Wondering what to look for when buying a used car? Many people get stressed and anxious when visiting a used car dealer because they do not know what to look for and worry about getting ripped off. If you want to purchase a car, you will find that a used car dealership can be a great place to find high-quality and affordable used cars if you know what to look for.
With this in mind, read on to discover 5 things to look for when visiting a used car dealer.
1. Interior & Exterior Condition
Checking over the used car is often what causes motorists the most stress. You want to do much more than kick the tyres and you need to spend some time examining the vehicle carefully both inside and out. There are guides online that can help you to do this, but a few key areas to inspect include:
- Body condition
- Glass
- Suspension
- Tyres
- Lights
- Engine components
- Tailpipe
- Seats
- Pedals
- Odour
Keep in mind that a car does not have to be perfect and minor problems could allow you to negotiate a lower price with the used car dealer.
2. Vehicle History Check
There are certain things that you need to know about the car that cannot be seen. This is why you should always get a vehicle history check carried out before entering an agreement. A vehicle history check will reveal information about the car’s past, including how many owners it has had, license plate changes, any outstanding finance and if it has ever been recorded as stolen.
You do not want to buy a used car only to find out down the line that there is an issue that could come back to haunt you (and cost money).
3. Mileage
You should also always check the odometer when checking over a used car. This will be a clear indicator as to the general condition of the vehicle and determine the value of the car. On average, motorists travel 12,000 miles per year so keep this in mind when looking at the car and work out whether or not it all adds up. Clocking is one of the most common used scams that you will want to avoid.
4. Documentation
In addition to checking the car over, you also need to make sure that it comes with the necessary documentation. The key documents that you need to make sure that you have include:
- Bill of sale
- Title
- VIN verifications
- State requirements
These documents will ensure a smooth process and give you everything that you need to own the vehicle.
5. Dealership Reputation
Finally, you should always check out a used car dealership reputation before entering an agreement. You can search for the car that you are looking for and then spend time researching dealerships online, such as Borderland Chevrolet Buick GMC. You should look at what previous customers have said and see what options you have in terms of finance deals, part-exchanges and servicing.
What to Look For When Buying a Used Car Made Easy
If you are wondering what to look for when buying a used car then these 5 tips should help you to find the right car for you. Check out our other used car purchasing tips to find out more!