5 Tips for Buying a Used Car
Your auto has been breaking down more frequently. You're tired of taking it in to the shop. You've been promising yourself that you would trade it in for a newer model, but how do you make sure you don't trade one problem for another?
Here are our 5 top tips to help you make an educated decision.
1. Research, research, research.
With a variety of helpful auto sites on the Internet, there isn't a good excuse for not researching a car, truck or SUV that you're interested in before you walk onto an auto lot or discuss price with a private party. Helpful sites, include Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Google. Within an hour, you can find great information about owner reviews, Consumer Report ratings, recalls, and price comparisons.
2. Why is it for sale?
Many used cars on the lot or through private sale in the AutoTrader are for sale because their previous owners are trading them in for a newer model. However, some of these autos are for sale because of quality concerns. If you get a wishy-washy answer when you ask the seller why they put their used car up for sale, dig deeper. Take a step back and do your research again to see if there are any recall issues. Ask more questions of the seller to see if you can get them to share any habitual repairs.
3. The fax tells the story.
An excellent way to verify if the seller is telling you the truth about their auto's history is to check it yourself. Fortunately for consumers, companies like AutoCheck and CARFAX can help. It's better to take this extra step up front than kicking yourself for not doing it if you find that the auto has a poor maintenance record after you buy it.
4. Know your financing options.
If you're buying from a dealership, they will make you aware of their financing options. They want to make it as easy as possible for you to get into a used car. But they may not have the best rate and terms for you. Plus, did you know that you could get financing for a private sale, too? Before you get started, check with your bank. See what rates and terms they have. Another option is MyAutoLoan.com. They provide an excellent site for you to research your financing options for either scenario.
5. Protect your vehicle.
If you have a choice between two cars ... one comes with a warranty or extended service plan and the other doesn't ... which would you choose? Even if you have all the facts from what the seller tells you to the car's history report from CARFAX or AutoCheck, this still doesn't give you a guarantee that you won't have repair bills in the future. Check whether the used car that caught your eye has coverage under the original factory warranty or if purchasing an extended vehicle service plan makes sense.
Here are our 5 top tips to help you make an educated decision.
1. Research, research, research.
With a variety of helpful auto sites on the Internet, there isn't a good excuse for not researching a car, truck or SUV that you're interested in before you walk onto an auto lot or discuss price with a private party. Helpful sites, include Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Google. Within an hour, you can find great information about owner reviews, Consumer Report ratings, recalls, and price comparisons.
2. Why is it for sale?
Many used cars on the lot or through private sale in the AutoTrader are for sale because their previous owners are trading them in for a newer model. However, some of these autos are for sale because of quality concerns. If you get a wishy-washy answer when you ask the seller why they put their used car up for sale, dig deeper. Take a step back and do your research again to see if there are any recall issues. Ask more questions of the seller to see if you can get them to share any habitual repairs.
3. The fax tells the story.
An excellent way to verify if the seller is telling you the truth about their auto's history is to check it yourself. Fortunately for consumers, companies like AutoCheck and CARFAX can help. It's better to take this extra step up front than kicking yourself for not doing it if you find that the auto has a poor maintenance record after you buy it.
4. Know your financing options.
If you're buying from a dealership, they will make you aware of their financing options. They want to make it as easy as possible for you to get into a used car. But they may not have the best rate and terms for you. Plus, did you know that you could get financing for a private sale, too? Before you get started, check with your bank. See what rates and terms they have. Another option is MyAutoLoan.com. They provide an excellent site for you to research your financing options for either scenario.
5. Protect your vehicle.
If you have a choice between two cars ... one comes with a warranty or extended service plan and the other doesn't ... which would you choose? Even if you have all the facts from what the seller tells you to the car's history report from CARFAX or AutoCheck, this still doesn't give you a guarantee that you won't have repair bills in the future. Check whether the used car that caught your eye has coverage under the original factory warranty or if purchasing an extended vehicle service plan makes sense.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about used car tips, then visit American Auto Assurance's site on how to choose the best vehicle protection plan for your needs.