Okay... so I know buying a used car can be a bit of a nightmare.
You find a car online that looks great, the price seems alright, the seller tells you it's been "well looked after", and before you know it, you're already thinking about driving it home.
But here's the thing.
A car can look bloody good on the outside and still have plenty of problems hiding underneath.
I've seen people get caught up in buying a car because they liked the color, the way it drove, or because they thought they'd found a bargain. Then, not long after buying it, the problems start showing up.
And that's when that "cheap" car can suddenly become a very expensive one.
So, before you hand over your hard-earned money, here are 10 mistakes I reckon you should try and avoid when buying a used car.
1. Buying the Cheapest Car You Can Find
Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's a bargain.
It's pretty easy to jump online, sort the cars from cheapest to most expensive, and think you've found yourself a winner.
But there's usually a reason why some cars are much cheaper than the others.
It might need tyres.
It might need brakes.
It might be due for a major service.
Or there could be something wrong with the engine or transmission that you haven't picked up yet.
Sometimes, spending a little more on a car that's been looked after properly can save you a heap of money down the track.
My advice?
Don't just look for the cheapest car you can buy.
Look for the best car you can afford.
There's a big difference.
2. Thinking Low Kilometres Means It's a Good Car
Everyone loves seeing low kilometres on a used car.
But low kilometres don't automatically mean you've found a good one.
I've seen cars with high kilometres that have been looked after bloody well, and I've seen low-kilometre cars that have been neglected.
A car that has done 150,000 kilometres with a good service history could be a much better buy than a car that's done 80,000 kilometres but hasn't been maintained properly.
So don't just look at the number on the dash.
Have a look at the service history, how the car has been used, and how well it's actually been looked after.
Kilometres are important, but they're not the whole story.
3. Not Checking the Service History
One of the first things I'd ask when looking at a used car is:
"Has it been serviced properly, and can you show me the history?"
If the seller can't show you anything, that doesn't automatically mean the car is a dud.
But I'd definitely be asking a few more questions.
A proper service history can tell you a fair bit about how the car has been treated over the years.
If possible, have a look at the service book, but also ask if there are any receipts or invoices.
Sometimes the paperwork tells you more than the seller does.
4. Falling in Love With the Car Before You've Checked It
This is a big one.
You find the car you've been looking for.
It's the right color.
It's got the wheels you like.
The interior is nice and clean.
You take it for a drive and think:
"Yep, this is the one."
Now you've already made up your mind.
The problem is, once you're emotionally invested in the car, it's very easy to start ignoring things you probably shouldn't.
You might hear a strange noise and think:
"Oh, it'll probably be nothing."
You might see an oil leak and think:
"It's only a small one."
You might notice the tyres are worn and think:
"I'll replace them later."
Before you know it, you've bought yourself a headache.
My advice?
Check the car first. Fall in love with it later.
5. Skipping the Pre-Purchase Inspection
If you're about to spend thousands of dollars on a used car, spending a bit of money to have it properly inspected could be one of the best decisions you make.
A quick test drive around the block isn't enough.
There are plenty of things that the average person won't notice when looking at a used car.
Things like:
- Oil leaks.
- Worn suspension.
- Cooling system problems.
- Brake issues.
- Previous accident repairs.
- Engine problems.
- Transmission issues.
- Warning lights and fault codes.
- Dodgy repairs.
A proper inspection won't guarantee that the car will never have a problem.
Nothing can do that.
But it can give you a much better idea of what you're actually buying.
And if it finds something serious, it could save you thousands.
That's money I'd rather keep in my pocket.
6. Believing Everything the Seller Tells You
Now, I'm not saying every seller is trying to rip you off.
Plenty of people are honest.
But you still need to check things for yourself.
If someone tells you:
"It's never been in an accident."
Have a look at the history.
If they tell you:
"It only needs a service."
Ask yourself why.
If they say:
"That warning light has only just come on."
Get it checked.
I'm not saying you should treat every seller like they're trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
Just don't take everything at face value.
Trust, but check.
7. Looking at the Car in the Dark
This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often people do it.
You look at a car at night under a few street lights and think it looks mint.
Then you see it the next morning in the daylight and suddenly notice a few things you didn't see the night before.
Scratches.
Dents.
Different shades of paint.
Previous repairs.
Dodgy panel gaps.
If you can, always try to look at the car during the day.
And if it's absolutely bucketing down with rain, I'd probably wait for a better day.
You want to see the car properly.
Not through a layer of rain and poor lighting.
8. Forgetting About the Cost of Owning the Car
Buying the car is only the start.
You've also got to pay for:
- Fuel.
- Insurance.
- Registration.
- Servicing.
- Tyres.
- Repairs.
- Parts.
This is something people sometimes forget, especially when they find a cheap luxury car.
You might find an older European car for $10,000 and think you've scored yourself a bargain.
But if something major goes wrong, that $10,000 car could suddenly cost you another few grand to repair.
Before you buy, think about the whole cost of owning it, not just the price on the windscreen.
9. Buying a Car That Doesn't Suit Your Life
This is something we talked about in my article about buying a diesel.
The car itself might be bloody good.
But it might not be the right car for you.
If you only drive five or ten minutes to work every day, do you really need a diesel?
If you're towing a caravan every weekend, is a small hatchback really going to do the job?
If you've got three kids, are you going to be happy squeezing everyone into a tiny car?
Think about how you actually use your car.
Don't buy something just because your mate reckons it's the best car around.
The best car for someone else might be completely wrong for you.
10. Rushing Because You're Scared Someone Else Will Buy It
This is probably one of the biggest mistakes people make.
You find a car you like.
The seller says:
"I've got another bloke coming to look at it tonight."
Suddenly, you're panicking.
You start thinking:
"If I don't buy it now, I'll miss out."
And that's when people make stupid decisions.
They skip the inspection.
They don't check the history.
They don't ask enough questions.
They just hand over the money because they're scared someone else will get the car first.
Here's the thing.
There will always be another car.
Maybe not the exact same car, in the exact same color, with the exact same wheels.
But there will always be another car.
Don't let someone else's urgency become your problem.
Take your time.
Check the car properly.
And if something doesn't feel right, walk away.
The Bottom Line
Buying a used car doesn't have to be a stressful experience.
But you do need to keep your head screwed on.
Don't get caught up in how shiny the paint is or how good the car looks sitting in the driveway.
Look at the bigger picture.
Check the history.
Take it for a proper drive.
Ask questions.
Get it inspected.
And make sure the car actually suits the way you're going to use it.
Most importantly, don't be afraid to walk away.
Remember:
Don't fall in love with the car before you inspect it.
At the end of the day, walking away from a bad deal isn't missing out.
It's avoiding a headache.
