A car is one of the biggest and most important investments you will make. Not only are cars costly but you use them almost every day for transportation and to run errands. It can be extremely frustrating to own an unsuitable or unreliable car.
To ensure that you become a stress-free car owner there are some factors you should consider before selecting a car. Read on for the ten most important things to look for when buying a car.
1. Is the Car Within Your Budget?
Before you start shopping for a car you should know how much you will be able to spend. It’s best if your funds come from savings, a loan or a combination of the two. When considering your budget remember to save some of your funds for car insurance and minor repairs.
If you have a limited budget then you may be limited to buying used cars. However, if your budget is bigger you could choose whether to buy a new or old car based on the features you require.
2. Is the Car Fit for Purpose?
One of the most important things to look for when buying a car is the number of seats it has. If you are a single person you could easily buy a 2-seat convertible or jeep. However, if you are a family of seven with young children you may only get away with a larger van.
Other things to look out for include the amount of storage the car has, the fuel efficiency of the car and accessories such as Bluetooth connectivity, coffee cup holders, etc. With all these features there are no rights or wrongs, you just have to select a car whose features fit your lifestyle.
To have a wide variety of options shop from a dealer that has a large selection of vehicles such as Serra Chevrolet. This will give you enough choice to find the perfect car for you.
3. Where Will You Drive Your Car?
Another thing to look for when buying a car is whether or not the car can be driven off-road. Some vehicles can’t be driven on rugged or muddy surfaces. For this, you need to purchase a 4WD car.
If you only need a city car to go from home to work and run errands around the city, then a small standard vehicle would be sufficient.
4. Does the Car Model Have Great Reviews?
If you are drawn to a particular vehicle, check out online reviews about the make. You can read numerous honest reviews about the car’s performance, fuel efficiency and maintenance requirements.
A car that has received very low reviews may be too problematic to buy. On the other hand, you can feel assured about your choice to buy a particular car if most of its users give it 5-star ratings.
5. Inspect The Car For Any Obvious Faults Or Damages
Once you decide to buy a car you should take an independent mechanic with you to properly inspect it. Some dealers or previous owners may try to hide major mechanical faults that may end up costing you thousands of dollars to repair.
Any seller that refuses a thorough inspection of the car they are selling may have something to hide. If the mechanic finds a major problem that the seller had not disclosed it may be best to walk away from the deal. Dishonest sellers could end up trying to swindle you on other aspects of the car’s sale.
Some things you and your mechanic should check on the car are any obvious signs of damage and the state of the tires. Inspect the car during the day when there is enough light to see the car.
6. Ensure You Test Drive the Car
Before signing the purchase agreement on any car, you must take it out for a test drive. This will help you get a feel of the car and know if you will enjoy driving it. You will also be able to discover any mechanical faults that the car has.
Take the car onto both rough and smooth roads as well as up and down a hill. This way you will be able to tell how the car behaves on all kinds of roads. If the car makes any weird noises or you have a hard time changing gears, then there may be some issues that will cost repair fees.
7. Check Car History
Do an online search for the car’s ownership and accident history to know if you can expect any problems with it. If a car has changed owners too many times this indicates a problem. Otherwise, why would they all have wanted to sell it?
8. Documentation
Ensure that the car has all the original ownership documentation before you purchase it. This includes the car title if purchasing a used car or a certificate of origin if purchasing a new car.
Once you make the payment you should leave with the car and the original ownership documents. Anyone that tells you they will send the car title later may not be being honest.
If a seller does not have the car documentation walk away from the deal.
9. Financing Options
Another important factor to consider before buying a car is the financing options available for you. You may have an urgent need for a vehicle but lack the funds to buy it. In this case, you will be able to get a loan through many different avenues depending on your credit rating.
The better your credit rating, the better the financing options available to you. Knowing how much you can expect to borrow will guide your decision on the kind of car you can buy.
10. Cooling-Off Period
Before you buy a car from a dealership ask whether they have a cooling-off period for car purchases. This is a limited amount of time where you can return the car for a refund of your funds. This is in the event of you regret the purchase.
Most sellers don’t offer this option so a dealer that allows it is worth purchasing from.
Check Out These Things to Look for When Buying a Car
Buying a car is a huge investment so take your time and go through our checklist before you decide to purchase one. Knowing the things to look for when buying a car could you save you a lot of time and money.
For more tips, read the rest of our blog.