Buying a Used Car

The pricing of new cars today is absurd, so buying a used car is a great way to save some money. Many don’t think that used cars are of excellent quality, but they can be if you know how to weed out the good from the bad. With the right eye, you can find a perfect used car for your budget and lifestyle. Here is what to look for when shopping for your next used car.

Find the Right Place

There are a couple of places you can go to for a used car. Used car dealerships have warranty coverage, but you will be paying for the dealership overage and possibly have to haggle for a lower price. If you do not like negotiating, search for a haggle-free dealership or even use a service like Carvana. If you are looking for the best deals, search for private sellers through online ads. Though these may not have the coverage of a dealership, they probably want to sell fast and will be willing to negotiate an already lowered price. All of these are great choices. Explore your options and see which best suits your needs.

Check the Vehicle History Report

Once you have a car in mind, look at the vehicle history report. This report will contain the title, accident report, ownership, and maintenance history information. You can weed out vehicles you do not want to test drive with all of this information. If everything in the report looks good, you can use the info to negotiate for a lower price if that is what you would like to do. The dealership or owner will usually provide this information, but if not, it is easy to grab through companies like Carfax.

Be Present While Inspecting the Car

While interacting with the car, trust your senses. Use your sense of sight to check out the car before starting the vehicle. Your sense of smell can detect engine problems or mold in the cabin. Your ears will find issues under the hood. Finally, use your whole body to feel how the car runs. You can assess steering issues, suspension, and other mechanical problems that may need your attention. The final sense that will help you is your sense of intuition. This sense could be your most powerful. If you feel something is wrong, it probably is.

Have a Plan For Issues Down the Road

While used cars are more affordable than new cars, they often have more issues. If you purchase a vehicle and have problems pop up, you will need a body shop that you trust. Our Gold-Class certified technicians can handle your vehicle’s issue, no matter how small! We work with every insurance, and we can even coordinate for a rental car on-site! Don’t worry about a thing with Performance Collision Centers. Check out a location near you!