Purchasing a used car can be a wonderful thing. Because someone else bought the car when it was new they've already taken off a lot of the overhead charges that you would normally be responsible for. There are some great used cars out there with terrific features that enhance the driving experience. If you've never bought a used car before or if you did buy one and had a less than stellar experience, you need to know how to make the most of the situation.
Listed below are just a couple of tips that can help you buy a used car the right way.
Look for Signs That the Car Has Been in an Accident
It's always a good practice to check the motor vehicle report for any car that you're thinking about buying. It will list things such as the repair and maintenance history. However, if the owner of the car got into an accident and didn't report it to their insurance company, the incident might not show up on the motor vehicle report. That's why you're going to have to become a bit of a detective if you want to make sure that you're not purchasing a vehicle that has been damaged in a collision.
Take a really good look at the car. Pay particularly close attention to the seams where the different parts of the frame meet. Do you notice that the seams aren't quite matching up? Do some parts appear slightly different from other areas, as if it may have been put together like patchwork? These are telltale signs that the car was in a collision. If you notice these types of irregularities you might want to pass on the vehicle and look elsewhere.
Negotiation Is the Key
It's also important for you to go to the bargaining table with a plan. Regardless of the sticker price, there is always room for negotiation. Try to get the dealership to give you some additional perks. You might negotiate to have a certain number of oil changes thrown into the deal or ask if they can cover any mechanical failures that may happen within an agreed upon period of time. Just know that you have the power to control the sale. Knowing this gives you the confidence to ask for more.
Finding a used car for sale is all about making sure that the odds are in your favor. Walk into the situation prepared so you can get the best offer.
It is never easy to think about investing boatloads of money into a new vehicle, but a few years ago, I found myself doing just that. I had dealt with a dying car for so long that it was hard for me to imagine having a car that worked well, but before I knew it, things were really coming together. I was able to work with a friend of mine to find a vehicle that worked just as well as it said it did, and to make matters even better, it held its value well. This website is all about getting the price of a car down when you want to buy one.