Driving a hard bargain

Lead in: Looking for a second hand car is not an easy task. Negotiating effectively after you find the vehicle you are looking for can help you bring down the cost of your purchase. Click here to know some valuable negotiation tips and save money.

Buying a second hand or used car may be the right decision for you for many reasons. Maybe you are still learning to drive. Maybe your budget for a vehicle is limited. Or maybe you just do not have the confidence to risk driving a car on crowded roads just yet. If you are in any of the situations mentioned above, buying a new automobile may be an expensive option.

Purchasing a pre-owned car is a remarkably different process than just walking into a showroom and selecting a shining, picture perfect car model. Searching for and negotiating the price of a used car is trickier. Effective negotiating skills are the deciding factor here. If you are looking for a second hand car, we have some useful tit-bits of information for you.

• Basic research

Start your second hand car search with thorough primary research. Make a list of all your specific requirements, like car model, year of manufacture, usage, mileage, etc. Scour the market for the best option matching your requirements. Also try to find out the costs involved like dealer's commission, transfer fees, etc. Such research can not only help you find the right car, but also the best deal, saving you precious time and expenses. You can use popular mediums like car dealers, authorised pre-owned centres or one of the popular online mediums to look for information and prices. Your homework should be done well before approaching a dealer. In case an automobile captures your interest, learn its history well, focusing on its condition, maintenance and inspection. Also check important car documents thoroughly.


• Quote a fair price

A second hand car buyer has to tread the cost factor cautiously. Start with a negotiable price before quoting your final price. Determine the price ceiling according to your budget, stick to it and be a firm negotiator. Beware of an asking price which is too low. As the saying goes, if it is too good to be true, it probably is. To avoid quoting too high or too low a price, keep the car's condition, make and model in mind. Your quotation and negotiation at this stage is the most crucial aspect of your search. If you are able to do both successfully, you will end up saving on the asking price of the pre-owned car.

In addition to this, your source of finance for purchasing the automobile needs to be ready. If your budget permits, consider hiring an expert used cars dealer. His skills and networking abilities can strike a profitable deal for you.


• Seal the deal

Once the price of the pre-owned car is negotiated and determined, sign the necessary papers and close the deal. Ensure that all the documents are in order when you ink the deal. Ideally, by this stage, you should have inspected the car well and taken it for a test drive.

Following the above-mentioned steps will help you own your dream automobile without burning a hole in your pocket. So go ahead, prepare to drive home your brand new used car!