If you’re in the market for a car, one of the most popular options is to look at used cars. But, as with anything that’s had a previous owner, you might want to be particularly choosy about your set of wheels.
We’ve compiled a whole list of things you need to know before you buy a used car.
Research Prices
Before you start your search for that perfect, new-to-you, car, you’ll want to research what sellers are asking. Before you get your heart set on a specific vehicle, you’ll want to know what to expect in terms of pricing.
This leads us to our next point…
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Decide How Much You Can Afford
Car ownership can get expensive fast. On top of paying for the car, you’ll need to factor in everything from the sales tax, to insurance, to paying for registration and a new title.
You’ll also need to include the cost of getting the car inspected by a mechanic of your own choosing. You don’t want to waste your money on a car that’s falling apart. It’s a wise investment to have your potential new ride checked out thoroughly by an expert.
Get the Car Fax
This is so important before you buy a new car. You’ll want to know if the car has been in any accidents or had any other repairs for damage. If the dealership or an individual doesn’t want to tell you the car’s VIN so you can check it out on Carfax, just know there’s something fishy going on there.
Ask Questions
You’ll want to ask the previous owner questions about the car, but you’ll want to make sure you ask the right questions. Edmunds has a checklist of all the essential questions you need to ask before you even think about buying a car.
Give It a Test Drive
Once everything else is squared away, you’ll want to give the car a good test drive. We’ve talked about this in a previous blog post. Before you purchase the car, you’ll want to take a turn behind the wheel and see how it drives for yourself, so you can learn the car’s quirks firsthand.
Do you have any other helpful tips for what you need to know about buying a used car? Let us know on Facebook!
Happy used car shopping!
