Research Pays: Four Things You Should Always Do When Shopping For A Used Car
Are you trying to find a car that runs efficiently but doesn't cost a lot of money? If so, then a used car may be the perfect choice for you. There's nothing wrong with buying a used car as long as you know the history of that car--what has been done to it, what sort of work it still needs to have done (if any), and how many miles it has on it. All of these are things that most people consider when buying a used car, but there is even more research that needs to be done before you drive away with the used car you're looking at. Here are four things you should always do when shopping for a used car to ensure that you get the best deal possible.
Get The Vehicle History Report At Home
The first place you should do your shopping for a used car is online. Scour the various websites of local dealerships in your area until you find a model that you like. Once you've found a car you think you would like to purchase, get the VIN number from the car if it is posted online, then run a vehicle history report on it from the comfort of your home. Many sites will give you a short, condensed version of the report for free, but if you want the full history, you will need to use your credit or debit card to purchase the history report. This is a necessary step that will tell you everything you need to know about the car before you buy it--maybe even more than what the dealership would tell you about it if you asked. Therefore, the information contained in this report can help guide your purchase closer towards that car if it has a good history, or closer to another model if it has a poor history.
Check For Problems When Test Driving
If you are still interested in the car after doing a vehicle history report on it, the next thing you should do is schedule a test drive with the place you are buying it from. If they agree to it (which they should), then you need to inspect the car thoroughly before you get into it, when you turn it on before driving, and while driving. If you notice any of the following problems during this inspection or during the test drive, you should use discretion when buying the vehicle:
- Issues with dashboard lights
- Strange noises coming from the engine
- Weird smells
- Vibration of the steering wheel
- Noises coming from the brakes, or trouble braking
Have Purchase Prices and Insurance Prices Already In Mind
Nothing is more embarrassing than getting ready to close the deal only to find out that you can't actually afford the car at the agreed upon price, or that you won't be able to afford your monthly or bi-annual car insurance payments. Therefore, before you tell the dealer that you would definitely like to purchase the car, make sure you can confirm with them what the lowest price they will take on the car is, and also make sure to call your insurance agent with the VIN number of the car and get a quote on it early. Therefore, you have covered all your bases and you will know almost instantaneously whether this is too much of a car for you or if it is perfectly affordable.
Ask for Copies of the Service Records
Although you have already done a vehicle history report on the car you are interested in buying, you should still ask the dealership for a copy of all the service records for the car you are interested in, as some services don't get reported to the history reporting companies. If the dealership is truly running a good establishment and if that car is truly a good car, they should have no hesitation in providing you with these records. If they do, then this should be a red flag for you, and you may want to consider looking at other cars or going to a different dealership.
All of the tips mentioned above may seem like common-sense things that people everywhere should no. The fact of the matter is, however, that a lot of people don't know these things, and if they do know, they don't do them. If you want to avoid being taken for a ride when shopping for a used car, then it is imperative that you do your research and do all of these things before any money changes hands. This way, you can be certain you are getting a car you will like and won't have to put too much money into, and thus, you can be confident in your purchase. Talk to experts like U Pick U Save for more information.
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