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Anyone looking for a used car wants to spend as little money as possible and it is best to get a new car.
Whether you are a dealer or a private seller - it is better to take the time to buy a car.
“You shouldn't let yourself be put under pressure, even if there are several interested parties.
There are many good cars on the market, ”advises Ansgar Klein from the Federal Association of Independent Car Dealers (BVfK).
He and other experts summarize useful tips.
1. Get information about your dream car
If you go looking, you will find the best possible information about your dream car in advance.
"This is the only way to assess how reasonable a price is, what engine variants there are, what is part of the basic equipment, what weak points there may be and, above all, what the car has once cost," says Bernd Meyer from the Association of the Automotive Industry Schleswig-Holstein.
A look at comparable models in the vehicle class is also helpful.
2. Don't buy a used car alone
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Buying a car is a matter of emotions.
“The mind quickly breaks down and in the end the anger is great.
A good guiding principle is therefore: After the buying frenzy, there is buying regret, ”says Klein.
He therefore advises always taking a neutral companion with you who keeps an eye on the facts and is less guided by external features such as glittering paint or bare rims.
Four eyes and ears always see and hear more than two.
3. Pay attention to auto-extras
Extras can have a significant impact on the price.
"Above all, driver assistance systems and connectivity extras such as live navigation or smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now very popular and are increasing sales prices," says Martin Weiss, Head of DAT Vehicle Valuation.
On the other hand, purely optical gimmicks such as ambient lighting or decorative strips have little to no influence on the price.
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Conversely, a car can also be cheaper if there are no extras.
"A young Golf is certainly much more difficult to sell without navigation," says Meyer.
The same applies to luxury vehicles if there are only fabric seats instead of the standard leather upholstery.
4. Have the checkbook shown before buying a car
Regular maintenance records are still an important indicator of how well or badly a used car has been cared for.
"Especially with young vehicles, complete maintenance records are elementary in order not to lose the existing guarantee to the manufacturer," says Weiss.
“With some importers, the guarantee period is up to seven years.” The stamp for inspections must never be missing in the checkbook.
The digital, paperless checkbook should also be shown to you.
"The entries can be printed out, whereby you should make sure that the vehicle data also match the car you want to buy," says Meyer.
5. Note the year of construction and mileage of used vehicles
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Cars cover an average of 15 to 20,000 kilometers a year, says Bernd Meyer.
"So a ten-year-old car with only 60,000 kilometers is already unusual and could be a bargain if the rest of it fits."
At the same time, customers can often make a good cut even with young annual cars because the loss in value in the first year alone is quite high at 20 to 30 percent.
6. Do not buy repairs on used cars
The mileage also determines which regular maintenance work should be carried out - keyword toothed belt.
"These can be real cost traps that can go up from 500 euros," says Meyer.
However, since the timing belt has to be changed differently depending on the car model, customers should inform themselves in advance of the mileage from which evidence must be available.
It starts at 100,000 kilometers, but depending on the model, it may not be necessary until 180,000 kilometers.
7. Beware of false warranties when buying a car
Anyone who buys from a dealer automatically receives a guarantee of at least one year.
"The commercial seller is therefore liable to the private buyer and may also have an obligation if a defect only occurs later, i.e. not when the car is handed over," says Klein.
Caution is advised with questionable guarantee offers.
Read the fine print here: “Used car guarantees are sometimes offered, for example engine damage is only covered for 1000 euros.
You should keep your hands off that, ”says Klein.
8. The right car color saves money
The majority of the cars are offered in the standard colors of white, black, gray and silver.
Unusual colors can therefore affect the price.
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"Red, green or yellow are colors that are more accepted in sporty vehicles than in SUVs or station wagons. Conversely, such vehicles are cheaper," says Weiss.
On the other hand, it would be more expensive if vehicles were offered with special paintwork such as a matt finish or with a pearl effect.
9. Check the odometer reading and previous owner
If the odometer reading does not match the history of the car and the overall appearance, the alarm bells should ring.
"Especially if there are owners in the letter who only owned the car for a short time, you should be careful," says Klein.
"The same applies if a private seller supposedly offers the car of the father-in-law or uncle," he warns of so-called "kitchen table dealers".
Serious dealers, on the other hand, would be responsible for a car.
10. Ask about previous damage
The seller must notify the seller of previous repairs due to an accident.
Unless the damage is minor, such as small scratches up to around 1000 euros.
"In the case of a professional repair, one cannot assume a decrease in value," says DAT specialist Weiss.
At the same time, salespeople have less and less chances even with minor sheet metal damage: "From the surveys for the DAT report, we know that freedom from accidents is very important to customers and is in second place out of 21 criteria - just behind reliability."
What to look out for when buying a used car
For the current used vehicle report, Dekra examined 15 million vehicles.
It turned out that - across all vehicle classes - used cars from German manufacturers are particularly reliable.
Source: N24