There are many advantages to buying used, if you were not aware of at least some of them, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article now. Nevertheless, the used car market is a particularly hazardous one, and without some introduction, the hapless customer can end up with a really skinny end of the stick.
By the same measure, there are many valuable deals waiting in the used car lots and classifieds today, following are some important things to keep in mind when looking for a used car deal that you won’t regret. So here’s how to buy a used car…
1. Preparation — Doing lots of research into the type of vehicle you want, the cash you can conceivably spend, and any other factors that will be involved with buying a used car is important preparation work. This will keep you focused on a single goal, which will increase your likelihood of actually succeeding with the car you want at a good price.
2. Revision — Once you have narrowed down your list of options by checking them out yourself, you will want to have any final possibilities inspected by a reputable mechanic, one you trust to give you a clear illustration of the car’s conditions, possible future problems, etc. You could even get a second opinion. What you don’t want is to buy a car that had been wrecked at some point.
3. Legal Status — Never purchase a vehicle without looking into its history at the local transit authority. The VIN number that can be found on the motor and chassis, can be run through a database such as Reg Car Check to reveal more information. If a dealer is trying to sell you a car without a listed VIN in the ad, probably not a good deal.
4. Negotiations — “The Art of War” defines victory as “the prepared meeting the unprepared”, when it comes time to negotiate the price it will be the information you have collected from intense research, professional inspection, and intuition—coupled with your commitment to finding a good deal even if it means walking out on a few obstinate sellers — that will determine your level of victory.
5. Closing the Deal — Many experienced used car buyers will tell you that paying in cash is a poor idea. The reasoning is that if something goes wrong for any reason, anything paid in cash will be very difficult to get back. In addition to this, carrying large amounts of cash around is always a risky maneuver.
In the End — This small introduction has, without doubt, left out many other very important factors that will need to be considered such as the minefield of dealers’ financing (CAUTION!), extended warranties, and the important test drive. Nevertheless, if you can at least adhere to these simple pointers you are headed in the right direction.
One more quick clue? Try buying used from a call rental service, the vehicles are generally in good condition and you can avoid all that haggling as they usually have a set price. Fishermen’s Luck!!
