Buying a used car from a private individual is not an easy choice for the vast majority of us… Although the need is felt, buying a used car can cause concern vis-à-vis the actual condition of the vehicle and its use by the previous owner. Is the used vehicle well maintained? Has he suffered a shock? Are there any hidden defects?. Follow the expert advice of our Used Vehicle Managers, Alexandre BRES and Albin ROQUELLE , to be sure to buy the perfect used vehicle.
The DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) has brought to light that a large number of second-hand cars on the market are “defective” vehicles , which do not meet the standards of security and involve more or less serious fraud. This is why it is essential today to check the origin and history of the used car you want to buy. This is why the government site Histovec was launched in 2019. Histovec allows tocheck the origin and history of the car .
Check the origin of a used car
Knowing the origin of a car means knowing where it was put into circulation , knowing if it was imported and knowing the number of owners (first hand, second hand, third hand, etc.).
Inspecting means walking around the car in static, either outside or inside. Outside, you will have to check the condition of the rims because a damaged rim can have repercussions on the direction of the car and involve generally expensive repairs.
Also check tire wear. Uneven wear, for example with slightly more wear on the outside of the car than on the inside, typically reflects a geometry problem.
We also advise you to check the condition of the bumpers and their mountings (they must not move): if they move, this may be a sign of a previous accident and this will most of the time require replacement. the room. With a light or the flash of a phone, you will be able to detect any signs of body repair . These will be highlighted by non-homogeneous reflections.
It is therefore important before buying a used car to check the commercial name of the car in order to be sure that you are buying a car with the right finish and the standard equipment that goes with it . In the event of a sale between private individuals, you must imperatively ask for the purchase invoice of the vehicle. In the event of purchase from a dealer, the dealer is responsible for the name of the product sold.
Why buy a used car from a dealership?
As you will have understood, buying a used car from an individual can be complicated as there are so many elements to check.
If you prefer to make a serene purchase without surprises , it is strongly advised to go through a dealer to buy a used car.
First of all, there is a bond of trust between the seller and the buyer . As a used car professional, he will know how to advise you and he will have nothing to hide from you.
Indeed, all our used vehicles are checked on 100 control points in our dealerships : you can be sure that there will be no hidden costs. If problems are detected during the expertise of the car, they will be repaired. This is called the repair costs and they are often higher than 1000€ depending on the interventions carried out. These costs notably mark the difference in price between a private seller and a professional seller. However, these costs are unavoidable and if you buy your used car from a private individual, you will sooner or later have to pay for them.
In addition, in the Chopard Automobile Group, our used cars are fully guaranteed ! This warranty is for a minimum of 6 months but can reach 24 months on certain models . You can of course opt for an extended warranty of up to 6 years (72 months) .
At a dealership, the prices of used cars are subject to a precise study of the market . So you can be sure that you are buying a used car at market price. The prices are also consistent with those practiced on the internet and can sometimes be lower in concessions with in particular the quality of service in addition and the guarantee of having a hassle-free transaction. Beware, however, of offers that are too attractive: a price that is too attractive can hide a wolf.
We can also offer you a trade-in offer on your current car . Your trade-in vehicle can thus be deducted from the purchase amount of the new vehicle. Either in contribution of the financing, or in tariff deduction in the event of cash purchase.
A dealer, as a professional, must be irreproachable and must establish a relationship of trust with his client. This relationship of trust is essential, especially when paying for the used car. Indeed, whether it is in the event of a trade-in of your old car and/or for the purchase of a used car, you can be confident of payment at a dealership . Which is not always the case with an individual. With more than 60 dealerships throughout eastern France, the Chopard Group has a duty to be exemplary and will be present in all circumstances. This is not the case in a person-to-person transaction.
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