Getting a Used Car And Insurance For it: There are two major things to think about when buying a used car –being sure that you aren’t being ripped off with a subpar vehicle and that you are able to get car insurance for it in order to drive it legally. The good news is that the former needs more attention than the latter because the car insurance process for used cars is the same as it is for any other car. This post gives you the best of both worlds as it covers both good used car shopping habits and how to find the most suitable and affordable car insurance for it.
Ways You Can Get a Used Car
The two most common ways to get a used car for much less than a brand new one are directly from a private seller or through an auction –both of these come with their own stipulations. As a buyer, it’s important to know your rights to a functional product as you were promised. There is also the matter of making sure where you are getting it from is trustworthy. Auctions tend to be the more risky transactions since the same protections from an individual trader aren’t offered by them. When looking for a seller to buy a used car from, try to look for:
- Established seller – Private sellers with a good reputation especially are the best at selling good used cars. They had to get that reputation with plenty of experience.
- Trade association-certified – Sellers that are trade association-certified are held to a standard of service by the association and can be reached out to if anything goes wrong. They are also required to follow a code of practice that prioritizes customers.
- Inspected cars – Sellers will also let you know if the car they are selling has been inspected by a certified engineer. When a car is used, you want them to be functioning like new. Inspected cars naturally tend to run better than those uninspected.
Buying a Good Used Car
Looking for reputable private sellers is half the battle; the other is making sure the used car checks out. Used cars are typically already registered, so you will need the corresponding information that should be included with the car when you buy it:
- Vehicle registration number – Every registered car will have a registration number on its plate. It wouldn’t be possible for the previous owner to have driven the car prior without this so every used car should have one.
- MOT test number – The Ministry of Transport is a yearly test for vehicles’ emissions. This is usually done when the car is at least three years old, which some used cars will naturally be. So, it’s important to have a record of the car’s MOT test history and know when to take it in again since it will be your responsibility.
- Mileage – It will help gauge the health of a used car when you look at how many kilometers it has racked up. Insurance may take this into account when you go out to get coverage.
- Make and model – Of course, the type of car you are buying also matters for a variety of reasons. Some cars don’t exactly age with grace and are more to insure than others. Always give thought to the kind of car you are getting.
Getting a Used Car’s History Checked
Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for private sellers to forge a car’s record and history. They can omit serious details like accident, criminal, and repair instances. This can come back and seriously harm you in the near future. There have been cases where stolen cars have been sold under the guise of used cars. That’s why it’s important to get a background check on the car beforehand. These can be done privately and costs a maximum of £20. These checks can tell you the following about a used car:
- It has been stolen
- There is an existing finance plan on it
- Accident history
- Actual mileage
- Note of major repairs
Getting Car Insurance For a Used Car
Once you’ve made your purchase and the used car checks out, it’s a matter of getting car insurance. Perhaps you already had it sorted out beforehand, or you’re shopping for car insurance at the same time as you buy the used car –you’ll always need car insurance know-how. As previously mentioned, buying car insurance for a used car is the same as getting it for a brand-new one. The general process is:
- Gather quotes – The most important thing that car insurance offers is variety. Every insurance company prices its policies differently, so take advantage of that and plug your information into as many sites as possible to find the insurance policy that suits you.
- Select level of coverage – Always go beyond the minimum car insurance requirements but be mindful of what coverages you need and may not. Used cars don’t often require the same amount of coverage as a brand-new car would.
Select then finalize your car insurance – From here, it’s a matter of making your first payment and finalizing your car insurance. A benefit to used car ownership is that its insurance rates won’t be as high as new ones, as previously mentioned.
