7 Things To Know When Buying A Used Car

Here are 7 things to know when buying a used car that will protect you from potential added expense, as well as future issues.  Buying used is a great thing to do when you are limited on funds or don’t want to finance. Whether you buy from a local car lot or individual, these tips will help you make the best decisions regarding your upcoming vehicle purchase.

7 Things To Know When Buying A Used Car

Mileage really does matter more than age.  The year model of a car isn’t as important as how many miles the care has on the engine and transmission.  The two most expensive things to repair in any car are the transmission and the engine.  While it doesn’t always prevent problems, choosing a lower mileage car is much more likely to give you long term dependable transportation versus a high mileage vehicle.

One owner does not mean good owner.  Often people advertise their vehicle as a “one owner car”.  This can be excellent if that owner has maintained proper maintenance and care.  However, there are a multitude of one owner vehicles that are in horrible condition because their owner did not care for them.  If they state it is a one owner vehicle, request maintenance records, receipts from upkeep or a Carfax report to learn more about any underlying issues that could exist.

Past water damage can cause lingering problems. If a car or truck has ever been in a flood area, the water damage from the past can linger for years to come.  Not only can their be rust an hidden damage in places you don’t normally see, it can cause wear and tear on belts, brackets and even the simple bad smell lingering in carpeting or upholstery.  If the car you are looking at has at any time been caught in a flood or had severe water damage, pass by and move on to another car instead.

CarFax is worth the money spent.  The extra money to run a CarFax report on a car you are serious about purchasing can truly make or break a deal.  If the car lot you are working with is not willing to offer you a report to check before purchase, then you may want to move to another car or lot.  If the car seems to be the one you really want and feel good about, the minor investment to pay for the report yourself will be worth it. You want to look for things like past wrecks, any recalls on parts and t see a consistent maintenance schedule.

Find out sales tax laws before you make a purchase.  This is one that some don’t even think about until it is too late.  Most states that have sales tax will also have a specific amount on vehicles.  There are, however, some states that offer a sales tax free purchase on vehicles under a certain sale amount. That can range from $2500-$4000.  This means you can easily avoid extra expense simply by purchasing a less expensive vehicle.  If not, you may need to make sure you can afford to pay the sales tax after purchase to properly license your vehicle.

Have your mechanic inspect it before purchase.  Don’t make the mistake of being too trusting.  Make sure you let your trusted mechanic take a good look at the vehicle and inspect it before you purchase.  This can find any minor or major issues hidden that could cost you more money in the long run.

Take a test drive with the entire family. If you have kids, it is important to make sure everyone will fit comfortably into your new car.  This also includes making sure that car seats, booster seats and similar will fit easily and safely inside the car.  

These things to know when buying a used car can save you a ton of time and money later down the road. Shopping for a used car? Check out the selection at Chrysler on Nicholasville.