SummaryWhere to look for the right used car? Make sure the car runs smoothly Find the right payment method
When choosing your car, take the time to ask yourself the right questions. Determine which model and what type of cars you want to buy: vintage car, city car, electric car, minivan, SUV, hybrid car; diesel or gasoline; classic gearbox or automatic gearbox ... This will allow you to target your search on car advertising sites, at a garage or at a dealership with a fleet of used cars.
Where to look for the right used car?
The automotive market is very large. Before buying a used vehicle, gasoline or diesel, you should first shop around to see where you can find it. There are many ways to acquire your car:
At the dealership that sells pre-purchased used cars and keeps them running smoothly for resale. Payment is secure and the car is guaranteed. Nevertheless, the selling price of a car in dealership is often quite high because of the quality of service provided by the professional but also because of its costs and its margin which are higher. where you can find cars in private homes. The risk is running into dishonest buyers and sellers, or people who waste your time without following through with intermediaries who connect sellers and buyers like CapCar. The intermediary is fully transparent about the general condition of the car. Calling on him allows to secure the payment and to be sure that the car is in good condition because it is inspected by a professional mechanic and sold with a warranty.
Make sure the car is in good working order h2 >
Before even considering having found the rare pearl, it is essential to check the proper functioning of the used vehicle that you have spotted. This is always the trickiest part of a sale between private individuals. To do this, it is first necessary to ask the seller as much information as possible about the car, information that only he can answer.
It can be the number of kilometers traveled, the number of people who owned the car before him, the type of fuel, service intervals… It is possible to ask for details such as the origin of the tires, if they have already been changed, if the bodywork has been redone…
To facilitate information gathering, make a check list of everything that is essential to know beforehand for the vehicle purchase of a used vehicle. Taking all this information means avoiding unpleasant surprises!
The vehicle must be in good condition. It is therefore necessary to check that the technical control is up to date and that all the control points are up to standard. Also remember to check that the papers are correct, that the names match and the dates (especially for interviews). Finally, if you know the location of the manufacturer's plate, check it to see if it matches the gray card (the seller's registration certificate).
It is equally important not to not rush and try the car before you buy it. Often the test of a car takes between 15 and 20 minutes. Auto tests are essential. This is a "minimum", and it allows the new owner to make sure that the vehicle is running correctly, that the brakes, lights and handbrake are working and to know if there are things to replace or need. have it checked quickly.
Note that it is also possible to let a professional inspect and take care of all these rather technical checks. This is what the CapCar service offers, which uses experienced mechanics to evaluate the car you want to buy on our site. The inspector is responsible for verifying 200 control points and writes a complete report of all defects up to the micro-scratch!
Find the right method of payment
In order to To be safe, you have to find a risk-free payment method so you don't get ripped off. There are different methods of buying a new used vehicle and making a payment that will minimize the risk of problems, or worse, scams:
Bank transfer
If you buy a used car from an individual, it is possible to make a bank transfer. The transfer is effective immediately and implies that the sum is real, unlike the classic check ... However, it happens that the buyer is very often afraid to send the money before collecting the car.
The cashier's check
The second solution is to use a cashier's check. This is chargeable and edited by the bank for the buyer. The seller can check with your bank to see if you have the funds to buy the car. He is thus reassured and so are you. However, this method may have flaws, some cashier's checks are unverified, and there may be some scams. To thwart this easily, never call the number on the check to verify it, and carry out the transaction during the opening hours of the telephone switchboard of the bank or your branch.
The escrow account
It is a new system that is increasingly coveted. It allows the buyer to block the vehicle's money in an account managed by a third party organization that makes sure to keep the agreed amount and redistributes it when the transaction is completed. There is no need to make a deposit. This method is more and more recommended because it has become safe and very fast. On the other hand, it is also the most expensive means of payment, the price being between 29 and 79 € while for the cashier's check costs around 15 €.
The intermediary
To save you all procedures, there are intermediaries between sellers and buyers who take care of everything in terms of payment. This is one of the services offered by CapCar. Indeed, everything is secure and when the transaction is made everyone receives their due, the car on the one hand, and the money on the other. On the CapCar website you will find the car catalog which you can consult at any time. This catalog contains the full mechanic's report on the car and gives you access to the details of the 200 checkpoints performed by our auto professionals.
