| Buying a used car in Australia has a lot of advantages | | | | on (02) 9633 6333 (Sydney) or (1800) 424 988 |
| over a new car, but it may have defects the seller | | | | (Country) 7 days a week. Call centre hours are, |
| hasn't told you about. Follow our quick ten point guide | | | | weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm and weekends |
| to avoid buying a lemon. | | | | from 9am to 5pm. |
| 1. Buy the right used car for your needs | | | | The owner must provide you with a pink slip |
| Besides budget you also need to consider safety, | | | | inspection report current for the month. |
| security, makes and models you like, fuel | | | | 6. Take it for a test drive |
| consumption versus performance, running/servicing | | | | Take the car for a drive on a quiet road and listen |
| costs, travel distances, carrying passengers, power | | | | for engine noise. Does it brake, steer and handle |
| for trailers or boats, parking, space for work or | | | | correctly? Is the suspension ok? Try a reverse park, |
| sports gear. | | | | hill start and a 3 point turn. Brake hard once or twice |
| 2. Consider other "fringe" costs | | | | on an isolated section of the road at around 40 kph. |
| Above the cost of the car bought from the seller, | | | | Did it handle correctly or veer to one side? |
| there is also stamp duty, registration, transfer fee, | | | | 7. Negotiate the best deal |
| and insurance. Factor these costs in before you go | | | | Remember that while you still have the money in |
| shopping for a used car that you can afford. | | | | your pocket, you're the boss! Do your homework |
| 3. Do I buy it privately, from a dealer, online or at an | | | | before you set out to purchase a used car and |
| auction? | | | | know what the average prices are. If they are in the |
| Private - Advantages are that it is generally cheaper | | | | ball park, offer a price slightly lower and mention that |
| as there are no overheads and you can meet and | | | | you have seen better deals elsewhere if this is |
| discuss the history with the owner. | | | | correct. If they don't budge, mention the costs for |
| Disadvantages are that there is no warranty, no | | | | repair and wait for them to talk. Depending on how |
| security of title, no legal comeback if you buy a | | | | much you want the car, make a slightly higher offer |
| lemon, may have extensive concealed damage or | | | | or ask if they could throw in something like new |
| repair work. | | | | tyres for free. If they still won't budge, walk away. |
| Dealer - Advantages are that if there is money | | | | There are plenty of other cars in the market and it is |
| owing or is stolen, you have recourse against the | | | | likely there are better deals nearby. |
| dealer, you get a warranty, you may be offered a | | | | 8. Paying the money |
| trade in on you old car, you have a "cooling off" | | | | Taking cash is a great way to negotiate as the sight |
| period if you are obtaining finance to buy a used car | | | | of a wad of notes may be an incentive for a cash |
| from a company linked to the dealer and the car is | | | | strapped seller. It may also be a security risk, so if |
| more likely to be in a road worthy condition before | | | | you are unsure, pay by a bank cheque. If you can't |
| being offered for sale. | | | | raise the money from your own reserves, shop |
| Disadvantages are that dealers are often more | | | | around for the best finance deal online. A good |
| expensive, you are likely to get a poorer price as a | | | | resource for borrowing money at the best rate is |
| trade in on your old car, and some dealers can be | | | | Always get a receipt from the seller with a |
| very pushy. | | | | statement that the vehicle is unencumbered by any |
| Online - Advantages are that you don't have to | | | | loans or finance. Talk to your accountant about the |
| travel, plenty of information is available on pricing, you | | | | best way to purchase the vehicle if it is to be used |
| sometimes get colour photos of the used car, you | | | | for your business. They may advise you that a |
| can buy in most areas of Australia, and you don't | | | | chattel mortgage is often the best way to borrow |
| have to negotiate face to face. | | | | for this purpose, depending on your circumstances. |
| Disadvantages are you may not be able to see and | | | | 9. Transfer the registration |
| test drive the vehicle, particularly if you are buying | | | | Once the sale has been agreed on, the registration |
| interstate. | | | | must be transferred to the new owner. Make sure |
| Auctions - Advantages are that they may be | | | | the seller gives you the pink slip and completes the |
| cheaper and have a guarantee of title | | | | disposal notice, then take them to the R.T.A. and pay |
| Disadvantages are that it may be subject to an | | | | for the transfer. Instructions on how to do this are |
| auction fee, may also have to re-register the car and | | | | on the reverse of the registration papers. |
| get a roadworthy certificate, there is no warranty, | | | | 10. Before you drive away |
| can't test drive, no legal comeback if you buy a | | | | Make sure you get all the keys for the car (ignition |
| lemon. | | | | keys with transformers are expensive to duplicate). |
| 4. Take someone with you and get an inspection. | | | | Get the service book, owner's manual and log book. |
| Two pairs of eyes and ears are better than one and | | | | If there's an alarm, find out how to de-activate it. Is |
| it helps strengthen your negotiations if you have | | | | there a hidden ignition switch? Ask the owner or |
| someone on your side, particularly if they know more | | | | dealer if there is anything to know about your new |
| about cars than you do. Preferably take along a | | | | used car. You may be pleasantly or unpleasantly |
| mechanic or pay for an inspection. It usually saves | | | | surprised! |
| you a lot of time and heartache and is well worth the | | | | Handy phone numbers and online details |
| money. A qualified person will identify poor repairs | | | | NRMA Vehicle Inspections |
| and rust, faulty electrical wiring, exhaust, engine | | | | 13 11 22 |
| noises, tyres wheel and brake faults, car interior | | | | Get a thorough report on the car's mechanics and |
| linings, seat belts and window operation. | | | | condition from our experts at NRMA. Vehicle |
| 5. Check the ownership | | | | Inspection bookings can be made seven days a |
| In NSW Australia call R.E.V.S. REVS stands for the | | | | week, between 7 am and 10 pm for Sydney, the |
| Register of Encumbered Vehicles. It is a statutory | | | | Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra. |
| public register which assists the general public, the | | | | In country areas, phone 13 11 22 for your nearest |
| finance sector and the motor trade. REVS is a | | | | NRMA inspection service. |
| business service provided by the NSW Office of Fair | | | | RTA |
| Trading which can tell you if a motor vehicle or boat | | | | 132 213 |
| you are thinking of buying is carrying a debt. In order | | | | Check for stolen parts, that the registration is current |
| to do a REVS check you must supply : | | | | and that the seller is the registered owner. |
| 1. Registration Number if vehicle is registered | | | | Visit the RTA website or e-mail the RTA. .gov.au |
| 2. VIN or chassis number | | | | REVS |
| 3. Engine number | | | | 1800 424 988 or (02) 9633 6333 |
| To ensure the accuracy of the vehicle you should | | | | Check no money is owed on the car. Have the |
| obtain the details from the vehicle and compare them | | | | Certificate of Registration handy when you call. |
| with the details on the registration papers. | | | | Visit the REVS website or e-mail REVS |
| For a fee of $12.00 a REVS Search Certificate, which | | | | merce.nsw.gov.au |
| gives you conditional legal protection against | | | | NRMA Insurance |
| repossession due to the previous owner's unpaid | | | | 132 132 |
| debt, is available to you for purchase online. You can | | | | Get insurance cover before you drive away. Call |
| also purchase a certificate from the REVS call centre | | | | NRMA Insurance 7am-10pm, seven days a week. |