The easiest way to buy a used car is to use cash. By buying a used car for cash you don't have to worry about taking out a loan and then paying the monthly installments. Also, this gives you more negotiating power with the seller, because you can pay for the vehicle in one go.
Steps
Step 1. Determine the year, make and model of the car you want to buy
Before making your final decision, search the internet for some car reviews.
It is also useful to check the website of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to see if the car you are interested in buying has suffered any recalls
Step 2. Check the value of the car in publications such as Quattroruote or alVolante (Eurotax quotes), to determine the correct price of the car you would like to buy
Second hand lists often distinguish the prices for those who sell to a dealer and for those who buy from a dealer.
Step 3. Choose whether to buy the car from a private individual or from a dealer
While you can save money by buying from a private individual, the cars sold by a dealer are guaranteed and are often certified in terms of mileage and / or maintenance performed.
Step 4. See the car at the seller
Don't tell the seller how much you would like to spend on the vehicle. Just ask for a test drive and do a visual inspection of the interior and exterior.
Step 5. Ask the seller if you can have the car inspected by your mechanic
If the seller says no, the car probably has a hidden problem. Look for other used cars if your mechanic finds problems with the vehicle.
Step 6. Negotiate the price with the seller and buy the used car
Ask the seller to get you the best price he can sell you the car for. If the price is higher than the quotation value you found, inform the seller that you will not pay a cent more than that amount.
Private sellers expect to earn the car's value, so they won't fall below valuation. Instead, you can have some negotiating leeway with dealers, because they prefer cash and can drop below the listing value as they earn on sales volume
Step 7. Complete the purchase
For the transfer of ownership, the seller must sign the sales declaration on the back of the ownership certificate with an authenticated signature. If the car is being sold by a dealer, you are likely to be made to sign a contract. If you are a private individual and you buy from a dealer, the guarantee does not need to be indicated in the contract, because it operates automatically if you are a consumer. In other cases, the guarantee must be put in writing.
Step 8. Get a receipt
The receipt will show that you paid for the used car in cash and must contain the signature of the seller from whom you bought the vehicle. But be careful: if the price exceeds one thousand euros you must pay with a traceable means of payment (check, bank transfer, credit card, etc.). If you buy the car from a dealer, the same will have to issue an invoice, which will have to be receipted for the purpose of proof of payment.
Step 9. Receive the documents and make the transfer to the PRA
If you buy the car from a dealer, the same will usually do the bureaucratic part.
