Buying A Used Saab

Saab are known to make some of the most reliable and stylish cars on the market. However, their high initial price can be off-putting to many buyers. For this reason, Saab cars are very sought-after on the second hand market and there are plenty of bargains to be found, providing you`re prepared to shop around. Here we provide 10 helpful tips for buying a used Saab.

Set a budget
It is very important that you work out how much you are prepared to pay for a car before you begin your search. If you are planning to buy the car outright then your budget is relatively obvious but calculating your maximum budget for monthly payments can be more difficult. When setting a budget you must take into account maintenance, running, servicing, tax and insurance costs.

Shop around
Generally, Saab cars tend to hold their value pretty well because of their reliability and their popularity within the secondhand market. However, if you shop around enough the bargains will be out there.

Do your research
If you decide that a Saab is the car for you then you will probably have a specific model in mind. Do your research into the insurance band and other running costs of that model before diving in ? there may be a better option for your particular needs.

Listen to advice
Recommendations from trustworthy people are priceless so do listen to advice. Try to talk to Saab owners about their cars and ask around to see if anyone can recommend a good car dealer in your area.

Take along a mechanic
Saabs are known for their reliability but it is still best to take someone with some mechanical expertise along when you view a car. An expert eye will help in identifying any faults with the car or any dishonesty on the part of the seller.

Ask for documentation
Be sure to ask for the logbook, service history and the current MOT certificate. If the service history is incomplete there may be some expensive jobs due soon so use this to get the price down.

Check the history
You can now check a car`s history by text, telephone or online. There is usually a small fee attached but it is money well spent. A history check will flag up any major accidents involving the vehicle, if it had been written off and whether there is any finance left to pay on it. A vehicle with outstanding finance technically belongs to the loan company and not to the vendor so they should not be selling it.

Negotiate
All vendors will build some `wriggle room` into their prices, allowing room for negotiation. When you make an offer, try to make it realistic to avoid causing offence. Most vendors will be happy to agree on a realistic price in the middle of your respective valuations.

Source your own finance
Finance arrangements offered by car dealers are usually less appealing then arrangements with independent finance providers. Many dealers will try to push their own finance on you but you`re under no obligation to accept it.

Valuation guides
Online valuation guides are a really useful tool for the prospective car buyer. They will quickly give you a ball park figure for the car you are considering which you can use a basis for negotiation. Many are free but some will provide more detailed reports for a fee.

Another good way to get an idea of how much you should be paying is to enter the car`s details into a site such as sellusedcar.net which will tell you how much a dealer would be prepared to pay.