New research reveals risks of buying a used car
More than seven in 10 drivers admit they don’t have the knowledge to make informed decisions when buying a used car.
CarGurus surveyed 2,000 used car buyers and found that just 15% believe they are well-placed to ask the right questions and get vital information about their purchase.
This comes as data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveals that the average age of a car on UK roads has reached a record high of 9.7 years. This underlines that drivers are keeping their cars for longer, with 33% not buying a car in the last three years and 17% out of the market for over five years.
The CarGurus study found that 43% didn’t know it is possible to check the MOT history of a used car, while 51% admitted they would not check for outstanding finance, 40% would not ask if any major repair work had been done, and 38% would not ask whether the vehicle had previously been involved in an accident.
As a result, 55% of those surveyed said they had encountered a surprise mechanical issue after buying a used car, 24% discovered electrical faults, and 15% found evidence of corrosion. The average bill of repairing unexpected issues in the first 12 months of ownership was recorded at £900.
Chris Knapman, CarGurus UK editorial director, said: “Buying a used car isn’t something most of us do every day, or even every few years, so it’s easy to feel a little out of practice when the time comes to change. The good news is that you don’t need to be a mechanic to make a more informed choice. You just need to know what to look for, what to ask, and where to find reliable advice.
“Our Used Car Buyers Guide is designed to help drivers get back up to speed, cut through the jargon and approach their next purchase with greater confidence.”
