Used car lots seem to be on every corner these days. Some of them have really great quality cars, and others do not. When you’re spending any kind of money on a used car, you want to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money and that the car is a sound investment. This way it will last you a long time and you can avoid having to take it to the mechanic on a monthly basis. In order to shop for a great used car, there are a few things that you need to know first.
1. Check out the reputation – You can find out a lot of information by asking around, searching the internet, or from the local Chamber of Commerce. If you find nothing but disappointed buyers and bad reviews, you may want to pass on that dealership. Once you buy the car, you may not have any recourse, so it’s up to you as the buyer to take the necessary precautions.
2. Research recalls – The current laws only require car manufacturers to notify new car dealerships about recalls. If a used car dealer isn’t doing their research, they could be selling you a faulty car without even knowing it. This means that you could have issues the moment that you drive the car off the lot. You can check recalls by year, make and model at this website. You can also run a vehicle Carfax report here.
3. Ask your mechanic – Your mechanic may be able to tell you the better dealerships in town or tell you about a particular model to be on the lookout for. You may even want to see if your mechanic can have a look at the car on your behalf before you make your decision. If you’re buying from an individual instead of a dealer, this is more important and should definitely be a part of your buying process.
4. Take the car out for a test drive – Make sure to turn the radio off and limit all distractions. You should be listening for how the car sounds when you turn the ignition, how the engine reacts when you accelerate with the gas pedal and how it responds when you apply your foot to the brake pedal. If you want to avoid trouble in the future, pay particular attention to all of these things while on your road test.
There’s nothing worse than buying a used car and having to take it in for repairs right away. Ask about the warranty. If the dealership isn’t willing to give you any kind of warranty at all, you may want to reconsider doing business with them. Depending upon the dealership and the age of the car, they should provide you with a warranty of some sort.
Click here to schedule a free inspection before you buy a used car in Sarasota County.
(Thank you Steve Burnett of Burnett 1800PAINTING for providing the stock image)
