If you’ve decided to treat yourself to a four-wheeler upgrade, you should consider all options before making a purchase. There are a variety of options and choices available, as well as new cars coming onto the resale market all the time, so it’s best to be patient and avoid making rash decisions.
Many people aren’t in a position to afford a brand-new car, so if you’re among them, don’t despair. There are plenty of used cars available that look just as new. You can choose from numerous car models, colors, features, and ages, depending on your budget. After all, it’s not every day that you’re able to upgrade your vehicle.
If your car-buying experience is not as good as you thought it was, you may want to consider doing some additional research. Suppose your budget is not big enough to hire a car-buying consultant. In this case, consulting a used car buying guide is your best option. When you invest time in reading a buying guide, you can be certain you’re making a smart purchase.
Every premium guide will contain useful information, like these tips for buying a used car:
1. Learn How To Recognize Potential Scams
As technology has evolved, so have the selling methods of used-car dealers. A good example is when they park the car that they’re trying to sell in a wealthy neighborhood to take pictures for the ad. These pictures typically make the car look like it’s well-cared for, and has been kept inside an enclosed garage space. They may even be photoshopped. However, the truth might be completely different.
Don’t fall for pictures you see in ads and make sure to perform a thorough check of a picture’s validity before deciding whether it’s real or not. You’ll know whether the pictures were legitimate when you go to see the car. Pay attention to whether it’s still in the same neighborhood you spotted in the ad, and ask the seller if they live there or not.
2. Be Careful Of Cars With Tampered Mileage
This scam happens more often than you think, and every inexperienced used-car buyer can fall for it. What used car sellers do is they roll back the odometer to present the mileage that they want. Mileage tampering also indicates that the car hasn’t been used much. Additionally, low mileage makes buyers believe that the car has been taken care of, though that may be far from the truth. Low mileage also means that the seller can easily ask for a premium price over the open market’s prevailing price.
Is there a way you can spot a mileage tampering scam? Truth to be told, this scam is very hard to discover. Even automobile experts and car repairmen can’t tell you for sure since used cars don’t have a warranty, and they usually aren’t serviced at the official dealership after the warranty expires. Try to figure out an average daily driver’s monthly mileage and calculate how much mileage that car should have considering the details this seller provided. If the numbers add up or come at least close to your calculation, maybe they haven’t tampered with the odometer. However, if the numbers are way off, think again before deciding to buy that car.
3. Research Market Prices For The Car You’re Hooked On
Sometimes, used car sellers might try to use people’s lack of car sale knowledge to their advantage. If they sniff out that you have a much larger budget than the car is worth, they might try to sell you this car for a much higher price than it’s worth. Especially if they realize you have no clue about buying used cars, you’re in danger of being taken advantage of.
A used car buying guide will help you learn how to recognize these situations, but you’ll also get an insight into current market prices for various used car models and brands. If you’re still unsure, consult other used-car dealers and compare prices for the same car of the same age.
4. Run A Test Drive And Take It For Detailed Inspection
If everything is still looking and sounding good, you’re pleased with the price, and the seller looks honest, you’re several steps closer to finalizing the purchase. But the process isn’t over yet.
You’ll need to test the car and see if everything feels fine and normal during a test drive. If your inexperience to recognize potential problems is bothering you, take the car to a reliable car service shop, and let them perform a thorough inspection. If everything is okay, you’re good to finalize the purchase. If there are some minor issues, it’s up to you whether you want to pay for repairs and maintenance, or even ask the seller to bring the price down a bit.
Final Thoughts
Buying a used car might seem like an easy thing to do, but there are issues you need to be aware of. Consulting a used car buying guide will break down all the things you need to pay attention to, and you’ll feel more secure to go and find the car of your dreams while avoiding potential scams. Enjoy your ride.
