subject: How To Make Sure You Don't Pay Over The Odds For Your Car [print this page] Looking at buying a new car? Check out these 4 points to make sure you don't pay over the odds for it.
1. Get a HPI check - whilst the actual check may cost you 19.99 (according to the official HPI Check website) and it could come back saying that there's nothing wrong with the car you're looking at buying (which is the reason why it's occasionally considered a waste of money), HPI checks can save you a fortune if it brings up something that you didn't know about the car.
For example, one of the points that a HPI check looks at is whether the car has been written off in the past. Whilst this may not necessarily mean the car is not worth buying (write offs happen in four separate categories and the lowest category, category D, simply means that it wasn't economical to repair the car and so it was classed as a write off), it can mean that your insurance premiums increase.
Furthermore, HPI checks look at if a car has outstanding finance. If it has, you seriously need to consider your asking price for the car, because as soon as you buy it, the finance agreement is automatically transferred to you, meaning you'll have to pay this, too.
2. Do your own research - the internet gives you access to almost any piece of information you'd like and therefore before you head out to buy a car, make sure you do your own research into how much certain models should cost.
Take into consideration any repairs that are required, as well as how old the car is and what, if any, upgrade the car has had and you'll be able to ensure that you know approximately how much the car you're looking at is worth.
3. Stick to your budget - if you like a car and know how much it's worth but the car salesperson is asking for more (which is something that happens no matter whether you're at new Honda dealers or local second hand showrooms), never go over your budget simply to get the car if you know you'll be paying too much.
If the salesperson wants to make the sale, they'll come down with their asking price. And if not, there are plenty of other cars out there.
4. Know about any additional costs up front - it has been known for some garages to sell their cars at lower prices than they may normally be sold for and once they have the customer sat down filling in the paperwork, they explain that there are additional costs of x, y and z to pay.
One of these costs is an admin fee for finance, which is often anything from 50 to 200 pounds. Whilst this will be explained to you before you officially purchase the car, the salesperson will often leave it to the very last minute. Therefore, although you can in theory walk away from the car purchase, you'll be so far along with the process that you won't want to.
You shouldn't be put off by additional costs if you really like the car, just make sure that you know about them beforehand and factor them into the price you're willing to pay for the car.
by: Steve Carr
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