With the way the world economy is going, it’s safe to say that wherever you live, buying a brand spanking new car, fresh out the box, is unlikely for the vast majority of us. If you’re anything like us, you’re viewing the second hand car market with a little glimmer of hope in your eyes, and for good reason. After all, a (much cheaper) second hand car could be the answer to your transport dreams. Of course, if you don’t know how to go about buying a pre-loved car you could just be in for an expensive nightmare…

To help you avoid the pain of getting this type of purchase wrong, we’ve put together some essential tips and steps that’ll show you the advantages of going second hand, what to look for, and how to buy with confidence.

But first, here’s why it’s cheaper and why you need to know this

It might seem obvious that something second hand is cheaper just because it’s not new… But you need to understand that second hand cars have gone through considerable depreciation. They’ve been used and in some cases abused, so they’re much cheaper compared to new cars.

Got it? Good, because once you’ve understood this point, we can move on.

Buy from a reputable dealership

By and large, dealerships tend to take more care for their pre-loved stock. Remember our earlier point about used and abused cars? That’s applicable here. Also, dealers tend to price their cars well against the market, and they’ve done their best to put the sheen back on their fleet of second hand beauties.

This is usually even more true when it comes to commercial dealerships (approved dealers) who are more likely to resolve any issues that go wrong with your car once you’ve bought it than private dealers.

So, while you might find an exciting deal online with an unknown private seller, just be warned that you could be hoodwinked into buying something shiny that’s hiding technical terrors beneath its bonnet.

Get it checked out

If you’re buying from a respected, commercial dealership, this might not apply to you. But if you’ve found the car of your dreams online or through a private dealer, then you’ll want to get it checked by an independent, reputable garage. Seriously, don’t skip this step. It could save you from buying a Ferrari on the outside but a 60-year-old Volksie on the inside.

Consider the service plan factor

New cars tend to come with service plans, which is why people prefer to buy new… But if you look for it, you can find a decent second hand car in your dream colour and mileage that comes with a plan. Some dealerships will even allow you to extend the service plan for an additional fee, if you prefer it, so just ask.

Of course, if the car you’ve chosen doesn’t come with a service plan, you can call a dealership to find out what a plan would cost for your specific car and then deposit a monthly instalment into your savings account so that you’re prepared to handle your service costs.

Negotiate for something better

You’ve got nothing to lose by asking, so talk to the dealer about the final price tag (including the roadworthy test and registration fees). You could get a discount of note and end up driving off in a car that you’ve paid way less than you expected. You never know… The dealer might be more keen to sell than you are to buy, which could result in some pretty amazing discounts.

Don’t forget about the insurance

When you’re planning on buying a car, whether it’s second hand or new, you should always get an insurance quote before you sign on the dotted line. There’s no point in buying a car that you can’t afford to cover.

We love helping our fellow Namibians get simple cheap car insurance. Especially because our comprehensive car insurance premiums decrease monthly in line with the depreciating value of your new-to-you car, making it increasingly cheaper as time goes by.

It’s not just to check the affordability, though... You should also make sure that you get cover before you drive your new baby off into the great beyond to protect yourself against the financial woes that come with accidents and theft.

If you’re looking for a quote as you putter along on your journey to buying your dream second hand car, then get in touch for a quote today.