Our TOP 10 Tips for Buying a Pre-Owned Car!

We all know that buying any car can be overwhelming, there's so much information out there and sifting through it to find the perfect match for you can be difficult. Add in the possibility of buying pre-owned and there's a whole nother set of things to think about. You want to make sure you're getting a quality vehicle while still getting your back for buck. So to help you out, we sat down with Ryan (our awesome Pre-Owned Sales Manager) to give your our TOP 10 TIPS FOR BUYING A PRE-OWNED CAR, check them out below!
 

Meet Ryan (our Pre-Owned Vehicle Guru!)

1. What are the pros of buying a pre-owned car versus new?

“Best thing about buying pre-owned is that you can save a bit of money because the car has depreciated a little over time. This doesn’t apply to just the car itself but also if the previous owner added any accessories to it, you wouldn’t pay as much as they did originally.”

NRMA 2021

2. What safety and security features should I check for?

“The safety specifications will be listed in the advertisement of the vehicle, such as the ANCAP safety rating which should be listed as a priority. Most cars will have similar features, however, I always recommended you do your research, and if you have any questions our friendly Sales Consultant's are more than happy to answer your questions”.

ANCAP safety 2015

3. What are the pros of buying through a dealer versus privately?

“Buying through a dealer is always a safer option. The statutory warranty is a legal requirement for all pre-owned car sales sold through dealers, its 3 months peace of mind for pre-owned vehicles under 200,000 kilometres and one month for cars over 200,000. Most dealers will also give guests the option to purchase an extended mechanical protection plan, giving you added protection. Buying privately means that there is no warranty.

By buying through a dealer, you can also ensure that the roadworthy certificate has been done by a qualified technician and that a PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) check will be provided along with the vehicle's service history, this check ensures that the vehicle you're buying hasn't been previously written off, or have any finance owing on it from a previous owner.

Buying through a dealer means Registration is also included in the price so there’s no extra paperwork or cost for you to worry about. The sales consultants are knowledgeable in a wide range of  various cars and will be able to help answer any questions you may have”.

Car Sales 2020

4. Is there a certain number of kilometres I should aim to buy below?

“Not really, it’s all dependent on your budget. Certain brands and models will go on ‘forever’, you just need to do the research to know which ones are reliable fro the long haul. we love our Toyota’s because of their reputation for reliability and lasting a long time. We often sell HiLux’s with over 200,000 kilometres on the odometer because they’re such a great model and built to last”.

5. How would you suggest inspecting a car that you were considering purchasing?

“My biggest tip would be to inspect it in the shade! You’ll be able to see any potential issues with paintwork, bubbles in tinting, scrapes, rust or anything else, much easier in the shade than you would in the bright sun”.

6. What should I look out for when test driving a pre-owned car?

“Listen for any excessive road-noise, pay attention to any vibrations while driving, and if the car pulls to the left or right when driving straight, these are just some of the things we look at when we're buying cars to sell”.

Sunshine Toyota 2020

7. What are my rights when purchasing a pre-owned car?

“When buying through a dealer, you have a 24-hour cooling-off period in which you can return the car (there are T&C’s to this – check with your sales consultant before signing a contract), and you are protected under the Australian Consumer Law. If you were to buy privately, you aren’t protected under any law and there is no cooling-off period so there's just an added risk”.

toonpool 2009

8. What research should I do before I buy a pre-owned car?

“Exactly as you would research before purchasing a new car. Decide what your requirements will be – such as if you need a big model or small, what you'll be using the car for, how often you’ll be driving, if you need a bigger boot, etc. You should also research what the general running costs will be for services, what the fuel efficiency is, how available and what the general cost of spare parts could be if you need them in the future. Our sales consultants can help you with all of this and make suggestions or recommendations on what might suit you best. The more information you give us, the easier it is for us to help you, so please try to answer all of their questions during the consultation as it will help them help you find the perfect car for you”.  

Budget Direct 2020

9. What’s a reasonable negotiation when buying a pre-owned car?

“Cars are priced to be sold fairly quickly these days, so there’s smaller negotiation room than there was in the past. A fair negotiation is hundreds, not thousands”.

10. How do I know I’m getting a good deal?

“By doing lots of research! It’s the best way to know. By doing this, you gain insight into what the general cost of the car will be. What you pay should be in line with this, but obviously factors such as the number of kilometres the car has travelled, if any accessories have been added, and any cosmetic or mechanical issues will have an effect on price and will differ between each car”.

Car Sales 2021

Well that's it! We hope these tips have been beneficial to you as you consider your next pre-owned car purchase, if you're currently in the market for a pre-owned car, don't forget to check out our current used vehicle listings here, and we look forward to seeing you in our dealership soon!