Buying a car in 2024: What to consider? Tips & Checklist

Considerations before buying a car

A great model in top condition and at a good price: this is what a successful car purchase looks like. Until then, there are a few things to consider. In the first step, every prospective buyer should honestly check his finances. In addition to the purchase price, the following maintenance costs are incurred for a car:

• Insurance,
• Taxes,
• Fuel
• Care
• Workshop costs

As soon as it is clear how much money you can spend on your car, the question of financing arises: cash purchase, leasing or purchase in installments? Inform yourself thoroughly about these questions when buying a car, because each variant has its advantages and disadvantages.

In the next step, you check your own requirements:

• Which brands are eligible?
• What equipment do you need or want?
• Should it be a small car, a sedan or a station wagon?

The type of drive also plays an important role. When making your choice, please note the funding opportunities for environmentally friendly drive types. Thanks to government subsidies, you can currently save a lot of money on new or young used e-cars and plug-in hybrids. Once all these points have been clarified, the search for the right model begins.

Where is the best place to buy a car?

There are basically two points of contact for buying a car: dealers and private individuals. Dealers are legally obliged to provide a warranty on the vehicle – this is an advantage if defects in the vehicle become apparent shortly after purchase. Used car dealers can shorten the statutory liability for material defects to one year, but not completely exclude it. Some dealers also give additional guarantees.

Attention: Some used car dealers try to circumvent the liability for material defects - by selling the car "on behalf of the previous owner". In this case, the dealer must be able to present a written declaration of consent from the previous owner. If this is missing, it is better to refrain from buying. Additions such as "for export" or "for tradespeople" are dubious.

Car dealers also often offer to trade in the old car: This is practical and easy on the wallet. Nevertheless, buyers must expect to pay more at the dealer than if they were buying privately. This is because the dealer provides numerous services for the seller and passes on the costs to the buyer. Buying a car from a private person is therefore usually cheaper. It is also associated with more effort and a higher risk. This is because private sellers are allowed to exclude the warranty in the contract.

How does a car purchase work?

A car purchase usually takes place in six steps:

• Sightseeing
• Test drive
• Review of comparison offers
• Financing
• Price negotiation
• Signature

If you want to buy a car, you first register your interest with the seller by phone or e-mail. Make sure that both take place during the day and in dry weather. Because only in daylight can even minor damage to the paintwork be detected. Take a printed test drive contract with you and have the seller fill it out and sign it. It is important that an insurance confirmation and the amount of the deductible are noted. This protects you in case you cause an accident during the test drive. Before the test drive, also check the car for visible defects and record them in writing. This protects you from possible claims after the ride. Also important: Check all vehicle documents for completeness and correctness.

A car-loving passenger is worth its weight in gold during a test drive. He gives important feedback and notes everything he notices while driving – such as background noise, problems with the steering or defective flaps. Note: A meaningful test drive takes at least 45 minutes and leads through the city as well as on country roads and highways. This is the only way you can test the vehicle at different speeds. Accelerating, braking hard, cornering – all this is part of a successful test drive. Also ride on broken roads or cobblestones. Rattling or rumbling can provide indications of damage to the chassis. Tip: Lower the side windows, turn off the ventilation and radio. This way you can hear faster when something is wrong.

The test drive and the inspection went satisfactorily? That's a good thing. Nevertheless, don't get carried away with signing a car purchase contract prematurely. You should look at other offers for the same model for comparison. This way you can be sure that the price for your dream car is really justified. Before you make a final decision, clarify the financing conditions. Also ask the dealer about possible discounts. During the price negotiation itself, you remain firm but friendly – you can find more tips on this at mobile.de. Finally, it is time to sign the contract. Our tip: When buying privately, use the model purchase contract for passenger cars from mobile.de.

The most important tips for buying a car

Most dealers and private sellers are reputable. A trustworthy dealer must provide information about accidents – with the exception of minor damage – and repairs to the car carried out by the dealer without being asked. It's different with private individuals. They only have to explain accidents when asked. Car sellers like to advertise "accident-free" vehicles. Find out in advance what "accident-free" means and how you can recognize repaired paint or sheet metal damage.

It is helpful if you are able to recognize manipulations of the vehicle yourself. This is how you can protect yourself from fraud attempts. The TÜV points out, for example, that the speedometer of every third used car is manipulated. Find out how to recognize speedometer manipulation. If a seller advertises with the keyword "checkbook maintained", this means that the previous owner has carried out all maintenance and inspections prescribed by the manufacturer without gaps.

Check if this is the case. If the actual condition of the vehicle does not correspond to the documented checkbook maintenance, there is a material defect. The dealer's legal warranty obligation then applies. This means that the retailer must remedy the defect. Important: To do this, you must report the defect in good time, i.e. within one year. After six months, however, you must prove the material defect yourself.

What to look out for when buying a car? With our tips for buying a car, you are safe from unpleasant surprises.

Before the test drive

• It's better not to buy a car that you haven't personally test driven.
• Never sign documents before the viewing and do not make any verbal or written assurances – not even by e-mail or on the phone.
• Ask to be shown all vehicle documents, such as the registration certificate part 1 and registration certificate part 2, all invoices, receipts and technical inspection protocols.

During the inspection

• Inspect the car in the best conditions, i.e. during the day and in good weather.
• Always take someone with you to the appointment. If in doubt, hire a professional who will take a close look at the car, for example from the ADAC.
• Check the information in the purchase contract: the owner and seller should be identical. If this is not the case, ask the seller to show you a power of attorney.
• Be alert in case the salesperson tries to distract you when checking the vehicle.
• "That's always the case with the model": Don't just accept such general statements.
• "I have other interested parties, you have to decide quickly." If the salesperson tries to put you under pressure in this way, you should break off the conversation.

When signing the contract

• Have all verbal assurances (such as mileage or accident-free) recorded in writing in the purchase contract.
• Ask to be shown the seller's ID card and write down the number in the sales contract.
• Take a witness with you to deliver the car.
• Don't get involved in a meeting at a dark rest stop or in lonely places.
• When handing it over, make sure that it is actually the car you saw in the ad and test driven.

Ticked off: Our checklist for buying a car

If you can answer "yes" to the following questions when buying a car, your dream car is in good, well-maintained condition. Our tip: Print out the checklist for buying a car and take it with you to the viewing appointment.

Documents and vehicle documents

• Are the vehicle documents complete?
• Is there a small number of previous owners in the registration certificate part 2? (Ask many previous owners or short owners for reasons.)
• Have all recommended service intervals been met?
• Can the seller prove maintenance?
• Is there a valid TÜV sticker?
• Does the VIN number match the information in the documents?

Visual inspection outside

• Are there no scratches or dents, dull spots, color differences or paint splashes to be seen? (Indications of accident damage)
• Is the tire tread deep enough? (Summer tyres: at least 3 millimetres, winter tyres: at least 4 millimetres)
• Do the headlights and lights work properly?
• Are the windshield wipers intact?
• Are the wheel arches without rust?
• Are the rubber seals in order?
• Are the brake discs free of rust and moisture?
• Are the undersides of the doors and tailgate rust-free?
• Is the windshield free of scratches, cracks and stone chips?
• Is the exhaust intact and doesn't make any strange noises when the engine is running?

Engine

• Are there no signs of oil leakage?
• Are the seals intact?
• Is the level of oil, brake fluid and coolant correct?
• For electric cars: Is the high-voltage cable okay?
• Are there no rusty spots to be seen?

View under the car

• Are the rubber boots of the steering and drive shaft in order?
• Are there no rusty or repaired areas?
• Is there no visible oil loss from the engine, transmission and shock absorbers?
• Are the suspension and chassis undamaged?
• Is the fuel and brake system free of moisture?

Interior

• Are the floor coverings dry?
• Is there no musty smell perceptible? (Note on leaks in the body)
• Do ventilation and heating work?
• Does the condition of the seats and steering wheel match the speedometer reading?
• Does the odometer reading match the overall impression of the car and the information on oil change trailers?
• Are the gaps in doors, hoods and flaps uniform? (Large distances between individual components indicate an accident.)
• Do the screws on the doors, bonnet and fenders look neither worn nor too new? (Note on repair after an accident)
• Does the date of manufacture on the windows match the date in the first registration?
• Can the mirrors be adjusted without any problems?
• Can the windows be opened and closed?
• Do the belts roll up correctly?

Comfort

• Are the control panels easily accessible?
• Is there enough space?
• Can the car be manoeuvred well?
• Is the trunk large enough?
• Does the car fit in the underground car park?

Surrender

• Is the purchase contract complete, are all the contents discussed included?
• Have the keys been handed over?
• Are all papers complete? (Registration Certificate Part I, Registration Certificate Part II, CoC Papers, Manual. If applicable: checkbook, last HU certificates, maintenance and repair invoices, general operating permit. If relevant: ABE + building permit for add-on parts)
• Is the vehicle in the agreed condition?
• Are there a spare wheel, jack, warning triangle and first aid kit?

You now know what to consider when buying a car. Once all questions about buying a car have been clarified to your satisfaction, nothing stands in the way of signing the contract. We wish you a lot of fun with your new car and a good journey at all times!

source : Buying a car: What do you need to consider in 2024? | mobile.de