We Need a Bigger Car! | Second Hand Car Buying Guide
Disclaimer: This post is a sponsored post. I was asked to write about my experience buying a second hand car. The following words and opinions are my own. All photos are copyright property of Me Becoming Mum.
When we found out we’re expecting, we realised one major thing… my trusty Ford Focus was not going to be big enough anymore! In the months that followed we began shopping for a new (to us!) car on the second hand market. Here's what we chose for our growing family, plus my top tips for buying a second hand car.
Introducing our new (to us) car
What did we need?
Ultimately, our Focus was too small… With a new addition on the way, we realised we wouldn't have been able to fit all 5 of us in the car together legally (because of car seat regulations!) So, we needed a 7-seater. My Ford Focus was comfortable and reliable; and I was sorry to see it go! If you're in the market for a pre-loved Ford car and are close to Brighton; visit KAP Motors. They are sure to be able to help you find your right fit.
What did we want?
As well as needing 7 seats; there was a few things that I spoke to John about wanting when we were on the look out for our new (to us) car. I wanted:
Cruise control, especially now we have 6 hour long journeys when we travel to visit family.
A working radio / sound system, because as good as my Focus was, the radio never worked from the day I bought it!
What did we choose?
We went for a Qashqai+2! We did look in Cumbria, but couldn't find anything that fit our budget and ticked all the boxes. In the end we travelled south (4 hours South in fact!) to Car Connect to purchase our car. I asked lots of questions over the phone before travelling, and made sure I did all the checks I could beforehand to ensure it wasn't a wasted journey.
My top tips for buying a second hand car
Decide on a budget
Your budget is a personal choice. Make sure you consider how much you have in savings, how much you will be able to save, how much you are willing to spend, and what the average market value of the cars you like the best is. Using something like the Money Advice Service budget planner is a great way to plan and save. There are often finance options available, even on second hand cars, however make sure you do due diligence on the companies who offer finance loans against cars, and ensure you are able to afford the deposit and any repayments.
Ask how long it's been on the market
A good indication of a potential underlying issues with a second hand car is if it has been on the market for a long time without selling. If you can’t see a date online, give the car dealer a call and ask them. If it has been available for a while, ask them if there is a reason for it not selling.
Research the dealer selling the car you like
If you search for your car through sites such as Auto Trader (which is where we found ours!) you will probably be able to read some reviews of the dealer you're researching on the site itself. Alternatively, search the car dealer on a site such as Trustpilot to see what other customers have to say.
Check insurance costs
Did you know you can call your insurer for a quote before buying a car? Some will even add a note onto your account to say how much you were offered for the car, including any multi-car discounts. That way if you do decide to go for the car you’re looking at, you can make one quick call to get insured and drive your new car away.
Make sure you look the car over
The mileage
Check the mileage is suitable for the age of the car. Plus you will be able to tell when things will need sorting (many cars need their clutch replacing between 80,000-100,000 miles; for example.)
The engine
Of course you need to check the engine, one of the most important parts of a car. A few important things that you need to check include:
Rust
Leaks
Cracked hoses
Corrosion
Oil
Water
The exterior
Most second hand cars will come with a bit of a scratch or two on the surface. However it is important to double check there’s no major damage such as deep, compromising scratches; paint chips ; cracks in windows or large dents. Finally, don’t forget to check the tyres!
The interior
Whilst you can invest in seat covers and floor mats, you do want to make sure you aren’t going to have to put a lot of time, work and money into fixing issues inside your car. This includes checking for loose wires, holes in the seats, rust spots, and more.
Any extras
As I said above, I wanted to ensure that the car we chose had cruise control and a working radio. Once in the car, I double checked that those were working. Other things to check are lights, wipers, air con and heating.
Go for a test drive
A test drive is the easiest way for you to make the final decision on whether you love a second hand car or not. It will allow you to get a feel for how it drives, as well as check things like the clutch, brakes and more are all working correctly.
Tax your car before driving it home
Taxing your car can be done online now! It’s a quick and easy process, and you can even decide if you want to pay for it over the course of a year in small, direct debit increments or a lump sum. All you need to do is visit GOV.uk and fill out the details. Don’t forget that you need a V5C (log book) or the green, new-keeper slip.
So, there you go! Now you’ve seen our gorgeous new addition, just in time for our little boy’s arrival. I hope that you’ve found this quick and easy guide to buying second hand cars useful, and you now have everything you need to be able to prepare for buying a new (to you!) car.
For more blog posts about pregnancy, check out the category here. Do you have any questions about buying second hand cars, or our Qashqai+2? Let me know in the comments below.
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Check out when we popped down to Bassenthwaite with my camera to snap maternity photos as a family.