8 Top Tips for Buying a Used Car

While there's no hiding the fact that it's much cheaper to buy a used car than a brand-new one, it can pose a lot of challenges for buyers, from potential mechanical problems to a dodgy past history. Before spending a lump sum of cash on a second vehicle, you'll want to ensure everything is in order and you're not getting ripped off. So that you can avoid this happening to you, we've made this guide with the top tips for buying a used car.

Set a Budget

Knowing how much you want to spend on a car will make your search easier. It shows you what cars are available for the amount of money you have to pay, so you can search in the right places. One way to stay within your budget is to use the price range filter on car sales websites, which will always produce results within your budget. It's a good idea to always have some extra dollars set aside in case you come across the perfect car, but it might be a little bit expensive. At least you're not cutting yourself out of the market entirely.

Be Cautious of Who You're Buying From

There are so many ways potential buyers can connect with people selling cars these days, from Facebook Marketplace to Craigslist. Unfortunately, when you connect with people on these platforms, you don't know their background or real motive for selling the car. Before you meet up with a private seller, you should ask them lots of questions about the vehicle and make sure they send you real verified photographs of the car and the official documents. There are lots of scammers out there using fake details to try to trick people into sending money or personal information, so beware. Used car dealerships are typically safer options. However, they tend to be more expensive than private sellers.

Research the History of the Vehicle

Before you meet a seller in person, you should run a full background check on the vehicle you're going to buy. All vehicles in the USA have Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), which are basically like passports for vehicles; they hold all a car's details like their country of origin, model year, engine, etc. Many websites like AutoCheck and CarVertical can do a full background on a vehicle; all they need is the vehicle's VIN. With that, they can find out if the car has been stolen and its accident history. 

Get a Mechanic's Advice

Unless you're an expert when it comes to cars, you're probably not going to understand the nitty-gritty aspects of the vehicle. Asking a mechanic to come with you to the viewing or showing them the messages you and the seller have been sending can go a long way. Mechanics are skilled at fixing cars, so they'll better understand the car's condition than you would. They can ask the seller questions, check for possible faults that certain models may have, and even help you get the price brought down a little if they find any minor issues.

Organize a Meeting in a Busy Area When It's Bright

It's safe to organize a meeting with a seller in a busy area when it's bright during the daytime. Busy shopping mall car parks are great since there are always people coming and going, and they always have security, so if anything goes wrong, you can notify someone. Remember, strength in numbers. Don't show up to the sale alone, or you're already disadvantaged against someone if they're a scammer. It can be anyone, whether it's one of your friends, parents, or, in an ideal world, a mechanic.

Turn on the Engine

No matter how healthy a car looks on the outside, what's going on inside counts, as that's what will get you from A to B every day. When you sit in the front seat, turn on the engine with the radio off, and listen for anything strange, it can be a good indicator that something is wrong somewhere. After you've turned the key, remember to keep an eye on the dash. Watch out for any flickering lights; it could be something as small as a bulb needing to be replaced. But in certain situations, it may be more sinister, like an engine problem.

Ask the Owner Can You Take the Car for a Drive

If you're going to buy a pre-owned car, you should make it your mission to test drive it before spending any money. This will be a good way of seeing if anything is wrong with the vehicle. You can test the steering and see how the brakes operate within a few seconds of taking off. Also, taking your hands off the wheel for a split second in a safe area to see if the wheels are correctly aligned is essential. If you're unaware of this, it can be extremely dangerous for you when you drive. If the seller is firm in not letting you test-drive the car, this could be a major red flag. Offer them to come with you in the vehicle for reassurance, and if they still refuse, you should consider walking away from the deal.

Ask to See the Papers 

One final step before you pay is to ask the owner if you can see the vehicle's papers. Remember when we mentioned above asking for a photo of the official documents? Well, now is the time to make sure they match up with the photos you sent so you know they're not fake. Be sure to check the VIC to ensure that the owner's name is registered to the car and that all the extra details match up with the background check you did beforehand.

Keep This Information in Mind When You're Buying a Used Car!

Buying a used car is meant to be a new beginning for someone, but there are some opportunists out there who will take advantage of these situations and scam people. Following these 8 top tips will help you make an informed decision during the negotiation process.