Buying a used car: avoiding the pitfalls

There are several potential pitfalls to be wary of when buying a used car. But all can be avoided if you know how

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Many people are put off from buying a used car by the potential pitfalls that can come with the purchase of such a vehicle. You may be worried about getting a car that has previously been stolen, damaged or written off, or one that develops problems that are expensive and inconvenient to fix. You may also wonder if you're getting good value for money overall. Fortunately, it's possible to avoid many of the most common pitfalls by taking some sensible precautions and making some simple checks on any car you're considering buying.

Possibly the biggest concern for a used-car buyer is the possibility of buying a car that has been stolen or that has outstanding finance payments to be made on it, meaning that even if you've taken possession of the car, you're not the legal owner and will be left out of pocket when the car is reclaimed. It's extremely rare to be faced with this situation if you're buying a car from a franchised or independent dealership, but you should exercise caution if buying privately through classified ads.

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