Sometimes it is just far more economical to buy a used car than it is to buy a new one. Maybe you just don’t have the credit, or good enough credit, to get a good deal on a loan. Maybe you just don’t want to spend the money it takes to buy a new car.
There are plenty of used cars out there that still have a lot of life in them. Many people trade in their new cars after a few years for a new model, and if they took good care of that old one you just might get a great deal. However, not everyone takes good care of their vehicles, so you need to take precautions when shopping for used cars.
Always Take A Test Drive
You should never buy a vehicle sight unseen and you should never agree to buy one before you’ve taken it for a test drive. You can find out a lot about a vehicle once you are behind the wheel and on the open road.
Pay attention to how it drives, take it on different terrains (town, expressway, dirt roads), and make sure you keep an ear open for any strange noises. While you do want to make sure everything works, including the radio, air conditioner, and heater, you also want silence while you drive so that you can hear if it makes any noises.
Have It Checked Out
While there are many things you can inspect yourself, like the tires and whether or not the lights work, there are some things you need to have checked out by a professional. While you’re on your test drive take your vehicle into a nearby shop and have a used car inspection done on it.
Whilst the state of Maryland requires that any used vehicles need to undergo something like this maryland state inspection before being sold or transferred to a new owner, other states may not require you to do the same. If that’s the case and your car hasn’t already had one, taking it to have a full and precise inspection will be in your best interest. This will enable you to see what type of condition your car is in.
If there is anything found wrong with your vehicle, get it in writing from the shop and get an estimate. If it’s an easy fix you may still want to buy the vehicle, and that price quote for fixing it may get you a better price.
Don’t Be Afraid To Haggle The Price
Aside from haggling over repair costs, you want to make sure that you know a little something about the types of cars you plan to be shopping for. That’s why it’s important to do some research. Know what that used car is worth so when the car salesman offers you a price you know how low you can go.
Even if you can’t get much off the actual price of the vehicle, you may be able to negotiate on your trade in and maybe get more off the cost that way. You should never walk into a used car place planning to spend the sticker price.
For some people, used car shopping is a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be if you just take your time, check the vehicle out, and make sure that you get the price that’s right for you.
