Whenever you buy a used car from a private individual, you need to exercise an element of trust. You may not be mechanically minded yourself but nevertheless need a set of wheels and your only option is to buy a second-hand vehicle. What should you bear in mind as you begin this type of negotiation, however?
Hidden Problems
You may prefer to trust people on face value, and this can be a good approach, as many people are honest and open. Having said that, the person who you are buying the car from may not be mechanically minded either and may not be aware that the vehicle they are about to sell has a significant defect. This defect could be relatively recent and may not have exhibited any tell-tale signs to alert the current owner to a growing issue. However, when you take possession of the vehicle the problem could come to the fore and force you to spend quite a lot of money to fix it.
Do You Have Redress?
Most private sellers will not offer you a guarantee of any kind. While you may be able to go to a small claims court if you think that you have a valid grievance, that can take time, may not work, could be costly and will not help you to become mobile very quickly.
Expert Insight
Rather than risk any of the aforementioned, it's better for you to get a pre-purchase inspection report from an independent mechanic. The seller should be perfectly okay with this type of commission. When you do so, the trained mechanic will have a good look at the vehicle from all angles and will be able to uncover anything that may soon develop into a problem. There's nothing like peace of mind, and the report will enable you to make a confident offer to the seller and see if you can both come to terms.
Renegotiation
If, on the other hand, a significant issue is unearthed, then you can go back to the seller and renegotiate the value of the car, bearing in mind the potential repair bill. In this case, you may still be able to get the car but will just need to take into account the time necessary to fix the problem before you can get full use of it.
Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Before you go and look at any vehicles, make sure that you have a mechanic lined up to inspect any prospects.
Share27 June 2018
Hi, my name is Katy, and I love to go on long road trips. However, I also know how scary it is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere when your car needs a repair. Because of that, I have figured out which repairs are essential before you go on a long journey. If you are planning a long journey, please explore these posts, tips and ideas. I hope they help you hone on which repairs or services your automobile needs before your next journey. In this blog, I cover everything from services to packing lists and more. Enjoy and thanks for reading!
