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Although the old saying ‘You get what you pay for’ is true, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to break the bank to find a reliable used car to suit your budget.
If you’re looking for a cheap, reliable used car on a budget, there are several things you can do to find the best deal possible.
One of the easiest ways to avoid all the hassles and uncertainties is to buy or finance a used car through Wave.
We help you find the right affordable car to meet your needs. With our wide range of approved used cars, we are committed to finding your next car.
All our used cars are put through a comprehensive quality check meaning you’ll always receive a reliable car that’s right for you.
The following tips and checks can help you to find a used car that is both reliable and within your budget.
Think purpose not luxury
If your priority is to buy a used car that is going to be practical, reliable, and affordable, you will need to be realistic about your desire for luxury.
Many would-be car owners place far too much emphasis on finding a vehicle that is kitted out with high-end materials, the very latest technology, and one that has all the bells and whistles. The truth is, the more ‘luxuries’ a car contains, the higher the price tag is going to be. You’ll also have much higher upkeep and daily running costs with these ‘fully loaded’ vehicles.
Remember, you don’t need leather seats, power windows, or a head-up display to get from A to B. In this scenario, the goal is reliability and affordability, not luxury and status. If you’re prepared to forgo some of these perceived conveniences, you’ll find a far wider range of options waiting for you out there, options that other luxury-minded buyers won’t be considering.
Utilise keywords when searching
When searching for a used car online, most people tend to only enter the car type, the year, and the price range. This can be limiting. If you want to make sure you’re looking at reliable, well-kept cars, there are specific keywords you should use to help filter out the better deals.
We advise you to search along these lines:
Make: Ford Fiesta
Year: 2017
Price: £12,000 - £14,000
Keywords to enter in your search: Single owner, low miles, accident-free, full-service record, dealer-maintained, mint condition, well-kept, and so on.
Make sure to use only a few keywords per search.
Don’t give up after one or two rounds of searching. If you run the same basic search several times, varying the keywords you use each time, you will come across some great deals. Perseverance is key.
Lower mileage doesn’t always mean better
When looking for a reliable used car, many motorists are put off by a higher mileage. The truth is, well-maintained cars sporting a higher mileage can be more reliable, and can even last longer than cars with a lower mileage.
If the accumulated miles are highway / motorway miles, then the car should be in a better condition than a car with lower mileage that has been constantly driven, in short bursts, around a city.
If you know what to look for, you can work out if a car’s high mileage is the result of easy highway / motorway miles, as opposed to hard city miles. Here are some useful tips to figure out if the car has been mostly driven on the highway / motorway:
The car’s documentation shows frequent oil changes.
The gear stick (if a manual car) won’t be as worn out.
The brake pedal won’t be as worn out.
The door sills won’t exhibit a lot of wear and tear.
The side of the driver’s seat closest to the driver’s door won’t exhibit a lot of wear and tear.
If you’re serious about buying a high mileage used car, but don’t know much about cars, then it may be a good idea to get someone who knows a lot about cars to inspect it, as well as to take it for a test drive.
Remember, a car that has been well looked after and has a high-mileage, won’t only last longer - thanks to the way in which it’s been driven – but will come with a lower price tag, than a car with a much lower mileage. Many buyers will simply not consider higher mileage vehicles. This gives you an opportunity to secure a good deal that many others may not be looking at.
Vehicle history and documentation
Carefully investigating a used car’s history is an important part of the selection process. Inspecting all relevant documentation will reveal a lot about the car’s history and whether it should be considered as an option.
The most important factors to look at are:
HPI – This will let you know if the used car has ever been stolen or written off.
V5C log book (V5 registration document) – Check the log book to make sure the make, model, and license plate number all match the car.
MOT – The car’s MOT must be up-to-date. It’s a good idea to check if there’re any advisories that’ll need to be addressed in the near future.
Full-service history – If a car has a full-service history, it’s far more likely to be in a good condition than a car without one. (Find out if the car has had any major accidents or repairs).
Ownership – With private sales, ensure the registered keeper is the same individual who’s selling you the car. The registered address should also be the same.
Former owners – If multiple former owners are listed in the book, this could be a red flag. Make sure to ask why this is the case.
If a car you’re interested in has been involved in an accident in the past, make sure to carefully inspect the relevant insurance claim. This will accurately reveal the extent of the damage sustained by the vehicle. If the damage proves to be more than minor, non-structural damage, then you shouldn’t consider the car for purchase. It simply isn’t worth taking the risk of experiencing future related issues.
It would also be a good idea to ask for a photograph of what the car looked like after the accident. A receipt from a reputable car repair shop should also be produced by the car’s owner.
Is the current owner an older driver?
Although its not always the case, older drivers generally take better care of their cars. Seniors have proven more likely to drive their cars in a kinder fashion, to regularly servicing their vehicles, as well as to minimise wear and tear on their cars as much as is possible.
These factors have caused vehicles driven by older citizens, to become a sought-after commodity in the used car buying world. This means that most would be car buyers are seeking cars owned by senior drivers. There are however, only a limited amount of these cars out there on the market.
So how do you find one of these sought-after used cars?
One way is to adjust your approach when searching online. Make sure to use keywords like: older driver, elderly driver, senior driver, can no longer drive, retired, estate sale, and so on.
When it comes to estate sales, these are usually conducted by people who are wanting to close a deal as soon as is possible. This could lead to finding a great used car deal.
How many owners has the vehicle had?
This is an important question to ask when considering a used car purchase.
The more owners a car has had, the less clear a car’s history becomes. It’s very difficult to accurately establish the maintenance history of a vehicle that has had several owners. You may not be able to find out if/when all the necessary services were carried out. Therefore, it’s so important to look at all the before mentioned documentation, prior to purchasing a car.
Additionally, if you choose to buy a car privately from the original owner, instead of from a used car dealership, for example, it could prove to be cheaper, as private sales are generally less expensive than buying from dealerships. However, these usually require cash payment up front, so if it's a used car you want on a competitive car finance plan, Wave Car Finance can help.
If you decide to take a chance and buy a used car without following the above advice, this could lead to more post-purchase maintenance costs.
Mid-range manufacturers have affordable cars
There are many car brands, from many different countries, that produce good-quality vehicles. However, when placing reliability and affordability at the top of your used car requirements list, a number of well-respected mid-range car manufacturers continue to top the list for budget-friendly models.
Car manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Ford, Skoda, Hyundai, and Kia have all established a stellar reputation for both affordability and reliability. Although search engines may suggest that manufacturers including BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Audi, and others are the most reliable cars available, they can also be a lot more expensive.
When opting for a car brand such as one that you'll find on the Warranty Direct's list of The Most Reliable Used Cars in the UK, you’ll find the perfect balance of high quality and good value for money.
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