you'll need to do some homework. Spending time now may save you serious money later. Think about your driving habits, your needs, and your budget. You can learn about car models, options, and prices by reading newspaper ads, both display and classified. There is a wealth of information about used cars on the Internet: enter "used cars" or "second hand cars" as the key words and you'll find additional information on how to buy a used car, detailed instructions for conducting a pre-purchase inspection, and ads for cars available for sale, among other information. Libraries and book stores also have publications that compare car models, options, and costs, and offer information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage. Many of these publications have details on the do's and don'ts of buying a used car.

Whether you buy a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:

• Examine the car yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car.
• Test drive the car under varied road conditions - on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
• Ask for the car's maintenance record. If the owner doesn't have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.
• Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car's history.
• Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.

Buying From a Dealer

The days of dodgy motors sold by Arthur Daley-types in sheepskin coats are thankfully numbered. Today's car dealers are mostly a reputable bunch, bound by numerous laws and regulations that should ensure their cars are 'honest'.

Buying from a dealer means you are protected by the Sale of Goods Act. Put simply, this states that goods must meet an acceptable standard.

Reputable dealers should be members of a trade association, and be bound by its code of conduct. In the UK, look out for Retail Motor Industry Federation signs.

Franchised outlets will usually have the pick of the best cars, and offer the most comprehensive warranties. But using any dealer is convenient, as you can browse at your leisure - and if nothing's suitable, going back in a week usually reveals new stock. There's also the opportunity to sort out part exchange, finance, insurance and servicing arrangements all 'under one roof'. Convenience indeed.

Buying Privately

If paying for the services provided by a dealer doesn't really appeal, there's always the private route. The man on the street has no overheads, no legal obligation to prepare and valet the car, and rarely offers a warranty. As such, costs will be correspondingly lower.

There can be certain risks involved as unscrupulous sellers may try to use private sales to off-load sub-standard or stolen cars. But don't let this put you off. If you're sensible, buying privately can have you motoring for far less than if you'd chosen to buy from a dealer.

But you need to be aware of the following:

• You have less legal come-back than you do through a dealer. Cars advertised for private sale must be "as described" but that's about as far as the legal obligations go.
• The checks that a dealer is compelled to make by law aren't a benefit in a private sale. This can be expensive if you choose to go the full professional inspection route.
• You won't get a warranty.
• Part-exchanges are rarely considered, meaning you'll have to sell your old car yourself, or dispose of it at trade price to a dealer.

As long as you make the right checks, buying a car privately can be more satisfying and financially rewarding than the dealer route - it just takes a little more work.

Diesel or Petrol?

It used to be a clear-cut decision; diesel for economy, petrol if you wanted to enjoy driving. Nowadays however, things are very different, and thanks to huge advances in diesel technology, there is a viable alternative to the petrol machinery that has dominated for so long. It's all down to what strengths you are after in a car.

What's so great about diesel cars?

• They're far more economical than petrol engines.
• They're cleaner, with lower emissions, especially CO2, which determines how much road tax you pay.
• They have better 'pull' in the gears, reducing the need for gear changing.

Diesel technology has come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Nowadays, turbo-diesels are common-place, with only small or cheaper old used cars doing without one. It's well worth spending the extra to get a turbo-diesel, as both performance and economy will be better than non-turbo models, and they'll be nicer overall to drive, too.

Modern direct-injection and common-rail systems are also worth looking out for - they improve performance and economy even further, and are often quieter, smoother and less 'smoky' than older, less advanced systems.

We're not saying petrol has had its day. Certainly, superior 0-60mph times mean sporty drivers need not consider anything else, while those after a luxury car may well be disappointed by the extra vibrations and noise under acceleration offered by diesels.

What's so great about petrol cars?

• Petrol engines are quieter, more responsive and faster revving than diesel engines.
• They're generally cheaper to service.
• They're catching up with diesels in the economy stakes

Diesel technology may be making the headlines, but petrol engine technology advancement has been just as impressive. Outputs, both torque and bhp, have been improving dramatically with subsequent new models - and not to the detriment of fuel consumption.

Emissions too, have dropped significantly and petrol engines don't need the additional soot filters that are fitted to diesel powered cars.

 

If You Have Problems

If you have a problem that you think is covered by a warranty or service contract, follow the instructions to get service. If a dispute arises, there are several steps you can take:

• Try to work it out with the dealer. Talk with the salesperson or, if necessary, the owner of the dealership. Many problems can be resolved at this level. However, if you believe you're entitled to service, but the dealer disagrees, you can take other steps.
• If your warranty is backed by a car manufacturer, contact the local representative of the manufacturer. The local or zone representative is authorized to adjust and decide about warranty service and repairs to satisfy customers. Some manufacturers also are willing to repair certain problems in specific models for free, even if the manufacturer's warranty does not cover the problem. Ask the manufacturer's zone representative or the service department of a franchised dealership that sells your car model whether there is such a policy.
• Contact your local Better Business Bureau, state Attorney General, or the Department of Motor Vehicles. You also might consider using a dispute resolution organization to arbitrate your disagreement if you and the dealer are willing. Under the terms of many warranties, this may be a required first step before you can sue the dealer or manufacturer. Check your warranty to see if this is the case. If you bought your car from a franchised dealer, you may be able to seek mediation through the Automotive Consumer Action Program (AUTOCAP), a dispute resolution program coordinated nationally by the National Automobile Dealers Association and sponsored through state and local dealer associations in many cities. Check with the dealer association in your area to see if they operate a mediation program.
• If none of these steps is successful, small claims court is an option. Here, you can resolve disputes involving small amounts of money, often without an attorney. The clerk of your local small claims court can tell you how to file a suit and what the dollar limit is in your state.
• The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also may be helpful. Under this federal law, you can sue based on breach of express warranties, implied warranties, or a service contract. If successful, consumers can recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other court costs. A lawyer can advise you if this law applies.