| Buying a used car in Australia has a lot
| |
| | REVS call centre on (02) 9633 6333
|
| of advantages over a new car, but it may
| |
| | (Sydney) or (1800) 424 988 (Country) 7
|
| have defects the seller hasn't told you
| |
| | days a week. Call centre hours are,
|
| about. Follow our quick ten point guide
| |
| | weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm and
|
| to avoid buying a lemon.
| |
| | weekends from 9am to 5pm.
|
| 1. Buy the right used car for your needs
| |
| | The owner must provide you with a pink
|
| Besides budget you also need to consider
| |
| | slip inspection report current for the
|
| safety, security, makes and models you
| |
| | month.
|
| like, fuel consumption versus
| |
| | 6. Take it for a test drive
|
| performance, running/servicing costs,
| |
| | Take the car for a drive on a quiet road
|
| travel distances, carrying passengers,
| |
| | and listen for engine noise. Does it
|
| power for trailers or boats, parking,
| |
| | brake, steer and handle correctly? Is
|
| space for work or sports gear.
| |
| | the suspension ok? Try a reverse park,
|
| 2. Consider other "fringe" costs
| |
| | hill start and a 3 point turn. Brake hard
|
| Above the cost of the car bought from the
| |
| | once or twice on an isolated section of
|
| seller, there is also stamp duty,
| |
| | the road at around 40 kph. Did it handle
|
| registration, transfer fee, and
| |
| | correctly or veer to one side?
|
| insurance. Factor these costs in before
| |
| | 7. Negotiate the best deal
|
| you go shopping for a used car that you
| |
| | Remember that while you still have the
|
| can afford.
| |
| | money in your pocket, you're the boss!
|
| 3. Do I buy it privately, from a dealer,
| |
| | Do your homework before you set out to
|
| online or at an auction?
| |
| | purchase a used car and know what the
|
| Private - Advantages are that it is
| |
| | average prices are. If they are in the
|
| generally cheaper as there are no
| |
| | ball park, offer a price slightly lower
|
| overheads and you can meet and discuss
| |
| | and mention that you have seen better
|
| the history with the owner.
| |
| | deals elsewhere if this is correct. If
|
| Disadvantages are that there is no
| |
| | they don't budge, mention the costs for
|
| warranty, no security of title, no legal
| |
| | repair and wait for them to talk.
|
| comeback if you buy a lemon, may have
| |
| | Depending on how much you want the car,
|
| extensive concealed damage or repair
| |
| | make a slightly higher offer or ask if
|
| work.
| |
| | they could throw in something like new
|
| Dealer - Advantages are that if there is
| |
| | tyres for free. If they still won't
|
| money owing or is stolen, you have
| |
| | budge, walk away. There are plenty of
|
| recourse against the dealer, you get a
| |
| | other cars in the market and it is likely
|
| warranty, you may be offered a trade in
| |
| | there are better deals nearby.
|
| on you old car, you have a "cooling off"
| |
| | 8. Paying the money
|
| period if you are obtaining finance to
| |
| | Taking cash is a great way to negotiate
|
| buy a used car from a company linked to
| |
| | as the sight of a wad of notes may be an
|
| the dealer and the car is more likely to
| |
| | incentive for a cash strapped seller. It
|
| be in a road worthy condition before
| |
| | may also be a security risk, so if you
|
| being offered for sale.
| |
| | are unsure, pay by a bank cheque. If you
|
| Disadvantages are that dealers are often
| |
| | can't raise the money from your own
|
| more expensive, you are likely to get a
| |
| | reserves, shop around for the best
|
| poorer price as a trade in on your old
| |
| | finance deal online. A good resource for
|
| car, and some dealers can be very pushy.
| |
| | borrowing money at the best rate is
|
| Online - Advantages are that you don't
| |
| | Always get a receipt from the seller with
|
| have to travel, plenty of information is
| |
| | a statement that the vehicle is
|
| available on pricing, you sometimes get
| |
| | unencumbered by any loans or finance.
|
| colour photos of the used car, you can
| |
| | Talk to your accountant about the best
|
| buy in most areas of Australia, and you
| |
| | way to purchase the vehicle if it is to
|
| don't have to negotiate face to face.
| |
| | be used for your business. They may
|
| Disadvantages are you may not be able to
| |
| | advise you that a chattel mortgage is
|
| see and test drive the vehicle,
| |
| | often the best way to borrow for this
|
| particularly if you are buying
| |
| | purpose, depending on your circumstances.
|
| interstate.
| |
| | 9. Transfer the registration
|
| Auctions - Advantages are that they may
| |
| | Once the sale has been agreed on, the
|
| be cheaper and have a guarantee of title
| |
| | registration must be transferred to the
|
| Disadvantages are that it may be subject
| |
| | new owner. Make sure the seller gives
|
| to an auction fee, may also have to
| |
| | you the pink slip and completes the
|
| re-register the car and get a roadworthy
| |
| | disposal notice, then take them to the
|
| certificate, there is no warranty, can't
| |
| | R.T.A. and pay for the transfer.
|
| test drive, no legal comeback if you buy
| |
| | Instructions on how to do this are on the
|
| a lemon.
| |
| | reverse of the registration papers.
|
| 4. Take someone with you and get an
| |
| | 10. Before you drive away
|
| inspection.
| |
| | Make sure you get all the keys for the
|
| Two pairs of eyes and ears are better
| |
| | car (ignition keys with transformers are
|
| than one and it helps strengthen your
| |
| | expensive to duplicate). Get the service
|
| negotiations if you have someone on your
| |
| | book, owner's manual and log book.
|
| side, particularly if they know more
| |
| | If there's an alarm, find out how to
|
| about cars than you do. Preferably take
| |
| | de-activate it. Is there a hidden
|
| along a mechanic or pay for an
| |
| | ignition switch? Ask the owner or dealer
|
| inspection. It usually saves you a lot
| |
| | if there is anything else to know about
|
| of time and heartache and is well worth
| |
| | your new used car. You may be pleasantly
|
| the money. A qualified person will
| |
| | or unpleasantly surprised at the
|
| identify poor repairs and rust, faulty
| |
| | response!
|
| electrical wiring, exhaust, engine
| |
| | Handy phone numbers and online details
|
| noises, tyres wheel and brake faults, car
| |
| | NRMA Vehicle Inspections
|
| interior linings, seat belts and window
| |
| | 13 11 22
|
| operation.
| |
| | Get a thorough report on the car's
|
| 5. Check the ownership
| |
| | mechanics and condition from our experts
|
| In NSW Australia call R.E.V.S. REVS
| |
| | at NRMA. Vehicle Inspection bookings can
|
| stands for the Register of Encumbered
| |
| | be made seven days a week, between 7 am
|
| Vehicles. It is a statutory public
| |
| | and 10 pm for Sydney, the Central Coast,
|
| register which assists the general
| |
| | Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra. In
|
| public, the finance sector and the motor
| |
| | country areas, phone 13 11 22 for your
|
| trade. REVS is a business service
| |
| | nearest NRMA inspection service.
|
| provided by the NSW Office of Fair
| |
| | RTA
|
| Trading which can tell you if a motor
| |
| | 132 213
|
| vehicle or boat you are thinking of
| |
| | Check for stolen parts, that the
|
| buying is carrying a debt. In order to do
| |
| | registration is current and that the
|
| a REVS check you must supply :
| |
| | seller is the registered owner.
|
| 1. Registration Number if vehicle is
| |
| | Visit the RTA website or e-mail the RTA.
|
| registered
| |
| | .gov.au
|
| 2. VIN or chassis number
| |
| | REVS
|
| 3. Engine number
| |
| | 1800 424 988 or (02) 9633 6333
|
| To ensure the accuracy of the vehicle you
| |
| | Check no money is owed on the car. Have
|
| should obtain the details from the
| |
| | the Certificate of Registration handy
|
| vehicle and compare them with the details
| |
| | when you call.
|
| on the registration papers.
| |
| | Visit the REVS website or e-mail REVS
|
| For a fee of $12.00 a REVS Search
| |
| | merce.nsw.gov.au
|
| Certificate, which gives you conditional
| |
| | NRMA Insurance
|
| legal protection against repossession due
| |
| | 132 132
|
| to the previous owner's unpaid debt, is
| |
| | Get insurance cover before you drive
|
| available to you for purchase online. You
| |
| | away. Call NRMA Insurance 7am-10pm, seven
|
| can also purchase a certificate from the
| |
| | days a week.
|
