Are You Car Smart? – Buying a Used Car
What do you need to remember when buying a car? Remember, it’s an investment, so make sure it is the right one. Most people tend to go for the look, the glitz, the engine and other such features. It is recommended to make an informed decision by taking all following aspects into account:
Car History
Buying a used car can be difficult, and somewhat of a gamble. You can put the odds in your favor by knowing all you can know about the car’s history. This includes number of previous owners, if the car was involved in any accidents, any previous mechanical failures and its maintenance history.
Ensure that car Odometer has not been tampered with
Simply look at the dashboards to see for marks, or if it is loose. This generally is a sign of tampering. Also look for service stickers under the hood or inside of the car. They will contain latest readings, and you can match them against the current read.
Reasonable mileage
Listed prices for cars suggest that reasonable mileage should be around the range of 12,000 miles an year. For a car with much higher mileage or in a poorer condition, the sale price should be lower.
Never sign an ‘As Is’ agreement
Read all documentation before you sign. Agree a warranty for at least 30 days, you never know what to expect with a second hand car. By signing an ‘As Is’ agreement, once you drive the vehicle off the lot, anything that goes wrong will be your problem.
Do not share
Never share this information with dealer number with your dealer. Not recommended.
Shop Around
Don’t settle for the first car that you see. There are a lot of second hand cars being sold, you can certainly find one that suits your budget and style.
With these ideas in mind, you can certainly make an informed decision.