These days, very few people are without a car on their drive – be it an old banger to a brand spanking new vehicle but how much do you really know about the car that you drive? You don’t have to be an actual mechanic of course to go out and buy your latest vehicle but, a little knowledge can go a long way. Fortunately there are many websites and books available that will give you a fair bit of knowledge for next to nothing but, you can also enroll at your local college too and take a part-time course.
Sadly, wherever you are going to purchase your car, you need to enjoy a little bit of knowledge so that you can cut through any of the sales pitch and to make an informed choice and to feel confident that you have brought a car that will suit your needs for the foreseeable future.
What you have to remember is that someone is trying to sell the car so therefore they are going to tell you that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Even if you know the seller, take it from me, this will not stop them from trying to get rid of it onto you. You might be amazed at how many people buy cars with engine problems, clutch problems or any of a variety of potential problems in the making. The last thing you want is for the car to break down the moment you have driven away and parted with your money.
The trouble is, you don’t know how well the car has been looked after. So even with limited mechanical knowledge, some basic checks are needed. Don’t be scared to have a good look around. You might feel pressured if the sales man is bleating at you or you might feel a little awkward if the owner is hovering watching your every move but don’t worry about that. Do check the level of maintenance even down to ensuring that there is plenty of oil and water and that the engine looks like it has been maintained well.
Reading up a bit on the basic and often necessary mechanics can improve your chances of buying a gem of a car rather than one that is all show and no substance.
“Image courtesy of [anankkml] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”.