by Marie Bywater

Created on: September 11, 2010

Are looking for a new car? Has your trusty Corsa given up the ghost and you cannot afford a brand new car? There are many hundreds of thousands of used cars on the market with 41 million used cars being bought each year in the US.  Before you purchase you should take into consideration the pros and cons of buying a used car.

There are many pros of buying a used car compared with a brand new car. Firstly a used car is much cheaper than its new counterpart.  A car is a depreciating asset so is most cases it is much wiser to buy second hand than brand new. You can save thousands of dollars by buying a used car as young as one year old. If you find the car you want but cannot afford it brand new then buying it used is a great opportunity to drive your dream car.

Some people prefer older models of cars which are no longer manufactured. Buying a used car gives you the opportunity to purchase older models no longer made.

However there are also many cons to buying a used car. Unlike a new car you cannot always get the color or particular model of car you want. This could mean you spend extra time searching for a suitable used car you like only to end up with something you are not keen on.

In the long run a used car may cost you more than a brand new car. If you buy a used car that has never ending problems and spends more time at the car garage than on the road you may wish you had bought brand new.  Before buying a used car read the car’s history including service history. It may also be a good idea to look for a used car that has not many miles on the dashboard.

A used car may also have paintwork scratches, rust and dents, making it not as easy on the eye. Make sure these scratches are factored into the price. If you are not happy with the appearance of the car then it may be best to look for another used car.

Finally used cars do not last as long as new cars. It is important to remember they have already spent some time on the road and could have clocked up tens of thousands of miles.  If you want a car to last for 8 years then it is probably better you buy a brand new car or a nearly new car as opposed to a five year old vehicle.

While you are browsing the car market take into consideration the pros and cons of buying a used car.  The main points above should help you make a decision as to whether you want a new or used car.

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