Buying a car on eBay can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars! You can conveniently browse through cars from all over Australia, be it a cheap first car, or a rare exotic classic, you never know what you will find. You will save hours of time by searching for the car you want rather then spending all weekend looking through car yards.
The most important thing to remember is most people aren't mechanics. You are not expected to know what everything does, and "what that noise is". Don't worry if you feel uncomfortable inspecting a car, most people do! If you are going to inspect the car, it is best to bring someone that knows a little bit about cars with you. If you are not able to inspect it, ask questions so you know what you are getting yourself into. Some people are willing to take a risk on cars, but it's a good idea if possible to get a mechanic to inspect the car and let you know if there are any faults. However, I know that it is not always easy to do that, so this guide will give you a few simple steps to help you make your decision on buying that car you want easier.
Firstly you need to find a car you like. You can search by price, make/model, engine size, location or any other constraints you might have to find the perfect vehicle you want. To go to eay car seack click the link and use the options of the left to find the car of your dreams: CAR SEARCH LINK. Once you have narrowed it down and chosen a specific type of car, take your time to see how many people are selling them, and what price they are selling for. There are many places on the net that will give you the market value of the car you are looking for, but I will guarantee you that you can pick up a car on eBay for much less then they suggest!
You then need to find the particular car that meets all your needs; engine size, automatic or manual, color, options etc. Make sure it has everything you want like power steering or air conditioning, otherwise you will be unhappy with your car from day one. Once you have found the car that perfect for you, you then need to ask the questions. Some people write great descriptions, giving you the good and bad points to the car they are selling. Others just give you the good, while some give you nothing at all.
Below are a list of the questions you need to ask in order to make sure that you are getting what you expect! Some people are not fussed with the condition of the paintwork or if the air conditioning works, but it is still good to know exactly what you are buying.
1)It is important to know the condition of the body and paintwork. Remember if you expect the car to be perfect, you really need to inspect it yourself, everyone's opinion of "good" is different. Metallic paint is much harder to polish and once it has scratches they usually won't come out. On the other hand solid paints can be buffed, and often even the most weathered of paints comes up shinier then you would imagine. Rust is a common problem in many older cars. It usually occurs around window seals and the bottoms of the doors. It doesn't take long for a small rust problem to turn into a large rust problem either. Make sure you find out if the car has any rust and if it has been treated. If there is any damage to the car and you would require it to be fixed, then remember it can get expensive and can turn your bargain car into a not so good deal.
2)The interior of the car is important. You sit in it when you drive so you want to be comfortable. Make sure you find out is the seats are in good condition and that those seat covers aren't hiding anything! Dashboard cracks often detract from the car so make sure you find out its condition. Older cars that have spent their life in the sun will often have dashboard cracks which can also be a good indication of the paintwork and cars history. Make sure you get photos of the seats, front and rear, and the dashboard. Also many cars, especially older ones, have problems with the roof lining coming unstuck and sagging so find out if that is a problem in the car.
3)Whilst the first two points are based on aesthetics, the engine and drivetrain of the car is what gets you from A to B. You don't want to buy a car and then find out you have to spend thousands to get it working properly. Find out if the car as been in any accidents, if there is any un-repaired damage, any noises, or if there is anything that doesn't work or that will need to be looked at soon. It is important to know when it was last serviced and what work was carried out. Major services that include the timing belt can be expensive, so a car with this already done will save you a lot of money. Make sure the battery condition is good and the car has no problems starting. Oil and water leaks can often spell trouble. Make sure the car does not leak or use any oil or water. Find if the gearbox changes gears smoothly and when it was last serviced. Ask about the condition of the brakes, exhaust, and the general drivability of the car. Dirty engine bays often lead to premature wearing of belts and hoses and other engine problems. Make sure you get a photo of the engine and examine it carefully for rust dirt and oil leaks, if you don't at least see a photo, you don't know you're your buying in to!
4)Other general points to ask about are:
If the condition of the tires look like this, they are completely worn and need replacing. If the car needs new tires be prepared to spend a few hundred on replacing them.
Make sure all the electrics are working, power windows, locks mirrors and sunroofs. Faulty electrics can be very costly to fix especially if the problem is not obvious
If the car is registered. If the car has run out of registration a long time ago it will probably mean the car will need some work to have it running again properly. Engines get detuned and brakes fade the longer a car sits stationary. If it still has some registration left on it, it will mean that you will be able to drive the car around straight away which can save a lot of money on towing or having to get it registered. Make sure you know what is involved with the transfer of a vehicle in your state. Every state has different laws involving the sale of a motor vehicle. Some states require roadworthy certificates, others just need the old and new owners signatures on the transfer paper.
Car with log books can give you piece of mind about the history of the car. Whilst it is not essential that the car has them, a well maintained log book will increase the value of a car.
Be weary of imported cars. Imported cars need to be compliance to Australian standards. Make sure if you are buying an import then it has all the necessary papers and compliance done. Compliance usually cost around $1000.
Make sure you know how many kilometers the car has traveled. High kilometers often means high engine wear, however remember that freeway driving is a lot better for the car then stop start driving as the car usually isn't warmed up correctly. Also be weary of how many kilometers the car is said to have done on the clock. These can stop working, or sometimes even tampered with so use is as a guide but do not take is as gospel, Kilometers isn't the most important thing!
Now you found your perfect car and you know its history and any faults it has, you can feel safer that you know exactly what you are about to purchase. Remember, a picture speaks a thousand words, so make sure you get as many photos so there are no surprises. Don't forget to regularly service and maintain your car so you can have years of trouble free motoring. Now you can go and enjoy showing of your new car you bought from eBay, which cost you a lot less then anyone would think!!
Orignal From: Buying a used car - The questions you need to ask!
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