It's not every day you buy a used car so protect yourself

Here are two ways of protecting your investment and your best interests:

ONE: Get the car checked thoroughly by an expert before you buy. Small problems, or wear and tear below the 'skin', can easily become big problems which can cost a lot of money to fix. A pre-purchase inspection is a small investment for peace of mind.

TWO: Buy from a Licensed Motor Car Trader, an LMCT. LMCTs are obliged buy law to guarantee clear title on every car they sell. That means, if the car is found to have been stolen, or rebirthed, or has a security registered against it by a finance company, the LMCT must 'make good' the tile or, if this cannot be done, provide a full refund. They must also provide a three day cooling off period (in case you change your mind), and a three month or 5000kms statutory warranty for cars built less than 10 years ago which have also travelled less than 160,000kms.

When you buy privately, you have none of these protections. And if you buy trouble, you are on your own. For better protection, buy from a VACC LMCT Accredited Used Car Dealer.