If your family budget is limited and you need a
vehicle, looking at used cars is usually the only option. The problem with second
hand vehicles, though, is that you can never be sure about what exactly it is that
you’re buying. People will say just about anything to get you to buy and most
sellers won’t shy away from lying. What usually happens is that you end up
wasting your limited budget on a vehicle that breaks down shortly after it was
purchased, sometimes for reasons that could have prevented if only the seller
had bothered to tell you the truth.
Another common scenario is that you end up spending a
lot more on a used car than it is worth, because again information was withheld
and a lot of repairs needed to be done. So, how do prevent this from happening?
How do you ensure you invest in the right used car and get the best value for
your money?
Here are a few tips:
- Stay away from private
sellers. Only buy used cars in South Africa from
reputable companies who specialize in this sort of business.
- Ask for documentation on
the cars history. Make sure you know all there is to know about
the car you intend to buy. Don’t just take somebody’s word for it.
- Salvage companies can offer
you great deals. Don’t just shop around for used cars at the usual
second-hand places. For great deals also look at vehicle salvage
companies. These places deal in cars that have been written off by
insurance companies, but can be road worthy again with some repairs. Here,
your money can go a long way.