I hope to make this page a great resource for those looking at buying a car after just passing their test. what to look out for, common pitfalls and general advice.
Before you start your search make sure you know how much you want to/ can afford to spend
Think about things like:
Insurance
running costs (petrol, servicing etc..)
tax
Choosing the car:
size
running costs
No. of passengers
towing or any specific tasks (size of boot etc...)
Inspecting the Car
Check oil and Water levels before starting engine( preferably from cold)
listen for unusual noises
look for excessive smoke (blue/white)
check cars history on HPI or similar for
Check documents (MOT, logbook, service history -check any milages to see if they are what you would expect with current mileage.)
Check the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the base of the windscreen, under the bonnet and stamped into the chassis under the carpet beside the driver’s seat for signs of tampering, and make sure they match the VIN recorded in the logbook
look for badly matched paintwork or misaligned panels which could be due to previous damage or repairs
Test Drive:
Ensure you have insurance cover
try and use different types of road to give the car a really good run (from cold)
Check all the gears
brakes
suspension
steering- check for any vibrations rattles or looseness
Make sure that you a familiar with the value of your car, a good place to look would be online, dont be afraid to make an offer on the car, especially with a dealer you might even be able to get yourself a free tank of petrol!!!
Dont forget though with a dealer you are most likely going to be getting a warranty.
Used cars Bristol
Finding used cars in Bristol is as easy as finding them anywhere else in the country. Most places have several car dealerships. Knowing which to choose is the difficult part.
It is advisable to go check out the car in person. However, not every dealership will have the car you require. This is why performing a search online is advisable. Otherwise you may spend hours going from one dealership to the next in search of your perfect vehicle.
Used cars do however come with a few risks. These risks can however be over come if you know how.
Looking up 'used cars bristol’ online is an easy way to begin your search and will reveal exactly what dealerships are in your area as well as any relevant classified ads. You can then go into a more specialized search, which will in turn allow you to see exactly which dealers stock the make and model of the car you are looking for.
There are other ways to source used vehicles and not everyone chooses to buy from a car dealer.
Some may wish to purchase a used vehicle from a private seller. There are a few things to look out for when buying from a private seller.
These include the likes of not buying the car on private sales terms. If you have an inkling the seller is a dealer. A good way to spot this is to call up about the car in question. Simply state that you are calling about the car advertised, if the seller has to get you to state which car, he may be a dealer as individual sellers generally don’t have more than one car to sell.
Always view the car in daylight as this way you will be able to see both the inside and the outside of the car and always get a second opinion from a professional mechanic.
