Looking for a new vehicle to replace your old one is sometimes a fun and stressful experience; Not only is it necessary to search through hundreds of listings to find a car that fits all your criteria, but it’s also important to make sure you’re getting a good deal in terms of price from a reputable and trustworthy dealer.
Another factor to consider is how far you live from the dealership or private seller, as this can make a world of difference in terms of time and money spent on the whole endeavor. So exactly how far should you be willing to travel to buy the used car of your dreams?
The first thing to remember is that some vehicles may be worth traveling for. This is especially the case if you are looking for a specific make or model of vehicle that would otherwise be difficult to find in your region or even the entire country. .
An example of this would be if you are looking for a right hand drive car for your regular trips to Europe, or a certain MG model that is no longer in production. For rarer vehicles, it may be necessary to travel to find the car that ticks all your boxes.
It may not be worth traveling that far for other vehicles. Vehicles that are extremely common in the UK, such as Vauxhall Corsas, VW Polos and Renault Meganes, should be available in sufficient quantity wherever you live in the UK. It’s worth contacting car dealerships in your area first if you’re interested in a popular vehicle like the ones listed.
In addition to the fact that the vehicle you are looking for is rare, there are several other reasons why you might be willing to travel to pick up the car, including the fact that the vehicle is in exceptionally immaculate condition. A low price, however, should not be one of those reasons.
One thing that many people may overlook is the fact that a very low price can be an indicator that the car being sold is not in the best possible condition. Although photos of the vehicle on dealer car sales pages may look impressive, it’s important to ask yourself why a car commands a lower or higher price than average for that specific make and model.
Take the time to thoroughly examine each vehicle as much as you can before you make the trip to see it “in person.” Explain to the dealer that you’re planning to travel far and would like some additional photos, or ask them to provide full service history details; this can help you better understand the price of the vehicle.
After you’ve asked all the questions you need over the phone or by email and you’re satisfied with everything you’ve heard and seen so far, consider taking a chance on a trip to view the vehicle. Be aware, however, that the car may not be as good as you expected when you get there, and in all cases, don’t feel pressured to drive away with the car just because of the effort you’ve put in.
Some of the better dealerships will offer to pick it up and transport it to their facility. Companies that do this can make your life much easier and less expensive, but again, don’t feel obligated to accept an offer just because they have made an effort to get you to come to them.