Used Cars in Sussex

AUDI BMW CHEVROLET CHRYSLER CITROEN DAEWOO FIAT FORD HONDA HYUNDAI JAGUAR KIA LAND ROVER MAZDA MERCEDES-BENZ MG MINI MITSUBISHI NISSAN PEUGEOT RENAULT ROVER SAAB SEAT SKODA SUBARU SUZUKI TOYOTA VAUXHALL VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO

Car Buyers Guide

Welcome to the Used Car Buying Guide, which aims to provide you with all the advice and information to make the right choices when buying a second-hand car. In this guide we'll explain how to buy a used car that is as safe and reliable as a new car - at a fraction of the price.

Buying used has never been better! Thanks to great strides in engineering, technology, quality of material and components, vehicles are often maintenance free, very economical, safe and durable.
Whether you,re looking to change your current car or buy your first car you’ll want to be 100% sure you will be getting exactly whats right for you, before you part with that hard earned cash.

WHICH CAR?

Make sure you research each model thoroughly , by using the internet and car magazines. Many websites will allow you to compare various models side-by-side, which can be really useful if youre torn between two similar ones.

WHERE FROM?

WHERE TO BUY

Scaremongers and inexperienced buyers will tell you that to get a bargain, you will need to buy privately or from an independent garage. That’s true. They’ll also say this is risky – but that’s not necessarily true. Not if you use this guide. Here’s a summary of your options:

Franchise dealers

Positives:

• Approved used car scheme
• High quality cars
• Lots of legal ‘comeback’ if you have a problem. The new European directive means you now have six months to complain
• Will offer part exchange

Negatives:

• Expensive car prices and labour prices
• Better value warranties and finance can be arranged privately
• Limited range of makes
• Service not necessarily better than independents

Independent dealers

Positives:

• Reasonable prices
• More inclined to give a discount
• Legal ‘comeback’ if you have a problem <
• Will offer part exchange
• Specialists really know their stuff and care about their reputation, so they offer a good service
• Find a good independent or independent specialist and you will have the best experience

Negatives:

• Quality varies significantly. You must judge them on a case-by-case basis.
• Better value warranties can be arranged privately – so do not let the dealer use it as a negotiation tool to keep the car price up

Car Supermarkets

Positives:

• Lots of stock
• Mostly good prices
• Lots of legal ‘comeback’ if you have a problem

 

Negatives:

• Check all the prices carefully; some will not be as much of a saving as the much talked about offers
  
• Better value warranties and finance can be arranged privately
• Limited movement on price
• Not as interested in part exchange as dealers
• Customer care can be mixed
• Cars sold as ‘new’ because they are low mileage, but actually may already have one owner in the log book
• Cars can be imports
• You can sometimes be charged a standard ‘pre-sale’ inspection fee. This is you paying for a valet and administration costs. So check the small print

Private sales

Positives:

• The best prices (if you do it right)
• Endless choice
• If you know what to do, you can have the same peace of mind as from any other option
• This is the most satisfying way to buy a car. And should be the cheapest too.

Negatives:

• No legal comeback (but you can get other protection such as a private warranty)
• You need to spend slightly more time to ensure you get a great deal and a great car
• No part exchange

 

Auctions

Positives:

• Amazing bargains can be found
  
• Thrilling environment to buy a car in
  

Negatives:

• - A lot of stock arrives at auctions because it would not sell elsewhere
• You have limited opportunities to check the car
• No part exchange
• Intimidating environment where it is easy to over-bid because you are forced to think quickly
• Limited legal comeback (you must read the auction house’s terms and conditions before bidding to find out what comeback you have)

 

Direct Internet Buying

 

(From manufacturers, dealers or the Times Online Car Locator).
Positives:

• Bargains can be found on new, nearly new and used cars
  
• Highly convenient. Have you tried the Times Online Car Locator?

Negatives:

• Legal comeback depends on who is selling the car
  
• You may have to buy ‘unseen’
  
• Not the same customer care or contact point as buying from a showroom or individuals
  
• Organising payment can present problems

 

Top 10 tips for buying a car

1. Budget Carefully – Make sure that your budget includes insurance and road tax.
   
2. Get Quotes from insurance companies for several models – You may find that different models or engine sizes will reduce your insurance bill.
   
3. Shop around – Look at several different cars from more than one seller so that you have a choice.
   
4. Look for a dealer whose cars have been part inspected by a motoring association – Or choose a dealer with a quality checking scheme.
   
5. Watch out for hidden extras – Make sure any special features, delivery charges etc are all included in the price.
   
6. If you’re part exchanging, price your car realistically – Get an idea of your car’s value according to its age and mileage
   
7. Haggle! – But don’t forget your budget!
   
8. Read the warranty conditions before you sign – you may need to fork out for routine checks to ensure that the warranty is valid.
   
9. Don’t be pressured into buying! – Walk away if you are not completely happy.
   
10. How can you tell if the car is dodgy?
- Some organisations, for a fee, will give you detailed information about a car. Most of them will be able to tell you whether a car has been reported as stolen, written off by an insurance company or is the subject of an outstanding finance agreement.
Additionally they can often tell you what is registered on the national mileage database, whether the MOT is genuine, what the registration date was, who the previous owners have been and whether it has had any registration (number) plate changes. If you belong to a motoring organisation ask them whether they offer this service or look in car magazines for suitable organisations.

Top Ten Tips for test driving a car

1. Allow at least half an hour and drive on all kinds of road.
2. Make sure you can get in and out of the car easily.
3. Be sure you can adjust the seat and steering wheel/column so you're comfortable.
4. Check you can see the instruments clearly and reach the controls easily.
5. See if there's good all–round vision without blind spots. Try reversing into a parking space to check you have good visibility to the rear.
6. Take your children with you to see if they're comfortable in the back of the car.
7. Try your child seats to check they fit.
8. Make sure there's enough space for shopping bags, luggage, etc, and check you can fold the rear seats easily.
9. Check the boot's sill is low enough for you to lift heavy items in and out. Will you be able to unload shopping and luggage easily from the back?
10. Find out if it's easy to take out and re–fit removable seats – ask the owner's permission before you do this.