Buying my first car - what do I need to look for?

gelato_cat

Hi all

I'm planning to buy a second-hand car in the autumn. I've got my heart set on a nice little Smart car but have no idea where to start...

- am I OK buying off eBay?
- is it better to go through a dealer?
- whichever channel I use, what kinds of things should I be looking out for when checking the car over?

Suze

Heva2015

Personally I would only buy off ebay if you can go and check the car over first and do everything that you would do buying second hand anywhere else. Buying from a dealer can be more expensive but you can often get a guarantee. AA offers a car check service which is really really useful. Watch insurance costs too though because those little smart cars can be quite costly on insurance.

gelato_cat

Thanks - what should I do when buying second hand anywhere else?

Suze

Heva2015 wrote: »

Personally I would only buy off ebay if you can go and check the car over first and do everything that you would do buying second hand anywhere else.

Heva2015

LOL ok...I would take it for a test drive, listen to the engine all that good stuff. If you know anyone that knows cars take them with you, I'm not much use I always take my dad! I would definately recommend the AA check though....or go to a local mechanics and use feminine charms to persuade one to come along!!! ;-)

gelato_cat

Thanks. As you can tell, I have absolutely no clue about buying a second-hand car - and have heard lots of horror stories.

You're right about dads knowing about cars - but where the H do they get all their information :rolleyes:

Suze

Heva2015 wrote: »

LOL ok...I would take it for a test drive, listen to the engine all that good stuff. If you know anyone that knows cars take them with you, I'm not much use I always take my dad! I would definately recommend the AA check though....or go to a local mechanics and use feminine charms to persuade one to come along!!! ;-)

I'mcomingbackasaman

IFIWY I'd look to find out how much second hand Smartcars are worth save being ripped off. You may 'drop on one' in the local newpapers or the Loot that's local to you. But like others said you need to test drive and I'd take someone with me who could look under the bonnet etc, or AA Check to make sure it has an engine etc.:D

mara

If buying from a dealer, ensure that they have fully checked/serviced the car before you take it away - I didn't and am currently battling with them to get various problems fixed. Having said that, I would still recommend going through a reputable dealer, as in the event of problems, you have more legal rights. Hope you find something you like.

gelato_cat

Thanks - I've done some research and for what I want (no older than 2003 plate) I should be paying about £4k.

I wish I was a bit more savvy about these things

Suze

I'mcomingbackasaman wrote: »

IFIWY I'd look to find out how much second hand Smartcars are worth save being ripped off. You may 'drop on one' in the local newpapers or the Loot that's local to you. But like others said you need to test drive and I'd take someone with me who could look under the bonnet etc, or AA Check to make sure it has an engine etc.:D

gelato_cat

Thanks and good luck! What kind of car did you buy?

Suze

mara wrote: »

If buying from a dealer, ensure that they have fully checked/serviced the car before you take it away - I didn't and am currently battling with them to get various problems fixed. Having said that, I would still recommend going through a reputable dealer, as in the event of problems, you have more legal rights. Hope you find something you like.

misfire

I bought both my cars of ebay - both i had to spend money on practically as soon as i got them!

My first car was a citroen ax - cost 300 of ebay paid out about another 250 on it - as i didnt know about cambelts or anythign technical when i bought it! the cambelt was nearly worn through so had to pay 170 to get it changed - other 80 was due to the speedo cable snapping. It lasted me 16 months and put my 'new driver' dents in it.... went to the scrappy end of feb was sad to see the back of it but several expensive things were on the way out including the catalytic convertor so it had to be scrapped.

Next car broke down 2 days after i got it - i thought i had been really sensible paying a bit more to get a genuine low mileage car (32,000 miles for a Nreg car i thought brilliant!) had to get aa to jump start me to get my car to the mechanics - without giving you chapter and verse my mechanic did a 'get round the problem fix' for 70 quid and had to change part of the exhaust for 70 quid. There is also a problem with the keys that i didnt know about - and the car still idles funny although my mechanic was unable to find a reason for it. car ended up costing my just under 1,000 GBP (luckily a family memeber very genrously paid for 2/3rds of it for me) I feel that this may turn out to be a bit of a 'lemon' - fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong.

Both times i bought of ebay was because i couldnt afford the dealer prices and didnt want to take a loan out - but i would definitely test drive the next car i bought before i buy it be it of ebay or else where.

I would find out when the cambelt needs chaning on the car you are thinking of buying.
I would take someone with me who knew abit about cars/was a good haggler.
I would do lots of research first find out how much the car is worth (parkers guide on line) and how much they do go for in your area (not always the same thing)
Check local garages and online ones - it may be worth your while going futher a field if the price is right.

Also if you are going for an older car (10 years or so) i think full breakdown cover is a must - had to have the aa out twice to my fiesta (once was my fault - hit a kerb got a flat couldnt remove the spare tyre!) without them i would have been stuffed.

I wouldnt say discount ebay but i would be VERY wary and make sure it was local so i could fully check it before. Also you can buy when you buy of ebay a HPI check for about £6 this is VERY worth doing if you buy of ebay. I did one on both the cars i bought and one i was seriously interested in. For the extra few quid it is very worth it for peace of mind.

sorry to ramble hth

mara

Suzey wrote: »

Thanks and good luck! What kind of car did you buy?

Suze

My first car was a L reg Clio - dealers put a new MOT on it for me when I got it & I had it for 3 years with no problems. This time I thought I'd trade up - Got a Peugeot 206 X reg 3 weeks ago, which is a lovely car - apart from the brakes, exhaust, cam belt and radiator need replacing :rolleyes: I took it back to the dealers today & they are fixing all of these things for me - which is the main reason I feel happier using a dealer. If I'd bought the car privately, I'd be looking at a repair bill of £800 with no come back on anyone. I have certainly learnt my lesson on this one and would not buy any car unless it had been serviced or MOT'd.

If you were going to buy private, I'd agree with the other posters that it would be worth paying to get it checked over by a mechanic.

You might also want to look at 2pass.co.uk - under the passed section they have a section on buying second hand cars & there is a printable list of the things to check which is quite handy as a guideline.

Good luck with the car hunt - it's great when you get your first car