Buying a 2nd Hand Used Car - Hints + Advice Reading Answer

Mar 7, 2025

Buying a 2nd Hand Used Car - Hints + Advice is an IELTS Reading Answers which contains 7 questions and needs to be completed within 10 minutes. This reading answer also helps you to prepare for your IELTS exam. Buying a 2nd Hand Used Car - Hints + Advice consists of questions like: Which section mentions the following information? Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Participants should go through the IELTS Reading passage to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions. Also, Buying a 2nd Hand Used Car - Hints + Advice Reading Answers speaks about hints and advice which you should look after while buying a 2nd hand used car. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Topic:

Buying a 2nd Hand Used Car - Hints + Advice

Buying a car can be a stressful and expensive process. In order to help you, we have created these notes. Please be aware though that there is no mechanical advice here. There are different ways you can find a used car to buy: a dealer, online, a newspaper, an auction or a private person. Below is some advice about buying a car in different ways.

A. A Dealer: Buying from a dealer can be the safest way to buy a used car, but watch out for unscrupulous dealers! One way you can check a dealer's credentials is by seeing if they follow a code of practice. Nowadays you can also visit feedback and chat websites, where you may find comments about dealers, but friends and colleagues' suggestions is still a good way to find a good place. Check if the cars are inspected independently and ask for any inspection report. Watch out for any notices saying "as seen" or "no refunds". A reputable dealer should offer a warranty and guarantees.

B. Online: Online is probably the most simple way nowadays to buy a car. The danger of course is that you only see the pictures of the car before you buy it. It's often a good idea therefore to choose a car not too far from where you live and arrange a meeting to see, inspect and drive it before paying.

C. A Newspaper and/or a Private Sale from an Individual: Newspapers can be an advertising channel for dealers and individuals. Be careful of dealers pretending to be individuals, so that they can avoid legal restrictions! This can be avoided by looking at the log book. This should record all the owners. It's also important to check that you're not buying a stolen car. Ask the seller for the registration number, make and model and MOT test number. Then use the government's online vehicle enquiry service to check that the details you've been given match their records. Also, check that the vehicle's technical check is up to date and the technical check history matches the details you've been given. Finally, check that the vehicle identification number and engine number match the details that are in the log book.

D. An Auction: An auction can be an exciting place to buy a car and you can often pick up a great deal. Apart from the usual things to consider when buying a car, two things are important with auctions. Firstly, go to an auction as only an observer, so you can learn what happens. Secondly, make sure you are completely happy with the car before making any bid.

E. For all Purchases: Some advice is good for however or wherever you buy a car.

- Get an independent mechanical check.

- Check up on prices for the make, model and year of production you are considering.

- If you don't know much about cars, take a friend who does to see any car you are considering.

- Whoever is selling a car, it's illegal to sell a car that is not roadworthy.

Questions 8-14

Which section (A - E) mentions the following information?

Write the correct letter (A - E)

8. This can be a good way to get a bargain.

Answer: D (An Auction)

Supporting statement: "An auction can be an exciting place to buy a car and you can often pick up a great deal."

Keywords: great deal, auction

Keyword Location: para D, line 1

Explanation: Auctions are described as an exciting place where buyers can find great deals, suggesting that this method is good for getting bargains.

9. Check that sellers' car information corresponds with the publicly available information on the car.

Answer: C (A Newspaper and/or a Private Sale from an Individual)

Supporting statement: "Ask the seller for the registration number, make and model and MOT test number. Then use the government's online vehicle enquiry service to check that the details you've been given match their records."

Keywords: online vehicle enquiry service, seller

Keyword Location: para C, line 4-6

Explanation: The advice explains how to verify that the car's details match public records, ensuring the information provided by the seller is accurate.

10. Make sure to try a car out prior to buying.

Answer: B (Online)

Supporting statement: "Arrange a meeting to see, inspect and drive it before paying."

Keywords: meeting, inspect and drive

Keyword Location: para B, line 3

Explanation: The advice emphasizes arranging to meet the seller and test the car to ensure satisfaction before making payment.

11. Some people try to sell a car privately when they are in fact part of a business.

Answer: C (A Newspaper and/or a Private Sale from an Individual)

Supporting statement: "Be careful of dealers pretending to be individuals, so that they can avoid legal restrictions!"

Keywords: dealers, avoid legal restrictions

Keyword Location: para C, line 2

Explanation: This statement warns against dealers posing as private sellers to bypass legal rules, making this method susceptible to such issues.

12. Ask people you know for a recommendation.

Answer: A (A Dealer)

Supporting statement: "Friends and colleagues' suggestions is still a good way to find a good place."

Keywords: suggestions, Friends and colleagues

Keyword Location: para A, line 3

Explanation: The advice recommends asking friends or colleagues for recommendations when choosing a dealer, suggesting personal references are useful.

13. Watch other people doing this method first.

Answer: D (An Auction)

Supporting statement: "Firstly, go to an auction as only an observer, so you can learn what happens."

Keywords: auction, observer

Keyword Location: para D, line 2

Explanation: The advice specifically states observing an auction before participating, ensuring familiarity with the process.

14. Research how much the car you want should cost

Answer: E (For all Purchases)

Supporting statement: "Check up on prices for the make, model and year of production you are considering."

Keywords: prices, Check up

Keyword Location: para E, line 2

Explanation: The general advice recommends researching prices as a key step, regardless of how or where the car is purchased.