Steer clear of added costs by buying used cars from a trusted outlet
Beware the risk of buying privately. Photo: Getty
Used-car prices remain high, but the mad upward spiral appears to have abated.
That means you should have a better choice if and when you come to buy one in the coming months, especially when new-car sales feed the system with trade-ins in the new year.
That’s one side of the story. The other is the remarkably high numbers of older used cars that are traded against newer second-hand cars.
Many of those are bought and sold privately and while most are genuine, always remember you have little or no comeback if something goes wrong.
You should, if at all possible, buy from an established, reliable outlet that has back-up and servicing facilities to repair faults within warranty at no – or minimum – cost to you.
Remember, you are buying something that has wear and tear.
Any minor ailments can escalate in your ownership and repair costs are swingeing. Which is why I always suggest you get at least a six-month warranty – something a private seller can not do.
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