Are you planning to buy a used car? Check what you need to remember!

It's no secret that many of us choose a used car because of its lower price. However, if this criterion is followed, it is easy to step on a mine. And if we bought a car cheaper, if in a month or two she refused to obey us? The situation is not dire yet if we only have a small error, but there may be more bad cases. Some leave the mechanic an additional 10%, 20% or even 50% of the price they paid for the car.

How to protect yourself from this and not accidentally buy a ticking bomb?

This is what the article has been written about. Read it and you will learn how to start buying a used car step by step. This reading will be especially helpful for first-timers, but the more experienced will find useful information here.

Buying a used car - pre-preparation

Before you start looking for your dream car, think about the amount of money you want to spend for these purposes. While this may not seem like a big deal, in reality, the price will immediately direct you in the right direction when you browse through the offers. This makes it much easier to determine the scope of your search.

However, remember that in your capital you need to take into account not only the price of the car, but also the possible visit of a mechanic and possible malfunctions. There are also insurance and registration costs, but here we are talking about much smaller amounts.

Let's go back for a moment to the purchase price and the first service. It is best to divide your capital into two parts:

• the first (larger) one will go to buy a used car;
• the second (smaller) will go to the so-called. A locksmith's "starter package", that is, preparing the car for operation.

Thus, having bought a car, you will not find yourself in a difficult situation if the service is really necessary.

This advice does not apply to relatively young cars, but even then it is worth changing at least the timing belt and oil.

Car to order

Once you get your finances in order, reconsider your expectations. What is a car really for? It seems like a trivial thing now, but if you miss a purchase, you quickly change your mind.

If you own a family sports car (especially a two-seater), you can check it off the list right away - unless you buy it as an additional means of transportation that should give you pleasure. In any other case, a wagon will be much better, and when there are more children, a wagon or minivan.

A completely different situation when you are alone.

Then the above models are unlikely to be useful to you. Much better would be a compact car, maybe a mid-range car or (when you're looking for sensations) with a sporty flair.

However, do not limit the decision solely to your marital status. There are other considerations as well.

For example, if you drive primarily on city roads, an SUV would be a poor choice. It not only drives worse on asphalt, but is also much more expensive to maintain (especially when it comes to fuel). Always try to adapt your car to where, with whom and how you are driving.

Finally, one more note: avoid staring through the tunnel. What do we mean? Do not limit your choice to one or two car models, as you can ignore other important events that you did not consider at all.

And finally - you will succeed if you expand your knowledge about this machine. Do not be guided by stereotypes like: Italy is an emergency, and Germany is reliable. Every brand has good and not so good cars up its sleeve. Therefore, check for yourself what defects this model has and whether it often fails.

The opinions of other drivers, which you will find on various automotive forums, will help you with this.

Vehicle Inspection - What to Check?

Before finalizing your used car purchase, check carefully what you are dealing with. It is worth going to the car right at the owner's place of residence, because it is so easy to see how the engine does not warm up.

It's also a good idea to take a friend with you, for two reasons. First, the emotions associated with the purchase can cloud your good judgment, and you may miss some of the details that a calmer interlocutor will notice. Secondly, if your friend knows more about the car than you, he will be able to give you additional advice.

However, before proceeding with the assessment of the technical condition of the car, check its documents. Why in that order? Because legal problems are more likely to get you in more trouble than possible disruptions.

Legal status of the car

What is the most important thing in automotive documentation? Above all:

• VIN number - must be correct in all documents and on the body;
• pledge, loan, leasing - if any of these items are listed on the vehicle registration certificate or vehicle card, you assume these costs upon purchase;
• vehicle card - every car first registered after 1999 must have it;
• Third party liability insurance policy – ​​must remain in place and preferably on an annual basis. A policy purchased for one month is suspicious;
• details of the seller - make sure that you have signed an agreement with the real owner of the car;
• a previously issued purchase invoice or sales contract - thanks to these documents, you will be sure that the car belongs to the seller.

This is not all. If you are dealing with a car from abroad that is not yet registered in Poland, ask about the nature of the transaction. Disagree with the so-called empty contracts (commonly referred to as German contracts). They are not only illegal, but also dangerous to your interests.

Dlaczego?

Because the person in the document may be fictional. If you buy such a machine, you (the owner), not the seller, are responsible for any legal defect.

If you buy a car from a person who sells cars as a business, ask for an invoice. This way you will not have to pay PCC-3 tax.

Technical condition

Buying a used car cannot be done without checking its technical condition (unless you like surprises). If you don't have the knowledge to do it yourself, don't worry. In the area, you are sure to find a workshop that will complete this task.

You can get the most accurate information at an Authorized Service Station or in an independent and large workshop (an additional advantage will be if it specializes in this brand). It will be cheaper to visit the diagnostic station, but there you can check only the most basic.

In any case, the specialist should evaluate for you at least:

• the thickness of the varnish, the quality of the varnish and the level of corrosion;
• if the car has not been damaged;
• marking of glasses and their compliance with the year of manufacture of the vehicle;
• engine and drive system (performance, leaks, exhaust gas analysis);
• the motor controller and the errors it registers;
• brakes, suspension, steering (this is done on the so-called diagnostic path);
• condition of tires.

At ASO, you can look forward to more detailed information. The mechanics working there will also check for you:

• whether the actual condition of the vehicle corresponds to its specification (equipment, marking);
• service history (this usually requires the presence of the owner);
• more precisely, the engine and drivers (as well as those who are responsible, for example, for security systems).

Do you prefer to independently assess the condition of the car? Then remember that you don't have as many options as a mechanic in your workshop, but of course you can find a lot on your own.

The best place to start is with the controls on the dashboard. While the engine is running, none of them should catch fire. Also, check the oil level and the engine for leaks. Also listen to the suspension work. However, in this case, keep in mind that the rattling of the suspension in some models is almost natural, while in others, such an accident can entail significant repair costs.

Finally, it would be nice to get a paint meter. So you can easily check its thickness on the car.

At the end of the day, don't forget that you are buying a used car and some disadvantages are inevitable. Of course, each of us would like to buy a car without faults, but do not overdo it. It is unlikely that any seller polishes a car to perfection before putting it up for sale. Even if he writes that the car is in perfect condition, this is probably not true.

After you evaluate your parked car, see how it performs. There is only one way to do this - a test drive.

Test Drive

If you are taking a used car to a mechanic for inspection, this is a great opportunity for a test drive. So combine both destinations into one and go for a walk with the owner.

It would be nice if they let you get behind the wheel, but not every dealer will go for it. After all, this is still his car, and he is responsible for any damage that a potential buyer might cause. While this may make you suspicious, don't complain. You'll notice a lot in the passenger seat too.

By the way, you will learn about the owner's driving style, which will shed more light on the condition of the car.

Regardless of where you are, while driving, keep an eye on the controls and indicators on the dashboard. Also, do not forget to evaluate the behavior of the engine and the operation of the steering wheel. Finally, consider how easy the car is in steering. If he has a problem with it, then it may be due to something else, and not just because of the unevenness of the road surface.

A test drive is important for another reason. This is not only an opportunity to assess the technical condition of the car, but also whether it suits you. After all, it may happen that, despite the absence of malfunctions, the specifics of the suspension and the power unit will not meet your expectations.

To get a complete picture of your car, try at least once while driving:

• low and high speed;
• sharp braking and acceleration to high revs.

The dealer should not forbid you to do this (if you agreed to a test drive). After all, you will be driving this car, so you have the right to evaluate its performance in various conditions. Grimaces and complaints from the owner during hard braking or fast driving on the highway indicate that he has something to hide.

However, here still be moderate - drive a car legally.

Are you buying a car with an automatic transmission? Then one more piece of information for you: pay attention to gear changes. In older machines with fewer gears, small jerks are normal and sometimes it takes longer to change gear. On the other hand, newer gearboxes (with at least five gear ratios) shouldn't have such problems.

Buying a used car - deal

You like the car and want to buy it. The question is: how do you approach writing a contract in such a way as not to lose it?

Well, to begin with, it should be noted that you will be making the transaction both in cash and by bank transfer. The second option is safer, but if you prefer cash, make sure you have a witness. All you need is the good friend we mentioned earlier. If necessary, he will not only confirm the conclusion of the contract and transfer the money, but will also help you if the seller had bad intentions (for example, he wanted to rob you).

One more thing: negotiate a price before it comes to a deal!

You never know how far the owner can go beyond the initial quota, so it's worth a try. Feel free to bid up to 10% lower (for older cars, try even 20-30%). While you may not always be able to negotiate a reduction in this amount, very often you will win at least part of the initial offer.

Once you've agreed on a price, it's time to move on to the contract. It is best to prepare it yourself (you can find the corresponding templates on the Internet).

What should be in it? Here is a list of the most important points:

• day of purchase of a used car;
• exact data of the buyer (name and surname, PESEL number, NIP number, address, details of the identity document);
• exact details of the seller (as stated above);
• the most important data about the car (make / model, year of manufacture, engine number, VIN number, registration number, mileage);
• the amount of the transaction.

When it comes to the date of purchase, it is worth considering not only the exact day, but also the time. Why? Because you don't know what the owner has done with this car before. Maybe he committed a misdemeanor or a crime? Without an exact date of purchase, these problems will pass to you.

Also add to the text of the contract such clauses as “the seller declares the authenticity of the mileage specified in the contract” and “the seller declares that the car did not participate in any event” (unless you buy a damaged car). If the owner has nothing to hide, he will not see this as a problem, and you will receive an additional guarantee.

The sales contract gives you the opportunity to exercise your rights (for example, reimbursement of the cost of repairing damage that you did not know about). However, before this happens, you must show that the seller deliberately concealed and knew about the defects in the car.

What to do after buying a used car?

You already have your dream car. Now the question is: what's next?

Of course, you must register this.

This is not as difficult as it might seem. First of all, remember the timing! You must report the purchase of a used vehicle to the communications department you report to within 30 days of the date you sign the contract. If you do not do this, the office may fine you PLN 1000.

Corresponding documents are required to register a car. It's about:

• registration application,
• a valid registration certificate (with a valid technical inspection),
• proof of ownership (invoice or sales contract),
• car card (if any),
• current license plates (if you want to change them),
• your identity document,
• valid insurance policy.

What after buying a used car from abroad?

In the case of a car from abroad, the process is not much different from the one you just read about. The main change is that all documents (except for registration documents) must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator.

As you will see, the list of documents is almost the same, because you will need:

• registration application,
• proof of ownership,
• registration certificate,
• certificates of exemption from excise duty,
• a certificate of a positive result of technical expertise (can also be included in the registration certificate),
• license plates (if the car has been registered).

The last straight line is tax

The purchase of a used vehicle under a sales contract is subject to Civil Transactions Tax (PCC-3). It is 2% and is charged from the price specified in the contract. Note, however, that a government official may question this amount. This most often happens when someone buys a relatively new car and the contract says a ridiculously low amount.

You have 14 days to pay tax from the date of signing the contract. If you do not do this, you run the risk of receiving a fine ranging from several hundred to tens of thousands of zlotys.

You have three options for delivering your PCC-3 fingerprint to your office:

• personally,
• traditional route (post office),
• electronically (by e-mail).

Remember, if you are buying a car from a car dealership, a VAT invoice will help you avoid paying tax.

Buying a used car - summary

As you can see, buying a used car from a car dealership or from a private person is a bit tricky unless you want someone to sell you a ticking bomb. However, with good preparation and patience, you probably won't have a problem finding your dream car.

After all, there are so many offers on the market that no one will complain about the limited choice (unless they are looking for a rare model).

Do not be fooled by offers to praise the car to the skies, take care of your rights and everything will be fine. Remember that you will (probably) be spending a lot of time in the purchased vehicle, so take your time and double-check if it suits your requirements.