Buying used cars: Tips for a good and safe deal

There are plenty of used cars out there. Unfortunately, there are also some real duds among them, and the sellers are happy to see them finally roll off the lot. Depending on the contract, all repairs and improvements are then excluded, and the new owners of the cars are left with the costs. To prevent this from happening, you should be as clear as possible about the condition of the car before you buy it – and if in doubt, say “no”. But the research doesn’t just start with the car – you should find out beforehand who you are dealing with. Because an important principle is: “Buy the seller”. This means that you should only buy a vehicle if you have a good feeling about the previous owner.

Where can I find the right place to sell used cars?

Gerald Puhl, CEO of the used car platform heycar, explains that you should only use established platforms to get information in advance. Facebook groups or back-yard dealers are therefore less suitable for research than platforms where dealers can get ratings and advertisements can be reported. Sascha Vidahl, automotive expert at HUK-Autowelt, also gives research tips: “You shouldn’t limit your search for used cars too much in advance on the relevant marketplaces. Not all dealers list all equipment features, which means you might accidentally exclude suitable vehicles. If you set search filters, then use as few as possible.”

Buy online or visit a dealer?

Gerald Puhl explains that you can also buy used cars safely on the Internet – if you pay attention to certain things. “The most important quality criteria (e.g. age and mileage) should be directly visible. A fresh TÜV certificate offers a reliable guarantee that the car is in good condition and has no hidden defects,” he says. The Internet also has a big advantage, Puhl continues: “In general, buyers have a 14-day right of withdrawal for online purchases, which begins upon receipt of the goods. Some used car platforms offer extended withdrawal periods and a used car purchase with a guarantee. However, it should be clarified in advance how a possible return is handled. A used car is a big investment, so interested parties should know in advance whether the provider offers free collection.” If you pay attention to shipping costs and delivery conditions, says the heycar CEO, you can’t really go wrong.

Vidahl gives another tip for choosing a retailer: “Reviews – whether positive or negative – should only be taken seriously if they contain longer texts and the customers have written meaningful content. Everything else is too easy to fake. Uncommented one- or five-star ratings are often not serious.”

What is the right price for used cars?

Sad but true: If a car is particularly cheap, that is often not a good sign. Sascha Vidahl warns: “It sounds stupid, but the price must not be too cheap. If an ad for a supposedly great car differs by thousands of euros compared to other offers for the same model, in 90 percent of cases that is a sign that something is wrong. There is always room for negotiation, but every car has a certain price category that reputable dealers usually do not deviate from.” For this reason, many online platforms have a price scale within the adverts that shows at a glance where a vehicle is priced. This means that you can immediately see major deviations from the usual market prices.

What should you look out for when dealing with a dealer?

If you then want to buy the car the traditional way and go to the dealer, there are a few things to consider. Because once the purchase contract has been signed, there is often no easy way back if you pick it up in person. So you should take your time when inspecting the car. “Sometimes you can achieve great results with little helpers. A paint tester costs less than 20 euros – and still tells me whether a car has been in an accident or has been repainted. If that is not stated in the offer, but the test pen clearly shows that something has been done, I would stay away. Dishonesty is a bottomless pit,” says Vidahl. Before you set off on your journey, you should also look under the hood and inside the car.

“Before you turn the key, you should compare the mileage with the general condition. No matter how clean a car is, some things cannot be hidden. If a vehicle with 30,000 kilometers on it is completely worn and worn out, that should give you cause for concern. The tires are also a good indicator of this, provided they are not new,” adds automotive expert Vidahl, “a look at the engine can also do no harm, even if you don’t know much about it. Is there any oil anywhere? A little is not unusual in old cars, but too much can indicate a problem. Has the engine been cleaned to a sparkling clean? As great as it may look, this is sometimes a tactic to hide exactly that. Be careful!”

What should you pay attention to during a test drive?

You don’t have to be a mechanic to notice inconsistencies during test drives, says Vidahl. “During a test drive, you should go through every gear if possible. Ideally, turn off the radio and listen carefully. Are there any annoying noises? Does the car jerk when accelerating? What does the steering sound like? Does it crack? And what happens when you let go of the steering wheel at low speed? Does the car pull to the side? Do the brakes squeak loudly? Anything that seems strange should definitely be addressed and clarified,” he advises.

Not every defect necessarily indicates a bigger problem. If the car won’t start at first or the brakes are stuck when you first drive off, it may just be because it’s been standing for a long time. However, if the car keeps making strange noises, you should investigate further.

Who can help me buy a car?

If you are not lucky enough to be able to take an expert with you when you buy a car, you don’t have to buy a pig in a poke. Several vehicle inspection centers, such as Tüv, Dekra or Gtü, offer so-called used car checks. This usually involves an appointment at the locations. If you combine the test drive with a visit to one of the service providers mentioned, a trained eye can look for defects there. Above all, such an appointment allows you to take a clear look under the vehicle, which is often only possible to a very limited extent in the dealer’s parking lots.

But be fair: discuss the appointment, which can take up to an hour depending on the inspector, with the seller. You should do this not only for reasons of transparency, but also for your own benefit. If the seller vehemently objects and forbids you from visiting the inspection center, this could be a sign that there might be something wrong with the vehicle. On the other hand, an uncomplicated agreement shows that the other party is clearly not afraid that the inspection could reveal anything negative.

What if I have a bad feeling?

Many people don’t want to hear the answer, but it’s true: “When buying a car, you should listen to your gut feeling. It’s not easy to give up your dream car when you really want it. But if something isn’t right or seems strange, it’s usually the best decision anyway,” explains Sascha Vidahl.

As mentioned above, there are more than a million cars available at dealerships – a second attempt can often be less hassle than a car that causes problems after purchase.