General Advice: Buying Used Cars

Lfatness94 on 23/01/2020 - 11:20
Last edited 05/02/2020 - 10:14

My partner and I are interested in purchasing a used car. We're interested in used cars as it better fits our current financial status.

We've been browsing cars on carsales and gumtree.

Do you have any advice when purchasing used cars from private sellers and car dealerships?

Thanks.

Update

Transaction went smoothly.
We purchased a 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5i-L at 75,000km for $16,000.
Thank you all for your advice.
The PPRS check stopped us from buying a repairable write-off car.

Next step: Insurance !

Automotive

Comments

  • HighAndDry on 23/01/2020 - 11:26
    +9

    Buy private unless it's new enough and from an official dealer so that the car is some kind of "certified pre-owned" - otherwise you're just paying a dealer premium for no reason.

    Always get it checked out by a mechanic of your own, and far enough from the seller they wouldn't know each other.

    Check that all the major services and replacements for a car of that age/mileage have been done, common one is timing belt. Also any recall issues have been dealt with.

    Google for known issues with that model and the cost of those issues and when (again age/mileage) they tend to crop up.

    Lastly: Generally avoid European brands, stick to Japanese or 2010s+ Korean. Not a guarantee by any means but a good guide.

    Give us a few ideas of what you need in a car and what you're currently looking at, so that people can give more specific advice too.

    • godofpizza on 23/01/2020 - 11:28
      +1

      also avoid ex-rentals/lease cars, including Japanese/ 2010s+ Korean models/.
      and buying from auctions, there's enough horror stories here about them.

    • Oz8argain on 23/01/2020 - 11:28
      +9

      you forgot the most important check: PPSR

      • HighAndDry on 23/01/2020 - 12:30
        +2

        fk. Yeah, definitely this.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2020 - 12:02
      +1

      <10 years old <160k = statutory warranty

      • spackbace on 23/01/2020 - 12:05
        +3

        Stat warranty isn't worth much consideration

        Buying under factory warranty, and getting tyres/brakes etc checked is far better

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2020 - 12:19

          It saved me once when a transmission decided to self destruct a week after purchase. It's better than nothing.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/01/2020 - 12:03

    Do you have any advice when purchasing used cars from private sellers and car dealerships

    Don't buy a lemon.

    Unfortunately easier said than done.

  • MassNerder3r on 23/01/2020 - 12:22
    +1

    For a car you're looking to purchase, make sure you do a REVs check to see if there's any money owing or major accidents recorded.

  • pegaxs on 23/01/2020 - 14:05
    +9

    Private sale;

    • Do a PPSR check (written off, money owing, stolen)
    • Check rego details match car AND owner
    • Have someone mechanically inspect the vehicle (Local mechanic/RAC*).
    • Test drive the vehicle to make sure it is sound to drive.
    • If in Vic or Qld for example, make sure the car is supplied with a road worthy (so any road worthy items like brakes, tyres and oil leaks are their problem, not yours)
    • Pay by bank cheque with their details on it. If they dispute the transaction later, you can prove that you paid and that they cashed the cheque.
    • Get a separate invoice for the sale of the vehicle. (Rego alone does not always equal proof of ownership.)
    • Go to your local transport authority and transfer the vehicle into your name within 14 days (in most states)

    Buying from a reputable car yard is virtually the same, but you can omit/change a few of the steps;

    • Ask to see the PPSR check. (They will have it, check for any written off status.)
    • Check rego details match car (MY, build date, colour, accessories, etc…)
    • Have someone mechanically inspect the vehicle (Local mechanic/RAC*) NOT the dealer selling it to you.
    • Test drive the vehicle to make sure it is sound to drive.
    • From a dealer, the car should be supplied with a road worthy (so any road worthy items like brakes, tyres and oil leaks are their problem, not yours)
    • Pay by bank cheque with their details on it. If they dispute the transaction later, you can prove that you paid and that they cashed the cheque.
    • If you negotiate something, get it in the contract. DON'T accept them saying, "yep, we can do that". GET IT IN WRITING!
    • READ THE CONTRACT! At payment time, do not sign off on the vehicle until you have confirmed what you are buying matches what you can see.
    • Go to your local transport authority and transfer the vehicle into your name within 14 days (in most states, unless the dealer has it IN THE CONTRACT that they will do it for you)
    • Euphemistic on 23/01/2020 - 14:35
      +2

      Buying from a reputable car yard is virtually the same, but you can omit/change a few of the steps…

      Always check you are getting the model you want. There are several threads on here with people upset the car the though was (example) MY13 turned it to be MY12 due to advertising discrepancy with the dealer (either deliberate or accidental). Make sure if for example you must have reverse camera, park sensors, android auto etc, that there is a functioning one on the car. Do some research online to check if the alloy wheels are the right style or the interior specs are correct etc.

    • fatness94 on 03/02/2020 - 21:30

      Get a separate invoice for the sale of the vehicle

      How do you obtain a separate invoice?

      • pegaxs on 03/02/2020 - 21:57

        Get a piece of paper and write on it.

        I, "the seller", have sold this car, "details of car", to "the buyer" for $x,xxx on this day xx/xx/xxxx.
        Signed: "the seller"
        Date: xx/xx/xxxx

        I have a template made up for buying and selling that I print out and take with me. So, even if they seller says “oh, I don’t have an invoice/receipt to give you.” You can say, “that’s ok, I bought my own… please sign here”.

        • fatness94 on 03/02/2020 - 22:52

          That's awesome.

          Thanks for sharing.

  • Euphemistic on 23/01/2020 - 14:31

    What’s your budget? What’s the target age of the vehicle?

    The older and cheaper the more mechanical checking you need to do.

    • fatness94 on 23/01/2020 - 14:40

      We definitely agree and want to stay away from the older vehicles; our 02 CR-V has yearly mechanical issues.

      Budget: $30k
      Target age: 2015 onwards

    • kiwiyonip on 19/02/2023 - 22:48

      Hi Euphemistic, I've seen some threads with your name on it and learning you've done a lot of selling.

      Do you know what forms do I need to acquire to sell privately in QLD? I am helping a friend who got the car from a dealer many years ago, but I can't seem to find the 'other' steps to selling (not the prepare car, RWC, detailing, etc). So basically to summarize what I understand past the test driving and now into completing the sale (can't remember now what I did when I got my car, not paying attention), left some steps blank, not sure what's next…

      1. Get RWC (if possible ask the buyer for a small deposit to prevent backing out?) and fix issues
      2. Bank transfer or cash is adviseable
      3. What forms to fill out? Can I get them from TMR?
      6. Who pays the stamp duty? Transfer fee?
      7. Immediately go online (or within 14 days) to transfer the rego to new owner
      8. Cancel insurance under name

      If the car has just been full serviced (log book) 3 months ago by the same motor shop who's doing the RWC and found faults which were not reported in the full service, can we appeal this to them why?
      Also, if RWC indicated some minor things to fix like probably tyres (just guessing), will this be the purpose of the deposit so those issues when fixed the buyer cannot back out of the deal, or just allow the buyer to cancel if they want (without deposit) and we then lose $85 for the RWC?

      Thanks

  • Cheap Charlie1 on 23/01/2020 - 14:54

    Better to just buy a new one. You'll know the history of the car.

  • spackbace on 23/01/2020 - 15:12
    +2

    Small to medium SUV for $30k?

    Definitely if you can buy new, you're not far off it. Better warranty and CPS advantages of a new car as well, and all on-road costs are already incorporated into the cost

    • Skramit on 23/01/2020 - 15:18
      +2

      Smoooooooooooth mr salesman ;) ;)

      • spackbace on 23/01/2020 - 15:19
        +4

        Eh, different state, didn't mention product ;)

        When someone isn't 100% aware of what to look for and check, and their budget is close to a new car, sometimes it just makes sense

        • Skramit on 23/01/2020 - 16:07
          +3

          I know I was jk

    • abb on 23/01/2020 - 15:33

      CPS advantages

      I can't figure it out, none of these seem to fit… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPS

      • spackbace on 23/01/2020 - 15:47

        Ah huh

        • pegaxs on 23/01/2020 - 16:49

          So no cat protection then I'm guessing??? Colour me disappointed.

          • spackbace on 23/01/2020 - 16:57
            +1

            @pegaxs: You have a problem with pussies?

            I mean, I didn't think that was a problem with someone who drives a Fiat 500…

  • fatness94 on 03/02/2020 - 21:28

    Thank you all for your advice, we have found a car and are currently in the process of purchasing it.

    • spackbace on 04/02/2020 - 11:55

      What's the car?

      • fatness94 on 05/02/2020 - 10:10

        Subaru Forester 2.5i-L

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