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