How to Buy a Reliable Used Car
There are many people who want a new car, but cannot afford it. If you are one of these folks looking to save a bag full of good pennies and get a reliable car when shopping for your next used car, follow my easy-to-use guide. Research is the single most important thing you can do when buying a used car. Also, when going to personally inspect the car, take the following precautions:
Check the vehicle’s history
You can do this online even before you go to the dealer. Most of the time, dealerships do this before buying the car themselves, and you have it on hand and ready to take a look before you buy the car. When buying a car, it is very important to know the history of car accidents. The car could have been involved in a major accident, a major flood, completely repaired, or simply crushed by vandalism. All of these factors can reflect the price of the vehicle. So buyers beware and if they come across some negative reports and still want a car, ask for a discount. The best place to get a car report is Carfax. This will show the number of owners, where the vehicle has been during its history, as well as recorded accidents and incidents.
Take a test drive
In 99% of cases, you will be able to test the car. So take the opportunity to do so. While on the road, ask your mechanic to check the car as well. This is the best way to find out if a car is right for you, see how it works, and have it inspected by a mechanic to get a second opinion from a professional on any defects you may not have noticed. Your safety and your pocketbook should be well protected, so take this step seriously when dealing with third-party sales, personal sales, and used car dealers.
Know the cost of the car
This is where the research part comes in handy. When you find the year and model of the car you want, look in Kelly’s blue book and see how much this car is worth in this condition with so many miles. Don’t confuse bluebook with a number, use it as general knowledge. If you were to trade that car for a new one, you’d still get significantly less than KBB value, so when shopping for used cars in san diego also look for one below that value to get a great deal. Also check out some car listing sites to compare prices with the vehicle you find in your area.
Request an extended warranty for this vehicle
If the car is less than 5 years old, it may be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Most auto dealerships offer extended warranties for older vehicles and certain failures like engines and transmissions. Ask about the warranty policy at the place of purchase, and then ask how much an extended warranty costs. Then tell them you want a free extended warranty and be firm. Every consumer needs to feel safe and want to be sure that their purchase is covered by insurance. So get ready to pay collateral or use your trading skills to get it for free.
