There is always an element of risk when buying a used car, as you won’t know if everything is really in full working order until you’ve owned it for a while. As much as you can get from looking it over and taking for a test drive, if there’s something wrong with the engine, you’re unlikely to detect it until later. Many advancements in technology have made the process somewhat safer though, with greater transparency and tools at our fingertips.
Online Reviews
The internet has been the main driving force behind changing the way people buy cars. No longer do we scour listings in the local paper or head straight down to a dealership, instead most car buyers will go online for inspiration. There are many resources for reading reviews of both new and used cars to get a good idea of the best options.
Not only that, but when buying a second-hand car, it’s often possible to find out information about the seller as well. This can help put more confidence in who the car is being bought from or highlight any worries that may exist and warn you off, if other buyers have left feedback online.
HPI Checks
HPI checks have been around for 80 years, providing information about a car’s history. Now though it’s possible to apply for and undertake an HPI MOT history check online by just entering the registration number, to find out all the information you need about the MOT history of a second-hand vehicle, this also works with all cars sold with personalised registration plate.
Technology allows the process to gather information from a range of sources and compile this online. This can highlight an advisory or previous refusal notes, the current MOT status and more, which can be checked against what the seller claims to get a sense of whether they and the car are trustworthy.
Compare Car Information
With all the data you need to make an informed decision about buying a used car or not provided online, it’s more convenient than ever. The likes of comparison sites have made finding the best insurance deals easy, while checking vehicle tax bands and more can be done through all sorts of apps if you’d rather do research from your phone.
Greater transparency means you should know exactly what you’re getting from the second-hand car you choose. As technology continues to advance there could be many ways that buying and researching a used car becomes even safer in the coming years.
