What to Do When Buying a Used Car

There are several choices for drivers looking to buy a used car, making it a challenge to find the right car at an affordable price. Here are some tips that will help you find and buy the perfect vehicle for you.

Affordability

Many drivers looking to buy a used car are typically on a tight budget. Prices for used cars vary depending on where you shop. There is usually a used-car section at dealerships selling new cars. Other options include independent used-car lots, used-car retailers such as Chrysler used car dealers in Tulsa and private-party sellers. You can see what other people are paying for the model(s) you have chosen by using an online true market value pricing guide.  

Along with the price tag, factor in the cost of insurance, fuel, any maintenance, and replacement parts the car might need in the near or distant future. If you decide to take out a loan, make sure your car payments are less than 20% of your income. If the car you want to buy is out of warranty, you might want to set aside some funds to cover any unexpected repairs you may stumble upon.

History

A vehicle history report is essential step to buying a used car. The report can tell you important information about the car you want, including if the odometer was rolled back or the model has a salvage title, meaning it has been declared a complete loss by the previous owner’s insurance company. Getting a history report is relatively simple. You’ll either need to know the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) number, or in some cases the license plate number is all that will be required.

And when you find the used car you want, call the seller before going to take a look at the car. Taking this step will help establish a relationship with the seller and they can verify the information about the vehicle. The seller might mention something over the phone that the ad for the car didn’t mention, which can have a significant impact on whether you decide to buy or walk away.

Testing

When buying from a dealership, call them and find out if that car in still in stock. And never talk about price with a seller or dealer without looking at the car first. Seeing the car up close and personal lets you know if the actual condition of the car lines up with details listed in the ad for the model or mentioned in the phone call between you and the seller or dealer.

Once all that is settled, it is time to take the car on a test drive. Before you take the car out for a spin, make sure to check tires, focusing on the wear of the treads, and look under the hood to see if something looks wrong. When out on the test drive, make sure to focus on how easy you can get in and out of the car, how much room there is, how comfortable the car is to drive, how well the brakes work, if all the lights and signals work, and of you smell any fluid leaks. And after the test drive, ask the owner or dealer for service records that show when the last check-up was.

Visit Chrysler used car dealers in Tulsa for more information!