Navigating the Used Car Market

Navigating the used car market can be difficult. There are all manner of things to consider, from a vehicle’s history to the type of fuel it uses and how much it’ll cost to run. If you’re shopping for a used vehicle, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, but fortunately, we’re here to make things as easy as possible.

At Eden, we stock the very best that the used car market has to offer, with thousands of hand-picked models to check out on our website. But to give you the tools to find the right car for you, we’ve got some of the key tips and tricks to remember when you’re looking for your next used vehicle.

Get in touch with our team at Eden Motor Group to learn more about our range of used cars.

Set a Budget

Before you start browsing, setting a budget is the best place to start. Establishing a budget can help take away some heartache further down the line, ensuring that you know exactly where you are before you even take your first step into the used car market.

Don’t just take into account the car’s price, either. It’s worth bundling up the cost of tax, insurance and regular repairs into one sum so you’ve got a rounded idea of how much it’ll cost. If you’re unsure of the cost of tax or repairs, then you can speak to one of our helpful team members today to find out more.

Consider What Type of Driving You’re Doing

After you’ve set your budget, then try to focus on the type of driving you’re doing most often. By going down this route, you can more accurately find a car which best suits your needs and avoid finding a vehicle which isn’t quite right for your style of driving.

For instance, if you live in the city and have limited space to park in, then a large SUV might not be the best idea. Likewise, if you’re often venturing off the main road and into tricky conditions, then a car with four-wheel drive will be a must. Fortunately, we stock a wide variety of vehicles that can fit the bill for all types of driving styles.

How to Pay

While you’ve got a budget in mind, it could be a good idea to think about how you’re going to pay for the vehicle. At Eden, we offer Hire Purchase options on our used vehicles, giving you the option to spread the total cost of the vehicle over smaller monthly payments with an initial deposit taken to begin with. Once you’ve finished your term - and paid all of the instalments, you’ll own the vehicle outright and no longer have to make any payments.

There’s also the option of Personal Contract Purchase, or PCP, for select used vehicles. Unlike Hire Purchase, PCP brings with it smaller monthly payments and often a smaller deposit too, but the difference is that you won’t own the car outright at the end - you can hand the car back to Eden and start a new contract with a different vehicle. However, if you like the vehicle, you can choose to pay off the outstanding balance to own the vehicle outright.

Of course, you’re free to pay for the vehicle with cash so that it’s yours from the moment you drive it away.

Check a Car’s History

A car’s history gives a snapshot of how it has been treated along the course of its life. Here at Eden, we display clearly how many previous owners a car has had, alongside its current mileage. If buying privately, you’ll often need to conduct your own background search of a car to make sure that it has a clear past, but at Eden, we conduct a full HPI check to ensure that any vehicle has no outstanding finance or other issues behind it.

Plus, all cars get a comprehensive multipoint check and service to make sure that they’re fit and fresh. Each car comes with a minimum of three months of unlimited mileage warranty, too, as well as at least six months of MOT and a year’s breakdown cover.

The Test Drive

Contact our team on our website and secure a test drive of any vehicle you see available. It’s your opportunity to see how you get on with the way a car drives, allowing you to check out aspects such as the steering, brakes and on-board technology.

It’s worth thinking about how any car you’re test-driving could work on your day-to-day routes. Why not try parking it, or navigating some tighter roundabouts, as the responsiveness and size of this new car might be different to the one you’re used to.

Drive Home

So you’ve sourced your ideal model from the UK’s used car market and now it’s time to head home. Remember, you’ll need your insurance in place before you get behind the wheel and it’s worth getting yourself set up and comfortable behind the wheel, too. Find out more by visiting our website.

Eden has an extensive range of used vehicles to browse from via its website and if you speak to one of our helpful team, you can organise a viewing or even book a test drive - so head on over today to find out more.