Buying Tips
Do I buy from a Dealer or Private? There are pros and cons to both of these parties. Dealers offer you peace of mind vehicle buying. With franchised dealers like Reeds, you are protected by, in GM’s case the G2 Certified Pre-owned System. This programme assures that you get a top quality vehicle. Buying from a private individual can be problematic as a private seller will not always disclose hidden defects in the vehicle and it is advisable that you take the vehicle for an AA test. This test is costly and will be for your pocket, but will give you more peace of mind when buying a pre-owned vehicle.
Make sure that the vehicle is purchased from a reputable dealer. Most franchised dealers have quality control programs in place that assure that the vehicle you buy is in top condition. Most franchised dealers have a stringent quality check program in place, which gives you the peace of mind when investing in a new car.
Budget Always have a budget when buying a new or pre-owned car and try to stick to the budget. It’s never a good idea to have a vehicle reposessed.
Test Drive Always test drive the vehicle where possible before signing on the dotted line.
Inspect Please ask to see the vehicles service history to make sure that the vehicle has a full service history as advertised.
Do I have any recourse when buying a privately owned vehicle and you experience problems with the vehicle? You will inevitably struggle to return a vehicle or get it repaired by the previous owner if you bought privately. With Reeds and other franchised dealers, you have a certain level of recourse if something goes wrong. You can contact the Dealer Principal of the Dealership or if he can’t assist you, contact the Directors of Reeds Motor Group.
Make sure that the vehicle is accident free. This might be difficult when buying privately, but the AA test can assist to determine if the vehicle is accident free.
Finance & admin during private deals. If you buy privately, you will have to arrange your own finance as well as make sure that the vehicle is registered in your own name. This can be an inconvenience, which is always handled by the dealership if you purchase a vehicle from them.
Get the best advice Be rest assured that when you buy from Reeds or other franchised dealers, you will always get the best advice in terms of which vehicle to purchase and which finance option to select.
South Africa has no compulsory cover for vehicle damage. This means that some 70% of drivers are uninsured. Against this background, and keeping in mind the fact that repairs are very expensive in SA, it is advisable to obtain fully comprehensive insurance cover, or at least cover for Balance of Third Party, Fire and Theft. This is almost impossible to do without a permanent address in SA or without a local bank account. Being young also counts against you.
Finally Remember that dealers have a lot more to lose by providing poor service or advice than a private individual when selling a vehicle. Therefore we always adhere to a strict code of practice when selling any pre-owned vehicle to the public. Bad business is simply not to our benefit.
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Contact us now to find out more about new vehicles or speak to one of our agents about our selection of used cars on offer. See our contact details to get in touch.
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