Buying a decent used car can be a difficult task. Sure you can go for the quickest and the cheapest deals, but you know how that ends. Such used cars could bring you endless headaches - and trips to garage shop, costing you a fortune in hard-earned cash and loss of productivity. But did you know that getting a good second-hand car can be a pleasant experience?
If done right, finding, buying, and financing a decent used vehicle can be effortlessly smooth. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had resourceful tips to help you find a reasonable deal? Here, I will walk you through a quick guide to help you avoid buying a lemon. Read on; you will be glad you did.
Do a Little Research
Here is the thing: don't buy your dream ride simply because it looks eye-catching and falls within your budget. Rather, proper research is called for when purchasing a good used car. You really don't want to land a lemon of a deal. And your scouting shouldn't end with knowing book value of the car.
1. Try to buy a vehicle that has only had one previous owner. A one owner car is almost always in better condition than a car with several previous owners.
2. Buy a vehicle with low mileage. A lower mileage vehicle will usually last you longer and have fewer problems. Also, a car should have no more than 25,000 km of use per year since it was new. For example, if the car is four years old, don't buy it unless it has less than 100,000 km on the odometer.
3. If you are buying a used car from a dealer, make sure they have a good reputation.
4. Stay away from cars that have been used as rentals, taxis, police cars and so on. These cars can be bought for very cheap but you will spend a fortune on repairs. These cars have often been abused.
Physical Check
How'd you know your potential buy isn't a lemon? How else would you tell if you haven't seen the car for yourself! Visit the dealer or seller to check out the ride. Does the make, color, condition, and features tickle your fancy?
Go For a Test-Drive
A test-drive can be an indispensable step in your used car buying efforts. Besides proper research and your preference, getting a good deal on a used car can be a beneficial decision if you scout diligently based on a test driver. Don't forget to ask away, making sure that you find out if any significant part has been rebuilt or replaced.
CARSEER Vehicle History Report
Head over to CARSEER to get a vehicle history report for your potential ride. If the report is negative, then you have no reason pursuing that car. CARSEER is one of the most reliable and bespoke sources of these reports. This venture will reveal myriad critical information. Has the vehicle been declared a total loss by an insurance firm? Has the odometer been rolled back? Has the vehicle been used as taxi or police? How many previous owners for this car? Getting all these vital information will save you a great deal of heartache.
Mechanic Inspection
Have the car inspected by your mechanic or any car expert you trust. A technician will make sure that your buy is in a fine condition. Besides, complete structural and mechanical inspection can save you money and countless headaches by locating the potential areas of concerns.