Tips Before You Buy a Used Car

[akulagi]

Buying a used car can be a minefield. But Carsguide can help you through it.
There are a few simple things to remember and steps to take, that will make the experience easier and assist you in avoiding being ripped-off.

1. Set your budget
Work out how much you can afford to spend, and don’t forget to include registration, insurance and regular maintenance and running costs. Both for insurance, and if you’re going to get a loan, shop around to get the best rate.

2. Do your research
It's important to have a thorough look at what’s out there before buying a used car. To get an idea of a model’s current market price, spend some time searching our used car ads online or in your local newspaper. Also check out our price guide to help you avoid paying too much.
Be wary if you find a used car where the price is much lower than the market suggests it should be. If you’re determined to take it further, have the car checked thoroughly. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Find the right car
Browse cars by body type, make or price to find out which make and model might suit you
Go window shopping by make and model, age, location… and all kinds of other helpful details
Read our expert reviews of the car you’re looking for
Check the latest car news to see if a new model is coming -- which can reduce the price of previous models when it arrives.

4. Contact the seller
And when you do, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions…
- how long have they had the car
- why are they selling it
- has it ever been damaged
- what condition is it in
- will it meet a RWC
- does it have any `bad habits’

5. Looking at the car
If the seller is a private party rather than a dealer, always go to their home address. Don’t arrange to meet them somewhere. Check that the home address is the same as the one on the registration certificate. Take a printout or copy of the seller’s advertisement with you to check that details like the odometer numbers are accurate.

6. Check the car’s history
No matter how genuine the seller seems, you should check the history of the car to make sure it’s not stolen, encumbered by an outstanding loan, or even a previous write-off. Get the car’s VIN number and check against the databases in the state in which it’s registered. For a small fee (free in some states), this simple step could save you a lot of money and problems.

[CaneWhite]

Buying a used car is a great way of cutting the cost of your driving. But there are risks, so it's important to take your time to research properly rather than rush into any deal. Check price chart and compare similar cars in the classifieds. Also consult an expert mechanic to know about the genuine parts of the vehicle.

[MarkHenry012]

Great information, while buying a used car the most important thing that should be in the buyer's mind is contact direct to the seller than a dealer because dealers are always looking for profit from both sides.