Buying a used car can be a great option for motorists, particularly those looking to save a bit of money on their purchase. It can also be a daunting process, however, which is why Volvo Car UK is offering some top tips for motorists considering a used car.
Bruce Greenwood, Used Car Programme Manager at Volvo Car UK, said: “Buying a used car is exciting, whether it’s your first car or you’re upgrading to a newer model. Research has found that up to 60% of people looking to make a car purchase have not made up their mind if it will be a new or used car. Much of this doubt stems from uncertainty around used cars, which I think are a fantastic option that shouldn’t be overlooked.
“It’s important to do your homework and shop around before making a purchase, but to help further, we’ve compiled our top tips to help make the process as smooth and as enjoyable for motorists as possible.”
1. Is it too good to be true?
“When buying a used car peace of mind is as important as getting the best price. It’s important to be sure the history of the vehicle has been verified and that the vehicle has been thoroughly prepared. All the Volvo Selekt approved-used cars at more than 100 Volvo retailers nationwide are less than seven years old with fewer than 100,000 miles on the clock. They all go through more than 100 checks by our Volvo trained technicians, and the cars’ software is updated.
2. Try before you buy
“When you’ve found a car you’re interested in, it’s important you take it for a test drive, not only so you can get a feel for the car, but also so you can listen out for any potential issues with it. At Volvo, all of our approved-used car customers receive our exchange guarantee, meaning that if you’re not totally satisfied with your car within 30 days or 1,500 miles, we’ll exchange it for another car of equivalent value.
3. The price is right – or is it?
“Before signing anything, make sure that the price quoted is the price you’ll pay. It sounds like an obvious one, but there may be extras required that you hadn’t considered. All our approved used cars come with a minimum 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty and 12-month Volvo Assistance cover, all as standard within the Volvo Selekt package.
4. Look to the future
“When buying a car, it’s important to think about the future, not least in terms of the mileage you expect to put on the car or how long you aim to have it for. It’s also important to know what expenses you may have to pay out for in the not-too-distant future – an MoT test being one of them. It can easily happen that you buy a used car and the MoT Test comes around, and you could end up finding a host of things that need to be addressed. For peace of mind here at Volvo, MoT Test Cover is included with all approved-used car purchases. This means that when the next MoT test is due, it’s covered for the majority of items which may result in a test failure – even if the first MoT is not due for a couple of years.
5. Timing is everything
“There’s no bad time to buy a used car, but there are certainly better times to start your search, and being aware of sales and offers can help you save even more money on your purchase. While there are little differences when buying from a private seller, most retailers will have seasonal sales and offers that you can take advantage of. From Friday 16 until Monday 19 November, we’re holding Approved Used Car Sale Events at all our retailers in the UK, giving motorists the opportunity to test drive hundreds of used cars and enjoy 0% APR finance and two services for £199*. It’s a great opportunity for motorists to see what we have on offer, and we hope to find lots of people the right car, at the right price.”
For more information on the Volvo Selekt Approved Used Car Sale Events, please go to volvocars.com or visit your local Volvo retailer.
SOURCE: Volvo
