Are you one of the many individuals interested in second hand cars for sale in South Africa? If so, you are probably feeling less than prepared to deal with the notoriously wily second-hand car dealers out there. This is why we have decided to put together a list of purchasing guidelines that will make your purchasing experience less harrowing.

Investing in second-hand cars for sale in Cape Town and elsewhere in South Africa has the potential to be a very fruitful venture if you take the time beforehand to do your homework and consider your options properly. The following tips should also come in handy:

1. Be a pain: It is our instinct as South Africans to accommodate everyone we come across and not to cause needless hassle. Well, this is one of those times that you will have to be a pain and insist on seeing all of the car’s paperwork. You should then take the time to go through the service record with a fine-toothed comb.

2. Keep your eyes peeled: Check every inch on the vehicle. It is also recommended that you hire an impartial professional to do an independent mechanical check.

3. Go for a ride: Test-driving the vehicle is imperative – ideally you should be able to take it out of town to test its long road capabilities as well.

4. Stick to your budget: Before you even set out to look at second-hand cars for sale in South Africa, draw up your budget. Then stick to it.

5. Don’t fall for it: The used car salesman is a businessman; he is not your buddy. Do not fall for smooth talking, stick to the business at hand.

6. Negotiate: You should at the very least attempt to bargain for a lower selling price.

7. Be completely happy: Do not even think of buying a car that you are not completely happy with. Once you leave the sales grounds, every quirk that car has becomes your problem.

8. Take your time: It is not advisable to buy the first car for sale in Cape Town that you lay eyes on. The process is tedious yes, but shopping around will give you a better idea of what is out there and prevents you from spending your hard-earned money on a vehicle that will leave you in the lurch.

9. Team up: If you are clueless when it comes to the inner workings of a motor car and have no idea what to look for when it comes to service records and the like, it would be best to take someone along who actually has a clue. This could be your father, a friend or a professional – whoever you know that has an educated opinion and can safeguard you against glib sales personnel that will smell your ignorance a mile away.

Buying a new car should be a pleasant experience. By sticking to these basic guidelines and following your gut (never ever silence a niggling little voice or ignore internal alarm bells) you can ensure that you spend your money wisely. In these trying economic times, none of us can afford to buy a pig in a poke, therefore it only makes sense to take your time and do your homework before investing in second-hand cars for sale in South Africa.