Buying a New Car - Here are Ten Common Mistakes to Avoid

Top 10 Worst Car Buying Mistakes

In the UK, used cars account for over three-quarters of all cars sold each year. With buying a car the second largest purchase a consumer will make, getting it wrong could cost you thousands of pounds or you could end up with a vehicle that you won't be happy with later on.

Desperate Seller.co.uk shares the 10 common mistakes that car buyers often make, so that you can learn how to avoid them, enabling you to make better informed decisions when you buy your next new car.

1. Buying new instead of used: Whilst its great to have that new car smell and the sticker on the window to tell everyone you’ve just bought a new car, from the moment you drive off the dealer’s lot your new car will lose anywhere from 10 to 20% of its value. Why not shop smarter and purchase a used car instead. You’re likely to find that the same model of car that is just one year older can be dramatically less expensive but still comes with all the latest add-ons.

2. Not determining exactly how much you can afford to spend: Before you begin the shopping process, you have to determine exactly how much you can afford to spend. This is where the internet can really help. Several sites, including Desperateseller.co.uk have buyer’s guides that can help you compare one model to another within your budget. You can also read comprehensive reviews and ratings from leading car magazines and consumers who drive your potential future car every day.

To determine the price you are willing to pay for your future car, you need to find out the minimum price being offered to private sellers on online sites, the maximum price from retail dealers and the going rate from an average of the prices asked in the classifieds.

3. Not knowing what kind of car you're looking for: The other vital decision to make before you begin the shopping process is to decide what kind of car you want. Take into account your average mileage, the number of people that will be driving the car, impact on the environment and your own tastes of comfort and style.

It's also important to look three to five years down the road, to make sure your purchase will still be suitable if your needs change.

4. Not researching online: Thanks to the internet, car buyers have access to a wide range of information. There are many online car buying services and also car manufacturers' Web sites that have detailed product information.

Check the going rate for your new car by visiting www.glass.co.uk

And, before money changes hands, make sure you're up to speed on the legal aspects of buying and selling by reading the AA's advice for private car sales, by visiting www.theaa.com

Avoid bad deals and purchasing a banger by doing your research online.

5. Not starting your search on Desperate Sellerwww.desperateseller.co.uk: Desperate Seller is one of the UK’s leading car buying and selling website. Not only do we offer free information about car models, features, prices, and more, you can even find owner ratings, car suggestions, and reviews on the site.

6. Not taking a test drive: The test drive is one of the most important parts of the car-buying process. Once you’ve selected a potential vehicle to buy, a test-drive is a must! Try and arrange the test drive at the seller’s home, this should give you a better feel for the car by visiting the seller’s home and talking to their family. Also, never be swayed by shining looks: a quick valet and a new set of number plates will make any old wreck catch the eye.

It's critical that you take ample time—at least 30 minutes—to conduct a complete test drive and perform a thorough walk-around of any vehicle you're considering.

7. Not researching the value of your current car: If you’re relying on selling your current car to finance your new purchase, its vital that you know the value of your current car before buying your new one. Find out what both the used-car retail and wholesale prices are, so that you'll know what you should be able to get if you trade it in or if you sell it yourself.

8. Forgetting to cost out the running costs: The ticket value of the car is just a small cost to consider, many people forget to calculate the running costs of their new car. Make sure you include the cost of insurance in your budget for a new car. Sites such as Money Supermarket www.moneysupermarket.co.uk can search all leading insurers by filling in one form to provide you with a quote for insurance.

9. Not knowing a car's history: Insist on viewing the full service history from new to the most recent service and check that all the paperwork is in order. Never buy a used car without getting an independent check from a company such as HPI www.hpicheck.com who will check the records to make sure the car hasn't been written off, stolen or has outstanding finance.

10. Not having a used car checked by an independent mechanic: When buying a used car, condition is everything. Before you buy a used vehicle, have it checked by an independent mechanic. A good mechanic should be able to tell if the car has been in a major accident or has a hidden but costly problem. If repair work is needed ask for a quote, this will come in handy for your negotiations.

By avoiding these common mistakes, Desperate Seller can help you save thousands of pounds on your next car.

For further information, please visit; www.desperateseller.co.uk

More people opting for gas-guzzling used cars

The latest used car sales statistics released by Experian on 22 January have revealed that there has been a slight shift towards bigger cars during the third quarter of 2006, suggesting that cost conscious used car buyers are perhaps not as prudent or environmentally friendly as they might think they are.

Experian's Managing Director of the Automotive division, Rob Whalley believes that: "[The] increase in sales of older used cars that have larger engines, use more fuel and usually have higher CO2 emissions, is at odds with concerns for both the environment and the costs of running a car."

He concluded by saying that increased taxes and fuel prices have caused large car prices to drop further.

This certainly mirrors the 'car searches' that we have seen at Desperate Seller.co.uk.

Not what you want to do to a Ferrari

This is what happened when a Western Australian millionaire idiot got drunk and then drove his expensive Ferrari....

Here's the story from The Sunday Times...

Ferrari Gets Unwanted Nose Job
Andrew Chubb

December 18, 2006 01:00pm

IT'S a heart-breaking sight for car enthusiasts. This near-new Ferrari received an unwanted nose job when it ploughed into a traffic light in South Perth on Sunday.

Witnesses said the driver revved the Italian stallion at the lights next to the Windsor Hotel, at the intersection of Mends Street and Mill Point Rd, dropped the clutch and burned off around the corner, but humiliatingly lost control and slammed into the pole around 7pm.

Windsor manager Brian Hopley said the man appeared to be trying to impress bystanders in front of the packed hotel.

"He was waving at everyone in his new Ferrari, revving his engine up and making a big scene and he took off with a screech of rubber and went straight into the traffic light pole," he said.

Another witness, a Windsor patron who wished to remain anonymous, said the driver tried to run from the scene but was pursued by security staff and patrons tackled by hotel security staff and handed to police.

"I just saw him run and a few of us gave chase," he said.

"(The security staff) just chased him down and tackled him in the Windsor's car park."

Mr Hopley said he was astonished by how quickly pictures of the incident were circulated.

"I came to work this morning and got it off one of my staff members. I sent them to my wife, and she'd already received it from her daughter two minutes before," he said.

"It was a nasty waste of a brand new car, but the guy was an idiot, much to the amusement of our patrons."