Questions to Ask Before Buying a Car

As one of life’s biggest expenses, purchasing the right car for you can feel overwhelming when you’re not a mechanic or car expert and find yourself surrounded by so many car options. To help, here are some of the critical questions that you need to be asking before handing over the cash for your brand new or new used car.

What are my must-haves?

There’s no sense in purchasing a car that won’t fit your lifestyle requirements and needs. You need to ask yourself what does it have to have? Such as, does it have enough room for the baby seat, or enough boot space to fit all of your gear, will the bigger size make my fuel costs too excessive, does the smaller size have enough power for my day-to-day driving? All of these and more are essential to ask in order to ensure you get the right car for you.

Do I need to finance?

Make sure that – if you do need finance – you shop around for a competitive deal. Don’t just accept the first place that says ‘yes’. Don’t forget, the type of car that you buy is also going to play a huge role in your insurance costs.

Is it the right time to buy?

Alright, so, you have the money for your new car ready to go, but is it the right time to purchase? If you are purchasing your car from a dealer be aware of end of financial year sales, or even end of month target sales. A dealer will generally be more inclined to offer discounts near the end of the month if they need to meet their monthly sales target. The point is, be patient. Don’t just go out and splurge, purchase with awareness.

Is it OK to buy from a private seller?

Private sellers are unregulated, so there is always a risk in purchasing from one. There also isn’t very much legal protection available should something go wrong. To check if there is any money owing or if it’s been listed as stolen or written off, check the Personal Property Security Register. Do your research and make sure that the price is fair.

Is it roadworthy and safe?

It is mandatory in every state that the seller provide a roadworthy certificate. Although online reviews will tell you all about the cars performance, very little information can usually be found about its likelihood of breakdowns and issues. Speaking to a mechanic and asking their advice is always a good idea if you are unsure about your purchase. There’s no such thing as too many safety features, so make sure to go with a car that has a high safety rating. Getting the vehicle inspected by a mechanic is a smart decision, and may help you feel completely satisfied with your purchase.

TRS Auto Repairs can assist with all of your vehicle mechanic and repair needs, including Log Book Servicing, Roadworthy Safety certificates, Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspections and more. Give us a call or visit us at our Southport workshop on the Gold Coast.