Buying a Used BMW in Cornwall: Your Complete Guide

Buying a used car from a dealer or a private party isn’t always easy. So here is our advice and tips on how to buy your dream used car.

Buying a BMW used cars in UK, whether from a private seller, a dealer, or online, comes with a certain amount of risk. But if you do your research, find out what your rights are as a buyer, and know what to look for, you could save a lot of money and avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. Follow this guide and use our used car checklist, and you’ll have peace of mind and a great deal on your new pride and joy.

When looking for a used car, most people aim for the “sweet spot,” which is when a car is three years old. This is because most new cars are bought with financing or through company fleet leases that last about 36 months. After that, they are returned to the dealer or sold at auction, and most end up on the used car market.

At three years old, a car should cost about half as much as it did when it was new, depending on its model and mileage, but it should still have a lot of life left in it. It’s a generalization, but data from warranty providers also shows that a car’s reliability tends to go down after 5 years, so that’s a good time to sell your used car and look for a new one.

There are still plenty of good cars that are 5 or more years old, but keep in mind that they may cost more to run and need more repairs than newer models.

Tips for Buying a Used Car: The Basics

When you’re in Cornwall and want to buy a used BMW in TYRCars.co.uk, there are different hurdles to get over than when you’re buying a new BMW, but it’s just as important to get these right. Here are some general things to think about when choosing and checking that second-hand motor…

1. Put your finances in order first

Buying a car is a big investment, so the first thing you’ll need to do is figure out your budget and stick to it. If you need to, find out the best way to pay for your car, whether it’s with a personal loan, vehicle financing, or just straight cash. Figure out how much you can put down as a deposit, and then figure out the monthly payments you can afford. Do this, and you won’t look confused when the salesperson asks, “How much do you have to spend each month?”

2. Keep an eye on the prices of used cars on the market

If you’re looking for a used car, looking at different websites on the internet is a great way to see what’s available and what you can afford. You’ll get a good idea of whether you’re paying too much, and with so many options, you don’t have to buy a BMW car if you don’t think it’s the right one for you. If you’re looking at popular models, there will always be plenty of options if the price isn’t right.

3. Check all paperwork carefully

There’s no point in putting any value on the stack of papers that come with a used car if you’re not ready to check them out. If you’re in Bude or Cornwall, UK, and you’re buying a used BMW from a private person instead of a dealer, make sure the listed keeper is selling the car from the address listed on the V5C logbook. Then, compare the registration and chassis numbers on the logbook with those on the car.

After that, you can start looking for discrepancies in the service record, see if the cambelt needs to be replaced (which can be an expensive job on some cars), and check sales receipts that prove ownership and the end of any finance agreements. An HPI check will also help find any outstanding debt or hidden history.

4. Carefully check the car in daylight and good weather

Rain on the paint can hide a lot of sins, as can streetlamps or torches, so try to look at cars when the weather is good, and definitely check them out in daylight. Take your time to look at every panel and all the trim surfaces inside. Older cars are bound to have a few scratches, so it’s more important to make sure that all the switches and accessories work. Do all of the electric windows open at the same speed, and does the air conditioning blow cold?

5. Give it a thorough test drive

It’s important to make sure that the car drives and handles correctly and does what you expect it to do. Does the car start up easily? Are there any strange sounds coming from the engine or brakes? Does the steering turn to one side? Is there any smoke coming from the exhaust? Make sure you have insurance in place before you go on a test drive.

6. Is everything here?

Check under the trunk floor to see if there is a spare wheel and/or a repair kit, the original jack and tools, and locking alloy wheel nuts. Also, check the glovebox for the vehicle’s manual and ask the owner if there are any spare keys. Some cars also need sat nav discs or SD cards. If any of these are missing, it could cause a lot of trouble, and they’re all expensive to replace.

7. Finalizing the deal

When you’ve agreed on a price and are going to buy a BMW, make sure that all the terms are written down and that both parties can sign and keep a copy. It should have information about the vehicle, the price, the terms of the sale, and both the seller’s and buyer’s name and address.

8. Buying the car

If you’re buying from a reputable BMW dealer, this shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s worth repeating the obvious advice about how to pay for a car you’re buying privately. Be careful about taking out large sums of money to pay for a car. If it’s possible, use a money transfer. Never bring cash to a meeting place that isn’t the seller’s home address.