In the market for a new car? Well, it doesn’t actually have to be ‘new’, and buying a second-hand car could be right up your street. Here’s why.
A quality used car is not factory new, of course, but it’s new to you. That’s a good feeling. A previously owned vehicle discovered, inspected and bought by you, can feel just like a new one. There’s probably that same sense of pride when you take it home and show it to family and friends for the first time.
So, does it really matter if your ‘new’ car is not fresh off the production line, but is instead a quality, used example?
In most respects it is a new car; it looks great, drives beautifully, is loaded with kit and does exactly what you hoped it would. There’s just one big difference: you haven’t paid a new car price for it.
You would not be alone. Last year, a driving survey from the Motor Ombudsman organisation showed that more than 70% of motorists said they would buy a used car rather than a new one – and cutting motoring costs was the reason.
Official car industry figures show that 7.2 million used cars changed hands in the UK last year (2023), and the trend of buying a previously owned vehicle instead of a brand new one, does not look like slowing up any time soon.
Buying a used car from an established motor dealer or via a respected source online, can make practical and financial sense and in many cases is the perfect solution for someone wanting to get on the road quickly, safely and without breaking the bank.
Even having the latest prefix number on your licence plate no longer has the same appeal as in the past – the ‘age indicator’ number on the plate changes every six months in the UK now, so having the most recently released one has lost its importance.
There are so many advantages to buying a used car – from having all the same peace of mind warranties as if buying a new model, to taking advantage of the many perks previously only associated with new cars – and there has never been a better time to think about going down the second-hand route. Just make sure you avoid these common mistakes people make when buying a used car...
Top 10 reasons to buy a used car:
1. Save money from the beginning
It’s a great feeling driving a new car away from the dealer’s showroom, but the moment the car’s tyres touch the tarmac of a public road, it’s already losing money. Cars depreciate by as much as 20 per cent in their first year and continue to do so, at a lesser rate, throughout their life. Choosing a quality used car can not only be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also save you big money.
2. It’s still guaranteed
Buy a used but recent car and you still get the manufacturer’s warranty associated with it. Many used cars are former dealer demonstrators or company vehicles that might not have driven many miles. But they should still be covered by warranty – some manufacturers, such as Kia, now offer a seven year guarantee which is transferable, covering you if something major goes wrong.
3. Taking advantage of dealer warranties
Manufacturer’s warranty or not, buying your used car from a reputable dealer’s showroom or even online, means you should benefit from a guarantee of some sort. Even with older vehicles, most traders will offer at least a three-month warranty and sometimes breakdown cover. Ask what’s offered before you start looking seriously at a car and use warranty as a bargaining tool – no guarantee, no sale.
4. Receiving the full service
Some newer used cars could still have an outstanding service plan. This is where a set number of services have been paid for in advance. If the car has not reached the mileage of the final service in the plan, it’s possible you will be able to take advantage of that – and you might even be able to buy an extension to the plan.
5. Getting the finance sorted
You no longer have to save up hard-earned cash and then trawl the classifieds or visit second hand dealers hoping to buy a used car within budget. Today, reputable used vehicle showrooms will offer acceptable finance plans, similar to those that are available to people buying a new model.
6. Cars look like new
Cars are built very well today, and quality suppliers make their used examples look and feel just like new before they offer them for sale. So, driving one away feels almost like you have bought a new model. Dealers will often show you the multi-point inspection lists they go through on every car they sell. And you can certainly expect the car to be cleaned and valeted before taking delivery.
7. No time to wait
Nobody likes waiting. Especially when the delay in question is for your next car. Place an order on a new vehicle and you could face a waiting time of weeks or even months. If they haven’t got the model or colour you want in stock, factories have to build one for you. But that’s not a problem if you are buying a pre-owned vehicle because it’s already built, run-in and possibly sat right in front of you on the forecourt. It could be on your driveway in no time.
8. Go higher up the spec list
If you are saving money by buying a used car – or budgeting for finance – you will be in a better position to venture further up the specification list. A used car with all the ‘bells and whistles’ will offer better value than a similar, new vehicle in basic, entry-level form. Looking for alloy wheels, climate control and keyless central locking? Consider a good used car.
9. Shed any early problems
Vehicle reliability has been greatly improved across the whole of the industry and cars are built to last for 12 to 15 years. So, a three-year-old vehicle with a service history will feel like it has barely started its life. However, even the best car can go wrong, so buying used often means that any early squeaks, rattles or settling in problems will already have been reported by the original owner and fixed by the dealer.
10. Run-in and tested
There’s nothing better than a nicely run-in engine. It’s quiet, economical and operating like a well-oiled machine – literally. And while the old routine of changing a new car’s oil after 3,000 miles has gone, the chances are that the car will have had at least one lubricant change by the time you have bought it. First services can be 10-12,000 miles today, but for many cars, it’s sooner. And the air conditioning unit will have had a winter or two of operation to make sure it’s working well too.
Do your own checks
When you’re buying a used car, you are in control and only you can make the final decision on whether to buy or not. It gives you the chance to do your car check, and ensure that the car you have in mind is exactly right for you. That includes checking it thoroughly – not just mechanically, but its history too.
Which is why a MotorCheck ‘Single Check’ makes financial sense. The £9.99 investigation looks at true mileage, outstanding finance, any history of theft or engine replacement, whether it has been used as a taxi, and many other items.
Doing this means you’re protecting all those advantages you have gained by buying a used car rather than a new one.
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