What to Consider When Buying a Used Car – Guide
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What to Consider When Buying a Used Car – Guide
It’s a situation many of us find ourselves in at one point in time or another. Your car bites the dust at the worst time possible, and you’ve got buy something used to get from A to B, quickly and affordably. But buying a used car makes you nervous; you want to make sure you don’t get taken for a ride (pun intended). You need something functional, durable, well taken care of and the best value for your money.
Photo Credit: Mike
So how to best choose a used car that’s going to give you the most bang for your buck? Below, we’ve listed a few tips to look for when choosing a used car. If you follow these suggestions you’re going to find a great car at a great price. You can buy used cars from ChooseMyCar.com and other reputable online sites if you’re unable to do so in person, even!
Vehicle History Check
Always check this before offering up any money or even considering buying a vehicle. A history of your vehicle should be online for you to peruse, check out any issues, see if the car has ever been in an accident, recalls on the vehicle and known issues for the particular make and model. You can also check the title to see if it’s registered correctly, if there are any liens on the title, and other issues that might prevent you from owning it outright (unfortunately there are scammers out there, so do your due diligence). This is the first thing you should do before buying a car.
Value
Check the blue book value of the car to make sure that the asking price is fair. Depending on the state of the car, the mileage, the year, etc, it may be worth considerably more (or less) than asking price. Knowing this information will give you more room to haggle.
Look at the Engine
This seems like a no brainer, but so many people don’t pop the hood and chekc out the goods before buying a car. If you’re not good with cars, bring along a mechanic friend or someone who is good with vehicles, to make sure the engine is in good working order, that there are no leaks, broken belts or fans, and that there are no other issues. Check that the A/C and heat work, that the radio/stereo works, too. Anything that’s broken, even if it’s minor, should be disclosed and accounted for in the price.
Interior
Check the inside of the vehicle for tears, burns, stains and anything else that takes value off the car. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it affects the value and should be disclosed.
Test Drive
Always test drive the vehicle before making an offer. Be wary of anyone who won’t let you take the car for a spin first. For safety reasons, always bring someone along with you, other than just the seller.
Check out the Owner
Whether it’s a company or individual seller, take some time to check them out. Never do business with someone who doesn’t disclose their full name and address/phone number. If it’s a company, look at Yelp and BBB reviews. Be wary of anyone who has had negative reviews or experiences in selling cars before.
These are just a few common tips on how to purchase a used car safely and responsibly. When in doubt, just use common sense and you’ll drive home in a great used car that’s perfect for you
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