| Every year millions of Australian used cars | | | | suggests that the car has assumed the |
| are purchased privately direct from the | | | | identity of someone else, probably because it |
| owner. While this can often be the best way | | | | has been stolen before. |
| to achieve the best buy and bargains, it can | | | | |
| also become very expensive in cases when you | | | | Consider Car Registration Check. This |
| find out that the car has a number of | | | | includes a full description of the used car, |
| problems and/or a previously unknown owner | | | | including engine size and date of first |
| history. | | | | registration, so you can be sure of what you |
| | | | are buying. It will also tell you whether the |
| First, research about your desired car. Check | | | | used car has a finance agreement recorded |
| free classified ads, free car listings, and | | | | against it, if the car has been written off, |
| trade guides to get a good idea of car | | | | and whether the car has had any number plate |
| pricing and used car values. Car classifieds | | | | or colour changes. |
| such as au, au, au, and are excellent guides | | | | |
| and resources for buying used cars privately. | | | | The power of silence in negotiations. The |
| | | | chances are that at some point you'll enter |
| Once you have decided on which used car you'd | | | | into negotiations over the price. A good |
| like to buy after your used car search, and | | | | place to check for used car values and car |
| have found a possible seller, then it's time | | | | pricings are at Have both a highest price |
| to Arrange for a car inspection, preferably | | | | and a target price in mind before entering |
| at daytime. Of course, you'd want to inspect | | | | into negotiations. If your two offers are |
| and scrutinize the used car carefully, so | | | | some way apart, you try not to say anything. |
| insist only on daylight. | | | | Used car dealers use this tactic all the time |
| | | | as people find silence uncomfortable. Try |
| Take a friend along with you, preferably | | | | this and the seller will often suggest |
| someone knowledgeable about cars and their | | | | meeting half way, at which point you can |
| workings. If problems occur in the future it | | | | propose meeting half way between your offer |
| helps that you have a witness available to | | | | and the new offer, getting yourself a better |
| validate what was said. | | | | deal. |
| | | | |
| Check that the used car for sale has not been | | | | Finally, if you really are interested in the |
| 'clocked'. The average and normal kilometre | | | | used car, consider having it independently |
| range is about 20,000 kilometres a year. Of | | | | checked by a reputable garage or the RACV. |
| course, most used car dealers replace the | | | | Reputable sellers will understand this, so be |
| tyres. So if the used car has new tyres and | | | | wary of owners of used cars for sale who |
| you still can't trust the odometer readings, | | | | decline your request. It may be time to look |
| ask the owner for details of the car's | | | | elsewhere. |
| servicing history. | | | | |
| | | | _________________________________ |
| Always go for a test drive. However, make | | | | |
| sure that you are insured to do so. Iif the | | | | Wondering where have all the best used cars |
| seller says that he has cover, ask to see his | | | | gone? |
| policy. | | | | |
| | | | Come to |
| Carefully check the service log book. In | | | | |
| particular, look for the chassis number, | | | | OzFreeOnline is Australia's largest, |
| known as the vehicle identification number | | | | search-engine friendly, and free online |
| (VIN). This is usually located on a small | | | | classifieds. If you want instant results for |
| plate on the driver's door or in the engine | | | | your ads, be a member now for free. |
| bay. The absence of a VIN number strongly | | | | |