Dealer Approved Vehicles

USED CAR BUYING GUIDE

With the credit crunch in full swing many people are looking to buy used cars, rather than splashing out money on a new car.

With a new car of course you get various things which bring you peace of mind. Warranty is a big part of this, but there are a million other intangible things which make buying a new car so satisfying.

So how do you get this feeling of assurance from a used car purchase? The answer for more and more people is to buy a dealer approved vehicle.

USED CAR BUYING GUIDE

A dealer approved or approved used car is a which has usually had only one previous owner. The car will have undergone rigorous checks at the dealership and must meet a minimum quality standard.

The car must also have a certified warranty in place in order to be sold as an approved car. With many manufacturers now offering five or even seven years warranty as standard, this means you can buy a used car with many of the new car benefits still in place.

Decoded, this means that you get a quality controlled vehicle with many of the perks of buying a new car. The big difference of course is the price, with dealer approved cars always much cheaper than their new car equivalents.

Our dealer approved vehicles come with a fully accredited service history. And creating an online account with us means you will have access to this and other specific details about your car, including an extensive online image gallery.

Our guide below will identify some of the things you may want to consider when choosing your used car.

How many miles has the vehicle covered?

Technological innovation means that today’s vehicles will cover hundreds of thousands of miles if regularly maintained. A car’s mileage however will still to some extent dictate its value and this is something to keep in mind when you are choosing your vehicle. A service history should of course cover the entire mileage of the vehicle and demonstrate regular service intervals.

What is the condition of the vehicle, and is this important?

The condition of the vehicle will usually be reflected in the price, although dealer approved vehicles should to all extents appear much like a new car in every respect. Take time to study the condition reports and images carefully and be confident in question the dealer, who should be equally confident in return! Generally a vehicle which has been well maintained i.e. has a full service history should be immaculate inside and out. It should also be mechanically integral. If however there are minor defects then this should be reflected in the price. You know what you can live with as a driver.

What extra options does the vehicle have?

Modern cars come with huge lists of options and you will often find your approved used car has a specification you may not have been otherwise able to afford. You know what you want from an options package and the huge range of approved vehicles available on the buyacar site should give you options within options. .

How many owners had the vehicle have?

The most important aspect of any used vehicle is its condition in relationship to age and mileage. The service history should demonstrate regular maintenance - after all a vehicle can have few good owners or one bad owner! One owner vehicles are in some respects preferable because it is easier to keep track of the history of the car.

Has the vehicle ever been involved in an accident?

This is an important question but will generally not be relevant when considering a dealer approved car. If however the vehicle has been involved in a minor collision and repaired by a reputable garage then this will make no difference to the running of the car. You may however receive a substantial discount because of this fact. The conscientious buyer will pay attention to the inspection report and question the dealer, identifying any issues your car might have.

Does the vehicle have a service history?

The majority of car owners realise the value in maintaining their vehicles properly and servicing the car at the required intervals. It is very important that a vehicle has this history so you check that required work has been carried out and to verify the mileage. These checks will normally be carried out by the dealer when offering a dealer approved car, as these need to be maintained to a minimum standard. On a superficial level, when a vehicle has a full service history this will usually be reflected in the condition of the vehicle. An owner who is meticulous in maintaining the vehicle will usually care for its overall condition as well.

Is the dealer negotiable on their asking price?

We work hard to bring you the best cars that dealers bring to the forecourt, and our dealing with them is a constant effort to bring you the best prices on the market. Our virtual showroom incurs less costs than a normal roadside dealer, and our lesser overheads mean we bring you cheaper cars in general. This also applies to our new car sales model. In short, you don’t need to negotiate the costs of our cars down, as they are already heavily discounted.

TOP 5 USED CAR DEALS

The results below show the top USED CAR deals on buyacar

Land Rover Range Rover 3.6 TDV8 VOGUE 4dr Auto diesel estate
Price £27,995 Read Range Rover Reviews	Save
Toyota Prius 1.8 VVTi T Spirit 5dr CVT Auto hatchback
Price £16,000 Read Prius Reviews	Save £6,731
Toyota Prius 1.8 VVTi T Spirit 5dr CVT Auto [Solar Roof] hatchback
Price £17,980 Read Prius Reviews	Save £8,480
Toyota Avensis 1.8 V-matic TR 4dr saloon
Price £14,690 Read Avensis Reviews	Save £4,412
Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-CAT T4 4dr diesel saloon
Price £17,680 Read Avensis Reviews	Save £1,202
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT USED CAR DEALS