5 Things To Consider Before Buying A Used Car

If you’re thinking about getting a new car but you want to make sure to stay out of debt, a lot of financial experts say that the best route to go is to actually purchase a used model. One reason is because new cars depreciate in value the moment you drive them off of the car lot, but another thing to consider is that if you finance a vehicle, you will have to make payments on a monthly basis. Over time, that can become a bit of a financial burden. Yet, when it comes to a used car, to know that you have a mode of transportation that is bought and paid for, that can definitely give you some peace of mind.

When you’re getting a car that has been driven before, there are some things to think about before making a final purchase, though. That’s what this article is about: Providing you with five things to consider before buying a used car:

Check out the car’s rental history. We’ve all heard the saying: Looks can be deceiving. Whether you’re getting a car from a used car dealer or a private owner, just because it’s clean and shiny, that doesn’t automatically mean that it’s in tip-top condition. So, make sure to check out its history on a website like Carfax for information such as if it’s been in an accident and what its insurance records may be.

Check the car itself. If the car has original records and documentation, that’s a good sign, but you still should have the car professionally inspected by a mechanic. If the seller refuses or tries to pressure you to purchase the car without doing so that’s a huge red flag. When it comes to the initial “once over”, take a car inspection list along with you so that you’ll know what questions to ask the seller.

Check out the seller’s information. When purchasing from a private owner, you want to ask to see their driver’s license and title to make sure that they match one another. Also, if you’re looking at a car from an ad on a website such as Craigslist, make sure to run the phone number listed to see if it is connected to other cars. That is a clear sign that it’s not a private owner who is selling the vehicle and it could possibly be an illegal operation.

Check to see if there’s a warranty. Whether you’re looking at used cars Bournemouth or someplace closer to your home, if the car dealer you are negotiating with is legitimate then they should be willing to offer you some kind of reasonable warranty. If they don’t, that’s basically saying that they don’t back up their merchandise. If that’s the case, don’t buy from them.

Check out anyone other than family or friends. There’s a good reason why a lot of people don’t do business with family. It’s because it can make relationships really complicated. So, when looking for a car, try and stay away from buying one from someone you know. If something goes wrong with it, they’re not going to want to have continual conversations with you about it (they are selling the car, after all) and you’re not going to want to feel like you were gypped. Purchasing from a stranger keeps you from taking things too personally.