When you need to upgrade your wheels but the thought of splashing out thousands on something brand new doesn’t appeal, then you need think about how you’re going to get the very best value for money.

In this guide we take a look at the pros and cons of buying second hand and some of the pitfalls you need to avoid. If you’re not strolling into a dealership to look at New Audi Cars any time soon, then this blog is for you.

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Pros
There are a couple of options here that are available to you and they are buying second hand from a private seller or using a dealership that trades in second hand cars. Both have their plus and minus points.
The real benefit of buying from a private seller is the amount you are going to pay. In general you’ll be paying a great deal less, there’ll be no upgrades, no offers to sign up for deals,  just the car as it is. If the car is everything the buyer says then you may well be in a position to snap up a bargain and often private sellers will take a little less than advertised particularly if you have the cash with you there and then.
With a dealership you have the benefits of having a warranty, even for a limited time and the possibility of acquiring a few little extras, such as heated seats and so on. Depending on the time of the year and when the end of quarter sales figures are expected, you might also be able to negotiate some free insurance or a free MOT.

Cons
With private selling comes the risk of not getting quite what you bargained for. While we may want to believe most sellers are above board, there are unscrupulous people out there who may not reveal the problems with the car they’re offering.
Unless you have a mechanic with you or have a good knowledge of cars yourself, you’re really buying in blind faith and that can be fraught with danger.
A dealership provides more security and one with a solid reputation, or that is affiliated to one brand, is your best bet. You probably end up paying more than you budgeted for, but not so much that it breaks the bank. If you find yourself at the end of some serious upselling, don’t be afraid to walk away and try somewhere else. Set yourself a top limit and stick to it, those extras can soon add up.

Buying second hand doesn’t mean you need to compromise on quality and definitely not on safety. Get a mechanic to check over your potential car from a private seller and don’t fall victim to sales pressure from an overly confident sales person.

Shop around and don’t be tempted to snap up the first offer that gets accepted. Think of your car as an investment and one that you want to get the best return on. Look online first and then start the process of weeding out the rubbish until you get the car you were meant to buy.