Used Land Rover Buyer's Guide

Purchasing a used Land Rover requires a lot of forethought. You'll have to check the interior of the vehicle, the exterior, check under the bonnet for damaged or worn car parts, and you'll have to go for a test drive and evaluate how the car functions. If, in the end, however, you decide it's the car for you, there are additional steps you'll need to take to get the best price and be able to drive your Land Rover away.

 

Haggling Over the Price of a Used Land Rover

 Individuals and dealerships who sell used cars expect buyers to haggle a little bit over the price. The problem is, not everyone knows how to do it properly.

 

Use Knowledge as Your Power

• Check to see how much the car is worth before you make any type of offer. An easy way to do this is by going online to a reputable site, like What Car? You can then print off the valuation and show it to the seller if they are asking too much.

 

• Have the history of the car checked. There are several reputable sites that will do this for you at a small cost, and many insurance companies will provide this information as well. You'll be able to see if the car has been in an accident in the past, was stolen, or has any outstanding finance that will be transferred to you upon a sale. These problems can make the purchase riskier for you.

 

• When you were inspecting the vehicle and test driving it, you should have taken note of any problematic Land Rover parts that might need to be repaired or replaced. Before you offer the seller any money, find out how much these repairs will cost you. You can speak to your mechanic, and you can also visit GSF Car Parts to determine what the cost of the car parts will be.

 

• Determine if all of the documents that should be with the car are actually available to you. Incomplete and missing documents can make the history of the Land Rover less certain.

 

• Ask if any modifications were made to the Land Rover and how they were made. Modifications there were not carried out to a high standard can affect the value of the Land Rover. Some modifications, no matter how high quality, will devalue the car as well.

 

• If you're purchasing the Land Rover from a used car dealership, look around to see what discounts or special offers are available elsewhere. Then, ask the dealership to match those discounts.

 

Haggling for the Used Land Rover

 Haggling for a used car is difficult for some individuals. In the end, a successful haggle means that the seller and the buyer are both able to walk away thinking they struck a great deal. So, how do you haggle?

 

• Know how much you want to pay for the car and stick to it.

 

• Figure out first how much replacement Land Rover parts will cost and subtract that amount from the price you offer.

 

• Start the bid low and let the seller work his way up to an acceptable price- the middle ground. Remember, if you begin the bid too high, there's no going back.

 

• Stay calm throughout the entire process. Never become confrontational.

 

• If the deal doesn't seem to be working, don't worry. There are always other cars to buy. The seller may also call you later to accept your price if they can't get anything better.

 

• Haggling isn't always about cost. You can compromise for a tank of fuel or even ask the seller to replace the damaged car parts.

 

PaperWork

 Every car you purchase should have documents that outline its roadworthiness, history, and ownership. These documents are essential to transferring the car into your name.

 

• V5C Registration Certificate- This is more commonly called the vehicle logbook; it will be issued to anyone who has registered or taxed the car. It will offer many details about the Land Rover, such as the VIN and service history. Be sure to check to make sure all of these details match the Land Rover you are purchasing. Once you've bought the Land Rover, certain parts of the logbook will need to be sent to the DVLA. You'll retain the parts that are for the “new keeper.” This will be your proof of ownership until a new document is sent to you through the mail.

 

• Service History- A service booklet is provided with new cars and needs to be dated and stamped whenever the car is taken in to be serviced. You should receive this booklet when the Land Rover is sold to you. Sometimes, though, these booklets get lost; you can order a new one from a local main dealer and it should provide you with information on when the car was serviced by any dealer in the UK. If the booklet is given to you, see if you can obtain receipts as well. Dealer stamps can be forged, so the receipts will offer better authenticity. Take a look at the booklet before purchasing the Land Rover. It should indicate that the car has received scheduled maintenance on a regular basis.

 

• MOT Certificates- Every car that is three years old or older has to go through a yearly MOT. Prior to April 2005, MOT certificates were handwritten, but they are now printed out in order to reduce fraud. All computerised MOTs can be check for authenticity by going online to http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECSID-Internet-Status-Request.jsp. Keep in mind that a current MOT only guarantees that the car is roadworthy at the time it was tested. You should always thoroughly check the Land Rover to make sure it is ready for the road.

 

• Receipt- When you purchase your Land Rover, make sure the seller offers you a receipt that includes the make and model, registration and VIN, mileage of the Land Rover, and a written statement stating the amount of cash received for the vehicle. It should be signed and dated by both you and the seller, and you should both receive copies.

 

Are you ready to purchase a used Land Rover? Make sure you check for worn or damaged car parts, evaluate the paperwork thoroughly, and haggle for the best price possible.