Automotive

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid when Buying a Used Car

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle you might face some pitfalls, especially if you’ve made a decision to get a used automobile. Even though you are supposed to save a sufficient amount on it, sometimes it’s easy to end up overpaying hundreds of dollars instead. We have prepared a list of the 10 most common mistakes when buying a used car in order to help you avoid falling prey to them.

1. The cheaper, the better

Most of the used cars cost around $10,000. Of course, when you spend such a sufficient amount you don’t want to “get ripped off”. But it doesn’t mean that the cost should be the only factor to consider. It usually happens that by focusing too much on the price we look for the cheapest deal, but not the best one. Never forget that the price is only one of the elements of a good deal, besides that, you also should consider how old the model is, what mileage it has, and, of course, never forget about the condition factors.

It doesn’t mean that you have to forget about your budget and get a vehicle that you actually cannot afford. It means that the deal first of all should be fair. Know what you want, know how much you can spend, and don’t hurry up. The right option will come if you know exactly what you look for.

2. I don’t know what I want

“I just want a good car” never works out. Before you even start looking for a used vehicle make your own research on the best models. You should specify exactly your requirements.

Try to answers these questions:

  • What model do I want?
  • What color should I choose?
  • What year the car should be released?
  • What features does it need to have?
  • How many people will be in the car most of the days?

You might consider some of these models for example:

Specifying your needs is an essential part of a good purchase. Only when you know exactly what you need you might start your search. There will be some other alternatives which may seem good as well but don’t hurry up to give up on your dream. Keep looking for exactly that car!

3. I can buy from any used car dealer

No! The first rule of a good deal – you’d better always check who you work with!

There are so many dealerships out there on the market nowadays, and not all of them are trusted. Do yourself a favor and check the dealer’s reputation before dealing with them. It will sufficiently save your time and money.

Here is, for example, a good-rated trusted used car dealership in Philadelphia.

4. It’s not necessary to inspect the car

A pre-purchase inspection of the car is a MUST. Even if the car dealer persuades you that it has already been inspected and there is no need to check it one more time, you still do it! Otherwise, you might buy a perfectly looking car which has a lot of surprises inside. So if you don’t want to deal with car repair services straight after making a purchase, you’d better spend $100 for acknowledging that you are not buying a troubled vehicle.

5. I don’t need a test drive

You definitely need a test drive! Even if the car looks perfect you don’t know if the car is good for you without trying it! Each car has its specific features – a seat, width, the location of the buttons. You need to get in a car and check everything before you even start thinking about purchasing.

6. A vehicle report? What is it?

A vehicle report is a document that contains all the vital information about a car, such as whether or not it has been in major accidents, had flood damage or carries a salvage title. At Auto City, we make a CARFAX history report available for every single one of our vehicles.

7. I will deal with insurance afterward

If you buy a new car that is more valuable than your current one you might face issues with updating your insurance policy. That’s why it’s better to take care of it in advance. You should give your insurance agent a call before making a purchase and consult about your further steps.

8. I cannot decide if it’s the right deal or not

If you face a sweet deal that satisfies all your requirements but still keep doubting about it – go for it! Of course, that’s a very important decision and you are going to spend not a little amount of money but believe it worth it! Don’t doubt too much as there are a lot of people who are actually looking forward to getting the same sweet deal.

9. I am not negotiating

Don’t be afraid to discuss the conditions. The point is that everything is negotiable when it comes to a vehicle purchase. From the tires to the paint color and the interior fabric. Literally, everything on (and inside) a car is negotiable. So too is the price, the interest rate charged, and the length of a lease or finance plan. It can all be negotiated. People just need to be willing to do the negotiating. Don’t be shy and timid.

10. I will get it perfect!

It’s a common thing for humans to set our expectations too high. There is a saying: “The secret to happiness is lowering our expectations”. The truth is that if you want something to be perfect and it doesn’t fit your demand, you are getting upset. And when you are just tired of looking for perfection and purchase something which is just fine – you will never be satisfied with your new thing. That’s why we recommend you not to be a perfectionist. It doesn’t mean that you should be happy with everything even if you don’t like it. No! It means that you should follow your heart and choose the good and affordable option which will satisfy you even though it’s not the best in the world.

To sum up, you should understand that even though it might seem difficult to find the sweet deal, but knowing the common mistakes above will help you to avoid them and get exactly that car not getting ripped off.

If you have any questions, please ask below!