Many buy used car in Australia, as an option to get less financial pain but, sometime this ends with distress and loss of hard saved money. There are ways to be a safe buyer.
An ideal Australian life is incomplete without owning a car. Whether for daily chores or your professional deeds, you will need a car. Besides, having your own vehicle would give you the freedom to move around easily. In fact, a car is important for increasing the possibilities of happiness in your life. Buying new cars can be hard on people as it can be heavy on your wallet. Thus, the best option available is getting a used car. But getting a used car haphazardly without any research can only bring losses. So, here we have brought you tips before buying a used car in Australia. [ads1]
Ways to Get a Used Car in Australia
- Buy a used car from the dealer
Buying a used car from a dealer offers various advantages. One of them is peace of mind. These days more and more people are opting for dealers to purchase used vehicles as car dealers have a solid reputation, more room for negotiations, transparency, and even tax benefits. These dealers also provide documents that includes basic information, such as the year of manufacture, odometer reading, and warranty details. Dealers also offer top-quality automobiles, and these cars also offer you the opportunity to improve your credit score.
- Buy from family friends or personal circle
When compared to purchasing a car through a dealer, buying privately—that is, from family, friends, or members of your personal network—is usually a superior option. Additionally, speaking with the owner will provide you with some insight into the car’s past. In fact, acquiring a car from a private seller eliminates any unforeseen costs. The fact that there are no dealer fees to pay is the best aspect of purchasing cars privately.
- Buy at auction
Around Australia, there are countless auto auctions of all shapes and sizes. The steps, regulations, and costs vary for each auction. While some auctions are free to enter, some have a registration fee. It is less expensive and easier to find an automobile you want at an auction. You might be able to get the vehicle for nearly the reserve amount if there is little bidding competition. Although they may not have been driven as carefully as privately owned vehicles, the majority of the time, the cars at auction are of good value because they are often well-maintained.
Whatever medium you will choose, you have to check on the Interiors, exteriors, engine, warranty, under the bonnet, and other aspects too.
Read Also: Make sure… before buying a car in Australia
What are the things you must do before buying used cars in Australia?
There are many aspects to check but these 5 aspects serve as the crucial ones.
- Search for the best option
The first step to take is to find the best option available. While looking for sedans, hatchbacks or SUVs, or any other cars, always consider buying the best one in the best condition. However, you must consider car fuel consumption and the environmental aspect to get yourself a roadworthy car.
- Keep your budget in an affordable range
When buying a new car, setting your budget is very crucial. Keep it flexible, but always have a maximum price you can afford in mind — and make sure you stick to it.
The maximum price includes all the extras, such as on-road costs (e.g., stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery). To save money, you can
- Consider a manual car as it is usually cheaper than an automatic
- Get petrol cars as they are cheaper to buy than diesel.
- Choose the appropriate size of car suitable for you or your family.
- Test drive
Perform a test drive, ideally on empty roads, so you can focus on the vehicle rather than heavy traffic. You must take your time during the test drive and make sure the car is properly insured. Make sure the engine is running smoothly while you are driving by paying attention to how it handles cruising, accelerating, and decelerating on the level and uphill routes. During the test drives, you can check the present condition of the car with yourself.
- Documentation and insurance
The paperwork that is needed when purchasing a used car are:
- Rego paper (serves as an invoice of the car purchased).
- Service Logbook (it has a historical record of the services a car been through)
- PPSR Clearance Certificate (declares the car is free from all loans and the financier does not claim the vehicle)
- Insurance: Vehicle insurance is mandatory when buying new or used vehicles. In fact, insurance tells you whether the vehicle was involved in an accident or not.
- Rules of driving in the state you live
You should check the rules in your state or territory for purchasing and selling used cars, including how to make sure the vehicle is free of debt. Check the regulations regarding paying sales tax to the state where you will register your vehicle (where you live), not the state where you purchased the vehicle.
Tips for price negotiation
If you are planning to buy used car in Australia, do not hesitate to bargain for price. There is nothing wrong to offer low ball, this may help you save some dollars. If you want to know what would be the best price for the car? Or what would be the perfect price? If you have car rego plate, go for online insurance quote, this will give you firm value of the car. Whatever value your insurance company gives, offer just under 500 to 1000 dollars to the car seller.
Read More: How PPSR Works
