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Franchises and the brand dealers in the UK don’t simply stimulate new cars straight from the manufacturer but they also sell pre-registered or used cars in their showrooms.
They offer massive financial deals and incentives on these used cars, it can be a strong option for money watchers to get the high-quality deal on the pre-registered car but it can be risky at the same time.
If you have plans to buy a pre-registered or used car from the dealership, then before you contact the dealership for your new or even pre-registered new car, you must take a look at these 10 tips or suggestions to buy a pre-registered car.
These tips have been directed from the director of the National Franchised Dealers Association in the UK. We have compiled a list of suggestions to keep in mind before you plan a vehicle.
Before you even think that you have chosen your car, properly examine it for any discrepancies to ensure that you are not being fooled or robbed at the end. Before making any decision of buying, take a test drive and examine the car on the go, so that you feel the mechanical condition of the car.
Its engine sound, gearbox sound and muscular feel behind the wheel should be amazing. You will feel its control and grip on the road too, that will assure you that the vehicle had any wheel alignment issues.
Be very strict to the points given by the director of the National Franchised Dealers Association in the UK and verify the registration and MOT certificate to ensure the vehicle health and make sure that they are real. Ensure that the main points quoted are proper; keep focusing to the Identification number (VIN) of the car.
You should also determine the former owners if any listed on the registration record and make sure that they the same which were mentioned to you by the dealership. To virtually assess the details on a registration document, you must use the DVLA’s online portal for MOT records.
In order to verify the service history of the vehicle, simply take a look at the last service provider on the documents and give him a call and ask them to affirm the work. There must be a stamp of service provider on the documents.
If you have made your mind to buy a used vehicle from the dealership, then make sure that you must get a minimum of one-year full warranty for what you get and what they have offered to you, because the car is old and already being used by someone else.
Make sure that you are properly covered and protected against your money you have to pay and you are not being fooled.
If in case it is a pre-registered car and not that old, the manufacturer warranty will be there and you can use it at any time but make sure that you have a valid warranty. This means no one has done damage to warranty terms.
If you are not buying from the dealership and someone else is selling you the vehicle, you must check for the outstanding finance on it. You should keep in mind that if that is the case, the ownership of the vehicle and the title still resides with the financing firm and they can retrieve the car.
If you are buying a car that has very low mileage on it or the odometer is being tempered to show the fallacious mileage details. It is a sure sentence able crime in the UK since last couple of years.
It will definitely influence on the value of the car and causes similar effects on the parts that need timely replacement after some certain mileage such as the cam belts will have to be replaced. Now you have to assess the mileage of older cars though MOT info portal and determine the mileage of car.
The previously pasted tax disc will show you the remaining VED time period on your vehicle and will also show that for how long it will remain valid. But apart from all these time limits, you will need to buy a fresh tax disc straight away.
If in the case that the vehicle is not taxed previously and there is a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), make sure its expiry time. If it is too long or even short, ask for its clearance.
Open the bonnet and try to find out that if there is any leakage or any other damages or denting painting has been done. Ask for the details and check-up the oil level in the engine sump, if it is low on the level maintained, ask why it is low, because it is possible that the engine is using oil.
Check all the hoses and wires for damage and leakage. Try to check the engine bay and make sure that the bay is clean and all the connections are properly fixed. Make sure that it has not been cleaned to cover something.
It is better to check underneath the car. It will help you to check if there is any oil leakage under the car or if there are any heavy rusts on the frame. As your car engine is the most imperative part, both in terms of performance and price.
You must check all the engine aspects that it is working properly. Start the engine and accelerate it to see if it is smoking. Determine the colour of the smoke on the exhaust pipe, if it is white, too black or heavy smoke of any colour, you will soon need a replacement engine. Reconsider your buying decision.
Further verify the engine bay from this side too, it will help you to deeply look at the engine sits points and its springs. Make sure that they are not worn or rusted badly. Do not for get to check the condition of the tyres.
Make sure that all the four tyres are equally worn and they are all road legal with specified tread depth. Quickly do the penny test if you are not sure about the tyres condition. Otherwise it will cost you more when you will buy new tyres.
Be certain that the vendor provides full contact details even it is franchised buyers or regional garages as they are more often used, however if you’re buying the car from a private vendor, make sure that you’ve got their contact details and all the important points, including a landline number to contact them afterwards, this places them at a specific point.
Apart from all these top ten points we have managed to take an expert opinion on buying a pre-registered car. We love to share it with you as well.
One of our experts of used vehicle pricing and technical experts educated our customers on buying the used cars and warned that do not be talked into buying a pre-registered car, in case you are looking to buy a new car directly coming from the manufacturer. Same in the case, if you are looking to buy a second-hand car, simply make sure that what you actually looking to buy.
In the buying process, you’re looking to part-exchange your current car, get independent valuations to ensure the price, and investigate the list prices too from any certified seller to verify the financial savings being provided. We requested the expert, if there’s something else to remember before making that ultimate buying decision.
It is confirmed that these heavy reductions and offers on buying a used car have a knock-on influence on the prices of different vehicles on the dealerships or showrooms, plus no longer being the first registered owner is more likely to reduce the worth when you go for buying.
Try to shop around and visit different dealerships, although the pre-registered car price may just seem great, there are additionally some just good finance deals around, similar to private contract plans with massive supplier contributions, which could mean it makes extra sense to purchase new car direct from manufacturer’s showroom.
