Used car salespeople are notorious smooth talkers. The good ones can sell convertibles mid-winter in Alaska. You must be prepared to haggle for your life when stepping onto the lot. So is it worth it? Well, yes. According to loan information provider Bankrate.com, new autos lose around 20 percent of their value after leaving the lot.
each year after that: deduct another 20 percent. So used cars can be a bargain for a buyer if you pick the right one. Here are some tips to help you avoid a lemon.
Buy Certified
One way to lower your chances of purchasing a bomb is only to consider manufacturer-certified cars. Certified automobiles have been inspected, repaired and tuned up by dealer mechanics. Of course, it would help if you also got an excellent extended warranty covering the necessities.
Compare Prices
The National Automobile Dealer Association publishes the NADA Official Used Car Guide nadaguide.com. This manual and the Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) list quotes of cars and trucks at all levels of quality.
History
Write down the vehicle identification number (VIN) and check out the car’s history at CarFax.com or Autocheck.com. Ask the dealer for any information on the prior owner. The information you will want to know includes what driving conditions the car has gone through (Los Angeles traffic, for example), what weather it has lived in, and if it has been in any accidents.
Inspection
Do your inspection. Take the car for a test drive and put it to the test. No driving on the 25 MPH neighbourhood streets. Take it for a spin on the freeway and the type of roads you do your driving. Listen for any rattles or pings. Make sure everything works. If you have a mechanic, stop by and get a quick checkup. Make sure you get the tires, engine, undercarriage, and frame.
