There’s a lot to think about when buying a used car, such as the vehicle’s location, condition, age, the number of miles on the odometer, and supply and demand. While the process can be slightly daunting, it’s important to note that you can get a really great deal if you do your homework and negotiate in earnest with a dealer or private seller. Below, we’ve put together a few smart tips to help you buy the best used car.
Understand how Much You Can Afford to Pay
As with buying anything significant, the first step in the process is to work out exactly how much you can afford to pay. If you do not have the cash to pay for your purchase, you can work out your budget for the car based on how much you are approved to borrow and what monthly payment you are comfortable with.
Research Used Cars
You need to find a car that meets not only your budget but also your lifestyle and needs. A good place to start the shortlisting process is online through a car comparison website. Make sure to go through the different vehicles available from previous model years and check detailed reviews of the ones that seem appealing to you.
Browse Listings
Once you’ve made a list of cars that you could see yourself buying, browse local listings to see how those cars are priced. You can visit used car dealerships, check out classified ads and visit private sellers, or go to used car auctions to check out these cars in person.
Check the Carfax Report
One of the most important things to do when buying a used car is to review the vehicle’s Carfax report, which will tell you if the car has been totaled, had any serious accidents, changed hands multiple times, etc.
Test Drive the Vehicle Before You Make a Decision
If the car does not seem to have any serious problems, you can get in touch with the seller and take the car for a test drive. No matter how good the car appears to be, do not skip this step. If you are pleased with the car’s performance during the test drive, negotiate the price with the seller and finalize the purchase.
