tips on buying a car Page 4

Set a budget that includes on-road costs—stamp duty, rego, insurance—and get finance pre-approval so you’re not negotiating with your wallet tied in a knot.

Check the PPSR for finance/write-off history, demand a full service record, and always inspect/drive the car stone-cold to catch noises that warm engines politely hide.

Bring a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection; it’s cheaper than inheriting someone else’s rattles and regrets.

Price-check comparable listings, then negotiate like a calm koala: slow, persistent, and not easily bullied.

Confirm warranty coverage, recall status, spare key, and that all safety kit actually works—because “blinking airbag light” is not a Christmas decoration.

If you’re unsure, walk away; there’s always another car, and sometimes it even comes in a colour you can live with.