Buying a used car can be a stressful situation. But, you could find some great deals if you’re thorough in your search, don’t allow yourself to be rushed, and know what to look for.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you shop for a used car.
- Make a Budget
Before you shop, know your budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on a used car so you can focus your search on vehicles that fit your price range.
Take a look at your finances, and be reasonable. A car should help you get around, not put you in a horrible financial situation. Once you know your budget, try to stick to it as much as possible, but have a good idea of how much higher you’d consider going.
- Know What to Look For
The search for a used car will be easier if you know what you need out of it. Are you trying to get your entire family to little league baseball games? Are you trying to get the most powerful muscle car for the lowest price?
You’ll save yourself a lot of time answering these kinds of questions.
- Research Reliability
Once you know what kind of car you want, research what model will last the longest. You don’t want to spend the time, money, and effort buying a used car that’s going to break down on you in a year.
Check to see what other people are saying about the model. When you start shopping around, you’ll know how to measure a vehicle’s state against its expected lifespan.
- Start Searching
Online shopping is the way to go. You’ll be able to search cars in your area using the factors you’ve decided on, such as make, model, and year.
However, a good walk through the used car lots or paper classified ads can turn up some surprising results.
- See the Title and Look Up Its History
When you’ve found a car, ask to see the title. You don’t want to buy a car without the title, and the seller should be happy to show it to you.
After you’ve seen the title, write down the vehicle identification number. It’s a 17-digit code that you can generally find at the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side of the dashboard.
You can use this number to look up the vehicle’s history through services like AutoCheck or CARFAX. Find out if it has any possible issues such as flood damage, discrepancies in the odometer, or past involvement in a major collision.
- Test Drive and Diagnose
Now for the fun part — give it a spin. See how comfortable it is, how it handles curves, and if the radio works. Be as thorough as possible, because there are generally no take-backs once you choose to buy. Look to see if what’s under the hood is up to par. Get a mechanic in if you need to.
If a car passes all these tests, then you may have found your new ride. Take as much time as you need to make a smart choice, and don’t forget to visit us at Rath Auto Resources in Fort Smith.
Image via Pixabay.com
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