Checklist for car purchase : buy new or second-hand?

While the second-hand market may sometimes arouse suspicion and anxiety, one should still distinguish between buying from an individual and buying from a professional car dealer. Buying from an individual generally comes out cheaper, but you have to be careful and ideally know something about cars in order to make sure you’re not scammed.

You can also get a good deal with a second-hand car sold by a professional car dealer. The vehicles they sell undergo mechanical checks and generally come with a guarantee. In any case, going for the second-hand option enables you to move up in both range and equipment.

You will need all the documents necessary to conclude the sale, and they must be valid. If you are purchasing a car from an individual they are:

If you buy a second-hand car from a dealer, you will also get a guarantee of at least 12 months, as well as a billing document that enables identification of the vehicle (identification number, make and type, the sales price excluding VAT and including VAT), the seller and the buyer (full name, address and signature) and VAT-related data.

Then, check the car inside and outside. The vehicle must not have any visible defects, the headlights, tail lights and indicators must all be working. The bonnet, doors and boot should open and close normally. Also check that the windscreen and the rear window are intact and free from stone chips. It is better to check every detail, such as the tyre tread or if there is corrosion damage.

Now, if you prefer to avoid the headache and buy a new car in perfect condition and breathe that new car smell every kilometre, Autofestival offers special conditions on many car models. But don’t hesitate to negotiate a lower price or ask for a test drive!

Have you taken the plunge and bought the car of your choice? Congratulations! If it is a second-hand car previously registered in Luxembourg, you just need to contact the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA) to tell them whether or not you wish to take over the car’s current registration number. Then, you need to provide:

Buying a car is always a major financial expense. Therefore, Spuerkeess supports you in all your plans through the Prêt Plus loan, which can finance both your new car as well as other projects.