Tips for Buying a Used Car

There are positives to buying used. Most importantly you will get more value for your dollar since somebody else took the huge hit on the initial depreciation. This hit is the largest source of lost money when buying a car. By following our used car buying guide you will learn how to avoid the common scams and pitfalls. 

1) Find the Right Used Car for You
This step may seem obvious but you shouldn't just go out to used car dealerships and start the shopping process. First you should search the online used car classifieds. Go to the local newspaper websites to view the automotive classifieds to view ads for cars that are close to you. However, to get the largest selection we recommend that you use the larger sites with thousands of listings.

2) Investigating the Car's History  **Most Important Tip to Follow when Buying a Used Car**
Whatever you do, you should never buy a car without first verifying what you are buying by running a history report. People end up buying a used car and later finding out it had been wrecked. There are body shops that are professionals at making a car look good. It can happen to anybody. If the VIN isn't clearly listed in the ad and the seller won't give it to you then move on to the next car. They are most likely trying to hide something. Since you are normally buying a used car "As Is," you will want to know about any problems before the purchase.

3) Negotiating Like a Pro
Out of all the steps to buying a used car, the one-on-one negotiation is the most daunting! You need to use all of the available information to your advantage to drive the price down. Before you begin negotiating, invest the time to do all of the research we recommend.

4) Closing the Deal
Now that your price negotiating is complete, it is time finalize the transaction. You should never pay cash because if something goes wrong you may have trouble getting your money back. Besides, carrying around large sums of cash is dangerous. You should pay with a credit card if possible or a check of some type (personal, official check, etc.). With a credit card or check you have a paper trail and some recourse available if something goes wrong. 

One of the trickiest things to deal with when finalizing the purchase of a used car is when the seller still owes money on it. This should only occur when you are buying from a private party. The lender is holding the title and you must make arrangements with them to have the note paid off and the title transferred to you.

5) Get an Extended Warranty to Protect Your Purchase
If you buy a used car that is no longer covered by the manufactures warranty, you are at risk for expensive repairs. That's why it is recommended that you get an extended warranty any time you are in this situation. If you buy a 3 or 4 year old used car, chances are that the manufacturer's warranty has expired and you will be liable for the repair costs. Don't be fooled by high mileage "powertrain" warranties as these do not cover most common problems. Do your research to determine what is actually covered by the manufacturer and what isn't.