What steps should be followed to successfully buy a used car?
Identify your needs
Take some time to decide which model you're looking for. Do you need 5 or 7 seats? Is it a family car or a second car? Can you reduce your carbon footprint by buying an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle?
Compare several cars: don't focus on just one.
When you start looking for a used car, it's likely because it belongs to an acquaintance, friend, or family member who wants to sell it. You might also find one you particularly like on a used car advertising platform. Second-hand cars are also available at first glance, but again, the reason for their use is important.
Request a report from the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic)
Even if your trusted mechanic tells you the car is in good condition, and even if you've asked the seller plenty of questions, any used car buyer must complete a key procedure: the DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority) vehicle report. You can only obtain the car's registration information online. This program allows you to access a wide range of official data specific to used cars, such as the complete maintenance history, number of owners, vehicle mileage within its lifespan, whether all required documents are in order, and, for example, if there are any legal obstacles preventing the sale of the car or changing the vehicle's registration.
You need to know how to negotiate with the seller
Once you confirm the purchase, you'll need to negotiate with the seller. The first thing to know is that the advertised price in vehicle sales is usually a bit higher than the price the seller actually wants. This is because the seller knows you'll try to negotiate a discount. Take advantage of any previous defects and let them be used as leverage in the price negotiations.
Change the vehicle name
One of the biggest problems used car buyers often face is at the end of the process: changing the vehicle's ownership. Changing the car's name in person at the traffic department means waiting, wasting time, and in many cases, having to return due to missing documents or unmet requirements.
