How to make your first time (buying a car) special
Whether you’ve just gotten your license, or are ready to move on from the hand-me-down car that was given to you by a friend or relative, it helps to know a few basic tips and tricks when you’re on the lookout to buy your first set of wheels.
• Take someone with you – Even if you fancy yourself to be a bit of a cars expert who could give the guys on Top Gear a run for their money, sometimes it’s handy to take a friend or other trusted accomplice along with you while inspecting cars. Not only can they share with you their own experiences and advice, they’ll be more likely to calm you down and stop you from getting too over-excited and buying that second hand Ferrari you saw advertised.
• Revs – Always do a REVS check of the vehicle’s registration number. REVS is an online service provided in WA Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP), and it can tell you if a motor vehicle you are looking at buying is carrying a debt.
• Be wary of sneaky sellers – Dodgy sellers don’t just target innocent-looking University students or female buyers they assume don’t know anything about cars. Make sure the car has an up-to-date logbook or appropriate inspection report and replacement log book, a reputable dealer should allow you to have a vehicle independently inspection to satisfy and concerns you may have. John Hughes will rectify free of charge to the customer and warrantable items identified in an independent vehicle examination.
Choose your dealer before you choose your car!
• Stick to your Budget – It seems like an obvious one, but you need to make sure you’re going to have enough moolah to actually run the car. Sure, you may find a bunch of great preowned cars for sale, but it’s not so useful if you can’t actually afford to put any petrol in…
• New or vintage? – Depending on your budget, you’ll have to decide on whether you’re going to buy your car brand new, or second hand. There are a lot of ways to go about buying a second hand car, and there are heaps of good websites advertising used cars for sale in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and other major cities around the country. If you’re interested in buying an older vintage car, consider how much you’re willing to spend on parts if it ever breaks down or needs servicing. Finding parts for older car models is often tricky – and pricey.
• Questions? – Ask lots of them. Has the car been in any major accidents? When’s the last time it was serviced? Does the engine number match the car’s registration? Has it been in any major accidents? Will this colour look good sitting in my garage..?
Used Cars? That’s always a question a car buyer would ask. Start by looking at preowned cars for sale.
Processing your request, Please wait....
