The purchase of used vehicles has grown to have a bad reputation. Too often people search through the Sunday paper, find an ad in the classifieds that seems like a steal, and run out the door in a hurry with cash in hand to go purchase the car.
Then, you drive the car home and realize when you make it to your front door that the car has literally fallen apart on the drive home. This is a tragedy that happens far too often, but you can safeguard yourself against it. Follow these tips to raise your chances of not getting ripped off and of purchasing a quality vehicle:
If you are looking to buy a used car this Spring season, it is important to understand the reasons for why the car is being sold. The owner can always lie to you, but if the owner was not expecting the question you may catch the owner off guard and get the truth.
Always bring the car to a mechanic to be looked at before purchasing it. Make sure that the mechanic is either the mechanic that you frequently use or a neutral mechanic that has never been used by you or the seller to maintain impartiality. This is the best way to ensure that you will be getting an honest opinion on what is wrong with the vehicle.
Always get a Car Fax report. A Car Fax report only costs a few dollars, but it can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run by letting you know if there are problems or concerns that you should have about the car. In some cases the Car Fax report will let you know if the car has passed or failed emissions testing in the past and will also tell you what the mileage was on the car at each testing. This can be beneficial to let you know if the car has been driven recently. Visit used car dealers near me for more information
Always take the car for a test drive. If the car is not currently registered and therefore not allowed on public roads, at least start the car and drive it in a circle on private property. If you cannot arrange to test drive the car, do not even consider purchasing it. This is the best way to find yourself with a lemon on your hands and should be avoided at all costs. It does not matter what excuse the seller has to explain why you cannot test drive the car. If you cannot arrange for a test drive, do not buy it. Period.
Always bring along a friend. A second set of eyes that are not about to buy a car can be quite the asset. This person will not be emotionally invested in the car and can be overly critical for you. Your friend can ask the seller tough questions that you may not feel comfortable asking. This is the perfect way to set up a perfect “good cop, bad cop” scenario to get the most information possible out of the owner. This gives the best chances of hearing the whole truth.