Looking For A Used Car? Know How To Shop The Smart Way
Buying a used car is a great way to get a reliable vehicle, without having to pay the high sticker price of the latest models. Since all used cars and all used car dealerships aren't the same, there are a few things you'll want to look for when choosing your vehicle.
You want to know how many previous owners the vehicle has had and how the car was taken care of, along with what the current condition of the vehicle is beyond what you can easily see. Here are a few things to ask for and look for.
Last Inspection Report
When was the last time the vehicle was inspected by a licensed mechanic? Does it have a report that you can look at? If not, you'll want to have a mechanic look under the hood and at the vehicle to see if you'll need to stick money into it right away. This will confirm that it's a good buy, or prevent you from having to spend a ton of money after you purchase the vehicle for new parts or repairs.
Ownership Report
Some dealerships offer a report of the title exchanges on the car. This will show how many people owned the car, what the mileage was when the ownership was transferred, and what the current mileage should be. It also shows if there were major insurance claims or if the vehicle was in accidents. If they don't offer this report, it's worth spending the money to purchase it.
Local Purchase Trends
You can see what your vehicle is worth on Kelley Blue Book, but you can also see what others have paid for the same car. With price comparison options you can see what someone paid for the same model in your area, to make sure you don't over pay or under pay. You also want to compare the other dealership and private costs in the area.
You can save a lot of money when you take the time to find a reliable used car, instead of paying for a brand new car that will lose value as soon as you get in the driver seat and take it off the dealership. There are many great used car dealerships where you can get the vehicle that you need, and you can negotiate the price with the sales attendant to make sure you get the best deal on the vehicle.
To learn more, contact a used car dealership like Car Save LLC.