Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Used Car From A Private Owner
If you need a car sooner than later, you may be searching through the ads and come across a vehicle for sale from a private owner. However, before you buy the car, take care that you do not make the mistakes below.
Skipping the Test Drive
When you arrive to inspect the car, you may look it over carefully and start it up. Since everything looks and sounds good on the surface, and the owner is adamant about the vehicle being in good shape, you may be tempted to skip the test drive and go straight to price negotiations.
However, you should never skip the test drive when buying any used vehicle. Even if the motor sounds good idling, you need to put it to work by driving it around for a little while to see if you hear any strange noises or see smoke coming out from under the engine. This test drive also gives you the overall feel of the car, as well as lets you know how comfortable it is to drive.
Neglecting to Take the Car to a Mechanic
After taking a few laps around the block, you may think that the car is in good general condition. The owner may even have documents showing you how well maintained the car has been, such as oil change records and records of the last time the fan belts were changed.
However, you never know what problems may be lurking under the hood. It is always advisable to take your car to your own mechanic or take someone who is knowledgeable about cars with you. They may be able to spot potential problems that could come up later while you are driving down the road.
Refusing to Trust Your Gut Instincts
Even if the car looks and sounds good and the owner seems nice, never refuse to trust your gut instincts. If something seems off about the car or the owner, you may want to walk away.
An example of when you may want to look elsewhere for a car is if the owner rushes you while you are looking at the car. If they keep saying they do not have time for you to test drive the vehicle or allow a mechanic to look at it, they may know of and be hiding a potential issue with the car.
When you buy a used car from a private owner, it can be difficult to know what you are actually getting. Plus, since there is no warranty or guarantee, you could be stuck with a lemon. Instead of buying from a private owner, you may want to consider finding a car at a used auto dealership.