Roadmap to Your Next Ride
If you’re in the market for a used car, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ve created the ultimate used car buying guide with all the steps you need to make the right purchase. It’s time to hop in the driver’s seat and follow our seven-step plan. Let’s go!
The Essential Used Car Buying Handbook
Step 1: Establish What You Can Afford
The first step when it comes to buying a used car is to establish what you can afford. There’s a huge variety of pricing in this market, with factors including the age of the car and mileage impacting the price you’ll be charged.
With an important purchase like this, it’s helpful to establish a budget window. For example, you may decide you can afford anything between US$5,000 and US$7,000. Or, perhaps you want to be a bit more specific and look for something closer to the US$6,000 mark? Whether your budget is high or low doesn’t matter - there’s a car out there for you! You’ve just got to go into the market with a budget in mind and be ready to haggle to save money.
Step 2: Decide What Type of Car is Suitable
Just because a vehicle suits your budget window doesn’t mean that it’s a suitable purchase. Consider your specific needs! If you have a large family, you’ll want a car with enough seats. If you live alone, a smaller car may be better for you.
How much do you care for your vehicle to have a sunroof? What in-built tech is important to you? Make a list with two columns. One column is your needs and the other is your wants. In your needs column, identify the features that you’re refusing to budge on. In your wants column, identify the elements that it’d be nice for your vehicle to have but that aren’t important enough not to buy for.
Use Consumer Reports to assist with your search. They provide helpful car reviews and ratings for a vast range of vehicles, helping you to establish the right one for you.
Step 3: Compare Prices
Once you’ve identified the type of car, or perhaps even the exact vehicle, you want to purchase, it’s time to compare car pricing. Start locally by checking out the websites of nearby dealers. Then, expand your search nationwide to see if your dream used car is a little further away.
Remember that just because a used car is cheaper further away doesn’t make it more cost-effective to buy it. Factor in the cost of gas to reach it and the logistics of picking it up from far away.
Step 4: Check the Vehicle History Report
Before committing to buying a used car, you must check the Vehicle History Report. This document confirms information about the specific vehicle in question including service history, previous ownership and flood and fire damage. Knowing the facts about a used car will help you determine whether it's worth purchasing.
If there’s something you’re unhappy with, but you’re still intent on buying the car anyway, don’t be afraid to ask the seller for a discount on the advertised price!
Step 5: Test Drive the Car
You should never purchase a car, new or used, without first taking it for a test drive. All garages offer this service and independent sellers should be willing to permit it too. Those who won’t let you take the car out for a test spin might have something to hide about its performance.
Test driving the car enables you to understand firsthand how smooth the car is and whether it feels like the right match for your driving style.
Step 6: Check For Spare Tire, Tire Jack and Lug Wrench
While new cars tend to include a spare tire, tire jack and lug wrench, it’s not uncommon for used cards to be purchased without these important items. They are vital if you break down somewhere rural, so your used car must have them. Ask your seller to provide them, or purchase them yourself on the same day you drive your used car off the forecourt.
Step 7: Buy the Car
The final and most exciting step is buying the car from a seller like Kelley Blue Book. If you’re happy with the price, Vehicle Service Report and performance during the test drive, you’re all set to start on a new adventure. From here on out, it’s you, your new used car and the open road!
Do you need to rent a car? Check out some of the best 24-hour car rental companies.