By: Poelano Malema
Buying a car for the first-time is a big deal. Cars don’t come cheap and it is important to ensure that you make the right choice.
Unlike an item of clothing or a gadget, you can’t just return a car if you are not satisfied with it, unless there are serious problems.
Garage vs Auction
There are several places where one can buy a car. You can either buy the car at a garage, a private seller, or go the auction route.
Although all these options have their pros and cons, Robert Du Plooy, a Sales Executive from Pietersburg Motor Centre, says first-time car buyers should do thorough research before making the decision of where to purchase the car.
He says buying a car at an auction might be tricky for a first-time car buyer.
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The cons of buying your car at an auction
The expert says first-time car buyers might not know what to look out for on the car, which might give them problems at a later stage.
“Although most cars from dealers come from auctions, I wouldn’t advise a first-time car buyer to get a car from an auction. It’s tricky for a first-time buyer to know what we look for.
“Some cars may be resprayed, and you wouldn’t be able to tell,” he warns.
It is important that you check that everything on the car is in good condition. You also need to take into consideration the make, model, year, kilometers on the clock, and general condition.
Ensure that what you are paying for is really worth it. Some cars might be cheaper than the retail price, but you find that you will need to do costly fixing after purchasing the car.
The expert adds that another added pressure is that you will find yourself bidding for the same car with experienced bidders.
Auctions are where many car dealerships source their stock.
“You also have to compete with experienced bidders who might intimidate you,” he adds.
Lastly, the expert warns against registration fees.
“Then there are also registration fees that you will be liable to pay. So, I wouldn’t advise any first-time car buyers to get a car from an auction,” warns Robert.
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More tips about buying a car on auction:
- Ensure that the auction dealer is reputable and not a fly by night.
- Read all the terms and conditions of the auction and the car that you are purchasing.
- Inspect the vehicle that you are interested in before buying, because once you have bought it, you can’t return it to the dealer, unless there are serious problems with it and your contract makes room for that.
- Ask if there are any problems with the car before purchasing it. Be wary of buying cars that are marked ‘sold voetstoets’ (as is)
- Don’t be an impulsive buyer, rather decide on a budget and stick to it.
- Don’t forget to check all of the car’s documents including roadworthy certificates and if the license fees are up to date.
READ: Consider this before you approach the bank or a vehicle dealership
