This post is sponsored by Gumtree
It’s true that most of the women I know, when faced with buying a car (unless it’s brand new), look around for the nearest male. Guys just tend to like cars more, and there’s far less (perceived) chance that they will get taken advantage of while doing so.
I’m sure it’s not just women who are hard done by when it comes to cars and mechanics but I’ve had my fair share of questionable experiences. Followed by learning how to be very responsible when it comes to buying cars.
When I was at university, I drove a little white Daihatsu Charade which I purchased for $2,000 from my brother. It was brilliant at zipping me around to where I needed to go. It finally and very sadly konked out at about 290,000 kilometres, and I was at a loss. Searching for a new car, I was driving behind a little old couple through Mona Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. They were driving a maroon Daewoo with a ‘for sale’ sign on the back. It was being offered for $4,000. I was with a friend and we pulled them over and went for a test drive.
It seemed like a great little car, so I pretty much bought it on the spot. Rookie. Error.
Two weeks later, driving down the F3 highway to the Central Coast, the engine began making loud clanking noises and the car started backfiring before the engine shut down altogether. Stranded on the side of the freeway, I had to get the car towed to the mechanic, at which point they told me that the entire engine needed rebuilding so the car was essentially a write-off. They kindly offered to trade it in for $500, which was really for the parts.
Now low on cash and without a car to get me to uni and work, I called up the little old couple and asked if they could give me at least some of the money back, considering the whole engine had blown up within a couple of weeks of me having the car.
They declined, stating that it was my responsibility. As crappy as the situation was, they were right. It was my responsibility. I should have put it through the proper tests and ensured that the car was in a good condition to purchase. All of which I didn’t do. Well, I’ll never make that mistake again!
If you’ve been in a similar situation, or have had car troubles of any sort, you’ll know exactly how I felt. It’s really tricky when you don’t have a car you can rely on – dealing with breakdowns when you’re in a rush to get somewhere, doling out huge amounts of cash for repairs, and sometimes having to deal with shoddy mechanics until you can find one you trust.
So, what do you do when you’re planning to buy a new car – particularly if it’s a used car? Here’s the top steps to follow.
According to the NSW Government’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT), there’s much to consider before you buy a car – and it’s not limited to getting a good deal.
Decide where you’re going to purchase your car
According to the OFT, there’s benefits to buying from a licenced manufacturer but you may get a better deal buying privately, which includes online purchases. The OFT says, “Buying a car privately involves relying on your own judgment and knowledge. You can arrange for a vehicle inspection at your own cost, but there are no statutory warranties. Also, making sure that the vehicle is not encumbered, stolen or de-registered is the responsibility of the buyer.
Find cost comparisons and look for the best deal
Visiting car yards is a great way to test-drive cars and get a feel for the average pricing, but it’s also good to look online – there’s plenty of sites that offer a range of new and used cars for sale, including online Aussie classifieds website Gumtree, which has a massive automotive section.
According to Drive.com.au, Australia is one of the most competitive markets in the world for car sales. “There are nearly 50 brands with more than 500 models to choose from in Australia… Strong competition means the new car buyer gets good value but it also brings a degree of angst as market forces produce a high-pressure sales environment.”
Which leads me to suggest that you…
Ask the right questions
If you are buying privately, the OFT says you should ask for the following:
- Current certificate of registration
- Pink slip under 42 days old
- Proof of identity from the current driver
- Registration, engine and VIN or chassis number
- Then, you should ensure the paperwork provided matches that which is on the car.
- Get pre-purchase checks on the car
(This is the one I missed out on… Clearly!). This includes a Roads and Maritime service check, vehicle inspection and also being across how much the car is actually going to cost you, including stamp duty and registration, insurance, warranty or extended warranty and more.
Ensure all of the relevant documentation is with the car
The OFS says that before you drive away, ensure you have the key documentation – including all keys, service and log books, owners’ manual and instruction booklets.
The OFS provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to buying a car in NSW, including a checklist of items for you to consider before you purchase. Look for similar government-provided guides in your state.
When have you successfully – or not-so-successfully – purchased a car?
