Buying a Used BMW in Cornwall: A Complete Guide

Buying a used car from a dealer or a private seller isn’t always easy. So, here is our advice and guidance on how to buy your dream used car.

There is some risk involved in buying a BMW used cars for sale in Cornwall, whether it’s from a private seller, a dealer, or the Internet. But if you do your homework, find out what your rights are as a buyer, and know what to look for, you could save a lot of money and avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Follow this guide and use our used car checklist, and you’ll be able to feel confident and get a great deal on your new pride and joy.

When looking for a used car, most people try to find one that is three years old, which is considered the “sweet spot.” This is because most new cars are bought on financing plans or company fleet leases that last for about 36 months. After that, they are returned to the dealer or sold at auction, and most end up on the used car market.

At three years old, a car should cost about half as much as it did when it was new, depending on the model and the number of miles it has been driven, but it should still have a lot of life left in it. It’s a generalization, but data from warranty providers also shows that cars tend to lose their dependability after 5 years, so that’s a good time to sell your used car and look for a new one.

There are still plenty of good cars that are more than 5 years old, but keep in mind that they may cost more to run and need more repairs than newer models.

Advice for Buying a Used Car: The Basics

When you’re in Cornwall and want to buy a used BMW, there are different hurdles to jump over than when you’re buying a new BMW, but it’s just as important to get these right. Here are some general things to think about when choosing and checking that used motor…

1. Straighten out your finances first

Buying a car is a big investment, so the first thing you need to do is set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you need to, find the best way to pay for your car, whether it’s with a personal loan, vehicle financing, or cash. Figure out how much you can put down as a down payment, and then figure out the monthly payments you can afford. Do this, and you won’t look confused when the salesperson asks, “How much can you spend each month?”

2. Stay up to date on the prices of used cars on the market

If you’re looking for a used car, checking out different websites on the internet is a great way to see what’s available and what you can afford. You’ll get a good idea of whether you’re paying too much, and since there are so many options, you don’t have to buy a BMW car right away if you don’t think it’s the right one for you. If you’re looking at popular models, there will always be a lot of options if the price isn’t right.

3. Carefully check all papers

There’s no point in putting any value on the stack of papers that come with a used car if you’re not going to check them out. If you live in Bude or Cornwall, UK, and you want to buy a used BMW from an individual instead of a dealer, make sure the listed keeper is selling the car from the address listed on the V5C logbook. Then, compare the registration and chassis numbers on the logbook with those on the car.

After that, you can start looking for mistakes in the service record, see if the cambelt needs to be replaced (which can be an expensive job on some cars), and check sales receipts that prove ownership and the end of any finance agreements. An HPI check will also help find any outstanding debts or hidden information.

4. Carefully check the car during the day and when it’s not raining or snowing.

Rain on paint can hide a lot, as can streetlights or torches, so try to look at cars when it’s not raining and definitely check them in the daytime. Take your time to look at every panel and all the interior trim surfaces. Older cars are bound to have some scratches, so it’s more important to make sure all the switches and accessories work. Do all of the electric windows open at the same rate, and does the air conditioning blow cold?

5. Take a thorough test drive.

It’s important to make sure the car drives and handles correctly and does what you expect it to do. Can the car be started easily? Are the engine or brakes making any strange noises? Does the steering lean to one side? Does the exhaust smoke? Make sure you have insurance before taking a test drive.

6. Does everything seem to be there?

Check under the floor of the trunk to see if the spare wheel, repair kit, original jack, tools, and locking alloy wheel nuts are there. Also, check the glovebox for the owner’s manual and ask the owner if there are any extra keys. Some cars will also need satellite navigation discs or SD cards. If any of these is missing, it could cause a lot of trouble, and they’re all expensive to replace.

7. Finishing the deal

When you’ve decided on a price and are going to buy a BMW, make sure that all of the terms are written down and that both parties can sign and keep a copy. It should include information about the vehicle, the price, the terms of the sale, and the seller’s and buyer’s names and addresses.

Paying for the car.

If you’re buying from a reputable BMW dealer like TYR Cars (website), this shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s worth repeating the obvious advice about paying for a car in a private sale. Be careful about using a lot of money to buy a car. If you can, send money using a money transfer. Never bring cash to a place other than the seller’s home where you’re supposed to meet.