Every year, more and more people are recognizing the benefits of buying their cars used. In 2017, drivers purchased nearly 40 million used cars, the highest number in a single year thus far. There are many reasons to buy used, but you shouldn’t go into the purchasing process blindly. Mark these four items off your checklist before making your final decision.
1. Determine What You’re Looking For
Ideally, you should walk into a dealership already having a pretty good idea of what you want. A strong starting point will help you and the dealer efficiently find the perfect match. Take some time beforehand to evaluate what you really want in a vehicle. Additionally, you should also research ahead of time standard prices for the various vehicles you’re considering.
2. Ask Questions
Buying a car is an investment, so there’s no shame in collecting as much information as possible. Create a list of predetermined questions and bring up any more that pop up along the way. If you’re working with a good dealer, they’ll be more than happy to answer your concerns and help you come up with the perfect solution.
3. Know the Vehicle’s History
Ask for information regarding the history of the vehicle you’re considering. Know what repairs the car received in the past, if there have ever been potential issues, and if anyone performed detailing. You’ll also want to determine how old the tires are, as replacing them soon after purchasing the car would be an unwelcome cost. For certain models, components of the wheel— such as Honda Accord rims—may last for several years. Tires, however, have a somewhat more limited lifespan.
4. Plan for Your Test Drive
Everyone knows that you should drive a car before buying it. However, this won’t be incredibly efficient if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for—it isn’t simply about whether or not the car feels good. You want to evaluate aspects such as how the breaks work, the comfort of the seatbelt, and how smoothly the engine runs. Don’t settle on anything in this step of the buying process. You’re making an investment, and you want it to be worth it.