Do's and Don'ts You Have to Know When Buying a Used Car

Buying used cars can be complicated. It takes time and great effort to find the car of your dreams in good condition, and from a reputable seller. It’s important to remember simple do’s and don’ts when it comes time to buy that used car: because knowledge is power. In this guide, we’re going to take you through the ultimate do’s and don’ts of buying a used car. By the end of it, you’ll know exactly what you should be looking for, what questions you need to ask, and how to go about haggling. Read on for the full lowdown!

QUESTIONS WHEN BUYING A USED CAR

The more information you have about the vehicle and car-buying process, the more prepared and confident you’ll be when it comes time to close the deal. If you aren’t asking questions especially when buying a used vehicle, then you’re playing with fire. Here’s a look at the most important questions to ask and a feel for what the answers mean to your decision.

DO’S AND DON’TS OF BUYING A USED CAR

Buying a used car can be a frightening exercise, but these simple tips will help you find the right car without being ripped off.

DO REMEMBER TO ASK:

WHICH ONE IS BETTER? A DEALERSHIP OR A PRIVATE SELLER?

The main ways in which you can buy a used car is to either head to a dealership or try a private seller. With dealerships, you tend to get more protection—you’ll likely get a warranty, finance options and the vehicle will have been inspected by a third party. Plus, you can haggle! That being said, dealerships tend to be more expensive.

With private sellers, you can get cheaper deals, however, you’ll have to pay it all upfront.

You may be looking for the best car dealership in Columbia of Maryland or any other state. Imagine you have a list of the best Maryland car dealerships.

What should you pay attention to choose the best one?

• The Customer Service
• The Availability
• The Advertising
• Consider a Long-Term Relationship

HAVE YOU DONE YOUR RESEARCH?

The best way to make sure you get what you want when buying used cars is to do your research beforehand. So, to start with, you’ll need to run through a checklist of what you want from your vehicle:

• Are you interested in a particular brand?
• Do you want petrol or diesel? Or are you in the market for an eco-friendly car?
• What transmission do you need (manual or automatic)?
• Do you need a lot of storage space in the boot?

Once you’ve got a list of requirements, you’ll want to divide them up into essentials and preferences. Whether you’re looking to sell your used car online or buy a particular car, there are now lots of great sites on the internet to connect you with the right buyers and sellers.

WHAT IS THEIR REASON FOR SELLING IT?

This is a good way to get to know the seller and understand the reason behind their desire to sell the car. They might be trying to cut their losses with a car that’s been giving them headaches.

IS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR?

We know looks aren’t everything, but they can tell you a lot about how the owner treated the car. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

• Bodywork, paint job, car frame: Look out for scratches, dents, and rust on the surface of the car.
• Windshield, lights, rearview, and side-view mirrors: Are there cracks on the windshield? Do the headlights seem foggy or discolored? Are the rearview and side-view mirrors clear and working correctly?
• Wheels and tires: Check each wheel for dents, and make sure they’re not bent. Take a look at the tires, too, to make sure they don’t need to be replaced before you buy the car.

IS THERE A VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT AVAILABLE?

This is one of the most important buying used car tips to follow. History reports are inexpensive and provide valuable information for purchasing decisions. Reports include details on accidents, flood damage, number of previous owners, VIN verification, actual mileage, service history, and recall checks.

HOW LONG HAVE THEY OWNED THE CAR?

The longer someone owns a car, the more they can tell you about it. If someone’s been driving their car for a while without any problems, it might be a sign that the car is pretty reliable. But if someone is trying to sell a car after owning it for only a year or less, they’re probably not happy with the car for some reason.

DON’T FORGET TO ASK:

HOW OLD IS THE CAR?

Thanks to depreciation, most new cars lose 60% of their value after five years. You can use the car’s age, and how that particular make and model loses value over time, to your advantage when you’re negotiating for a better price.

CAN I TAKE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION?

This is one of the key steps of how to buy used car. When you’ve found a vehicle you’re interested in, take it to an independent, certified mechanic for a diagnostic checkup. A few glances won’t be able to tell you whether the vehicle’s actually in order or not. And, whether the seller is merely ignorant or malicious, they might have missed something vital.

ARE YOU SHOPPING WITHIN YOUR BUDGET?

You need to look at your finances and sort out your budget for buying used cars. If you set yourself a budget, you’ll be far less likely to be persuaded to go higher or overspend.