Mobility - Buying used cars: Important tips for a good and safe deal
## Contents
- Where can I find the right used car marketplace?
- Online purchase or visit the dealer?
- What is the right price for used cars?
- What should I pay attention to at the dealer?
- What should I pay attention to during a test drive?
- Who can help me with used car purchase?
- What should I do if I have a bad feeling?
Used cars are as common as sand by the sea. Unfortunately, there are also lemons where sellers are relieved when they finally get rid of them. Depending on the contract, all repairs and improvements are then excluded, leaving the new owners to bear the costs. To prevent this from happening, one should be as informed as possible about the condition of the car before the purchase – and if in doubt, say "No". The research begins even before the car – one should inform oneself about whom one lets oneself in with. A important principle is: "Buy the Seller" (freely translated "Buy the Seller"). This means that one should only buy a car if one has a good feeling about the previous owner.
Where can I find the right used car marketplace?
Gerald Puhl, CEO of the used car platform heycar, explains that one should only inform oneself on established platforms in advance. Facebook groups or backyard dealers are therefore less suitable for research than platforms where dealers receive evaluations and ads can be reported. Sascha Vidahl, car expert at HUK-Autowelt, also gives research tips: "The search for used cars should not be too restricted on the relevant marketplaces from the outset. Not all dealers list all equipment features, which could result in suitable cars being inadvertently excluded. If filters are set, then as few as possible."
Online purchase or visit the dealer?
Gerald Puhl explains that used cars can also be safely bought online – if certain things are taken into account. "The most important quality criteria (e.g. age and mileage) should be directly visible. A fresh TÜV certificate provides a reliable guarantee that the car is in good condition and has no hidden defects", he says. In addition, the internet has a major advantage, Puhl continues: "In general, buyers have a 14-day right of revocation for online purchases, which begins with the receipt of the goods. Some used car platforms offer extended return periods and a used car purchase with a warranty. However, it should be clarified in advance how a possible return is processed. A used car is a large investment, so interested parties should know in advance if the seller offers a free pick-up." Who pays attention to shipping costs and delivery conditions, as the heycar-CEO points out, can actually do nothing wrong.
Vidahl gives a tip for choosing a dealer: "Evaluations – positive or negative – should only be taken seriously if they contain longer texts and the customers have written meaningful content. Everything else can be easily faked. Uncommented one- or five-star ratings are often not serious."
What is the right price for used cars?
To determine the right price for a used car, one should consider various factors. These include the make, model, age, mileage, and condition of the car. Additionally, one can use online resources such as marketplaces, car valuation guides, and expert opinions to get an idea of the car's value. It is also recommended to compare prices of similar cars in the local area to ensure a fair deal. Ultimately, the price negotiation between the buyer and seller will determine the final sale price.
Sad but true: When a car is particularly cheap, it's often a bad sign. Sascha Vidahl warns: "It sounds bleak, but the price shouldn't be too low. If an ad for an apparently great car deviates thousands of Euros from other offers of the same model, that's in 90% of cases a sign that something is off. Negotiation room exists, but every car has a certain price range, from which serious dealers usually don't deviate." Many online platforms have a price scale within the ads, which immediately reveals where a vehicle is priced. This allows for the identification of significant price deviations from market rates.
What should one pay attention to when dealing with the dealer?
If one intends to buy the car the traditional way and goes to the dealer, there are some things to consider. Since the contract is signed, there is often no easy way back with personal pick-up. During the vehicle inspection, one should therefore take one's time. "Small helpers can sometimes yield great results. A paint inspector costs under 20 Euro – and yet it tells me whether a car has had an accident or been repainted. If that's not mentioned in the offer, but the paint tester clearly indicates that something has been done, I would step back. Dishonesty is a bottomless pit," so Vidahl. Before the journey begins, one should also look under the hood and in the car.
"Before turning the key, one should compare the odometer reading with the general condition. No matter how clean a car may be – some things cannot be hidden. If a vehicle has 30,000 kilometers and is completely worn out, that should be taken into account. The tires are also a good indicator, as long as they are not new. A look at the engine can also not hurt, even if one has little knowledge. Is there oil visible? A little is normal in old cars, but too much can indicate a problem. Was the engine blasted clean? It may look great, but that is sometimes a tactic to hide exactly that," adds car expert Vidahl.
What should one pay attention to during a test drive?
One doesn't have to be a car master to notice inconsistencies during test drives, reassures Vidahl. "During a test drive, one should try to drive through every gear at least once. Ideally, the radio should be turned off and one should listen carefully. Are there disturbing noises? Does the car rattle during acceleration? How does steering feel? Does it squeak? And what happens when the steering wheel is released at low speeds? Does the car pull to the side? Do the brakes squeak loudly? Everything that seems strange should be addressed and explained," he advises.
Not every flaw indicates a major problem. If the car doesn't start right away or the brakes grab firmly at first, it could just be due to a longer standstill. However, if the car continuously makes strange noises, one should be cautious.
If one doesn't have the luck to have an expert accompany them when buying a car, they don't have to buy a cat in a sack instead. Several automobile inspection stations, such as Tüv, Dekra or Gtü, offer so-called used car checks. This is usually connected to an appointment at their locations. Use the test drive during a visit to one of these service providers to look for defects with trained eyes. Above all, such a visit allows for a clear view of the vehicle, which is often only possible to a very limited extent on the dealers' parking lots.
However, be fair: Discuss the appointment, which can last up to an hour depending on the inspector, with the seller. You should not only do this for transparency reasons, but also for your own benefit. If the seller vehemently opposes and refuses to allow the visit to the inspection station, it could be a sign that something may not be right with the vehicle. An uncomplicated agreement, on the other hand, shows that the other party apparently does not suspect that the inspection will reveal anything negative.
What if I have a bad feeling?
Many do not want to hear this answer, but it is true: "When buying a car, one should listen to their gut feeling. It's not easy to leave the dream car behind if one really wants it. But if something doesn't feel right or seems strange, it's still usually the best decision," explains Sascha Vidahl.
As already mentioned: There are more than a million cars available at the dealers – a second attempt can often mean less effort than a car that causes problems after purchase.
- Gerald Puhl, CEO of the used car platform heycar, suggests that potential buyers should research on established platforms to find the right used car marketplace.
- Sascha Vidahl, car expert at HUK-Autowelt, advises that online purchases of used cars are safe if certain quality criteria are considered, such as age and mileage, and if a reliable guarantee, like a fresh TÜV certificate, is provided.
- If one has a bad feeling about a used car or the seller, Sascha Vidahl recommends listening to one's gut feeling and moving on, especially as there are many other cars available at dealers.
