Buying a used car?

What to do, you may be in the market for a car, the question, new or used.  The best bang for your  buck these days is definitely a quality used  car.

Just what does one look for when  selecting a used car? 1. Make sure it is the right car, ie seats the right number of passenger, holds the right amount of cargo, is rated to tow your trailer. 2. Don’t expect the mileage to reflect the “national average” of 12,000 miles. We all drive far more than that these days. 3. Request a carfax  from the seller, whether from a Dealership, used car lot, or a private individual. It won’t give you the names of the previous owners but it will give you the number of owners the car has had as well, it will let you know if the vehicle has been wrecked and whether or not the air bag deployed. You will also be able to ascertain if it has a “branded” title, telling you the car has been totaled and rebuilt, flood or fire damage etc. 3. Check the oil and other fluids, this simple act can tell you a lot about a car. 4. Look at the tires, will you need to replace them? 5. Test drive the car, no I mean REALLY test drive  the car! Drive it like you own it with the radio off. Listen for mechanical noises, rattles, squeaks, brake noise etc.

If you hear noises, they may be just that, noises, but noises are usually the voice of a mechanical issue, if you really like the car, ask to take it to YOUR mechanic and have it checked. If you don’t really have a mechanic, have a 3rd party (another shop) do it. The charge will probably be an hours labor or around $100. that will be  money well spent, even if you don’t buy the car. If the used car you selected does need a minor repair, negotiate with the selling party to discount the cost of the repair or in he case of a dealership, include the repair in the car deal. One more thing, don’t be to harsh on the door dings and other normal wear and tear items you may find when selecting a used car, all things man-made experience normal wear and tear. And please always remember, the salesman is human too.

Advertisement