Although new car sales are starting to rebound, they have suffered in this recession. People are keeping their cars longer or buying used cars instead. If you are looking to buy a used car from a car dealer, there are some ways to protect yourself, your investment and get the most money.
First, check the available inventory on the websites of local used car dealers and list the vehicles you are interested in. Then check the history of problems, general reliability, repair records, recall, etc. for each vehicle consumed from similar locations. reports, J.D. Powers, or cars.com. Once you’ve narrowed down the list of possibilities, you can get an idea of the average price for both vehicles from Kelly Blue Book, NADA guides, Edmunds or cars.com. This information will be available when you start the business.
Now you are ready to go to the dealership and drive online inspection and vehicle details on the list. When you inspect the vehicle, do all the work. Lights, controls, heating, air conditioning, windows, doors, horn, radios, hood, trunk, etc. . Check for fluid leaks and not only the fluid levels, but whether any fluids are dirty. Check the condition of the top and body of the car for signs of rust or dents. The gatherings indicate that some repairs have been made.
You need to test the vehicle on highways and city roads . Notice any unusual noises, vibrations, or wandering problems. Check for soft targets, or some cartoon with it, and it’s time.
Before you visit a business, you should prepare a list of questions to ask. You want to know where the car was purchased and what is included in it. If the vehicle has 100,000 miles or more, ask if the timing belt or chain has been replaced. Otherwise, it replaces the condition of sale. Ask for those records and a copy of the report on the car or Carfax or AutoCheck. These stores contain data. They will tell you if it has had an accident, if it has had any title problems, how many owners it has had and its odometer history.
You’ll also want to know if the vehicle comes with any type of warranty. If it is a late model-cars”>used model car, it should come with the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty. Many dealers will provide 30 to 90 day warranty on older cars. But you should read what is actually covered. In the investment, you should also ask what the return policy is. Used car dealers are not required to report the car. In most states, lemon law does not apply to used cars. You should also ask if you can take the vehicle to your mechanic for inspection.
Once you’ve decided on the vehicle you want, you can negotiate with the dealer. Many experts say that a good start in this process is to be offered 15% off the asking price. Don’t be afraid to ask what the seller can throw in to sweeten the deal, such as new tires or a flush radiator.
Once you’ve made a deal on a used car, you can dispose of your old one. An easy way to do it is to simply donate to charity. The charity will collect your car donation for free and you will have tax deductible.
