Driving a Pre-Owned car might give you the vibe of a worn-out station wagon, but that is not the case every time. There are plenty of dealerships offering second-hand cars with hardly any distinction from the brand new models. The second a newly owned car leaves a dealership, its value depreciates. Financially, you must let go of your bad credit score, apply for a smaller loan and get the second-hand car of your dreams. Thus, you can save a lot of your bucks if you go for a used car, only if you know how to buy one. Choosing the correct make and model of a used car with all examination checks is more hassle than buying a new car.
So here, let me share with you five tips that you can keep in your mind when you look for a Pre-Owned car from used car dealers.
1. The obvious: Inspection & Test Drive
When you see your chosen used car for the first time, check up on the doors, the hood, and the trunk by opening and closing them once.
- Check for any water or oil leaks in the car and the seats for any possible damage. Even sporadically driven cars are meant to have some amount of dents or rust. That should be alright until these are invisible to the average eye.
- Ignoring the professional check of the car by a good mechanic can get you into trouble later. Hiring someone with enough experience to examine your ‘to-be’ vehicle before finalizing your deal.
- Lastly, you should hop into your future vehicle and take a test drive on different terrains and possible gear conditions. Taking this test drive is imperative because you might hear or see something in the car that puts you off that you wouldn’t see in a vehicle at a halt.
2. Foregoing the initial financing
If you have half a million dollars in cash right now in your backpack, you can skip over this part. But if you are anywhere near to going a bit skint in the coming years, you need to get a pre-approved financing offer from a lender. We suggest not going anywhere near a used car dealership until you find yourself a financing source. User car loans are typically a riskier deal for the lenders, so steady up to pay higher interests on your principle. The reason is simple; if you default on your loan, the lender will get a better price for a new car than an old one.
Even for buyers with a bad credit score, there are multiple offers available to choose from in the market. Make sure to go over your interest rates, conditions of the loan, and loan term. People with all instances of credit scores usually get a suitable loan offer from the lenders. Having a fixed budget in hand will also allow you to negotiate better with the dealership.
3. Never negotiate in the dealership at first.
In-person negotiating at a used car dealership can be the first and worst mistake while buying your pre-owned vehicle. A car dealership’s salesperson is a marketer first and then a human being. They can easily load you up with loads of additional warranties and charges like the wheel or paint assurances. You cannot hang up on them while you have your dream car in front of you, and you end up deciding on an overpriced final offer. Instead, do your research and comparison about your car online and contact the used car dealership on call or by email. It will be easier to walk away that way if you don’t like the conclusive offer.
4. Do not spend on looks but on your need.
Your pre-owned car looks can never be perfect and up to your expectation mark. There always will be something better available out there. You would never really feel content and might make a hasty choice. Consequently, your impulsive decision-making chances reduce to null when you understand you need a commuter, a truck, or an SUV. Base your final vehicle decision on whether you need to travel daily, need higher mileage or better torque, a convertible, or what model or make.
5. Vehicle’s past ownership check
Getting your probable future vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) checked can pre-inform you about:
- Prior accidents, recalls, or safety issues of your vehicle.
- It can help you recheck your used car facts, its previous owner’s history, and issued certificates, which, if not in knowledge, can pose a red flag in the future.
- Alternatively, you can opt for a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) car, which means that the second-hand car has already been thoroughly examined and fixed by the used car dealers.
Conclusively, buying a pre-owned car intelligently and taking time to decide your final call shall give you a good asset without going hefty on your pockets. Take into account the suggested tips and choose the right pre-owned car dealership you can trust and the one which makes the process easy for you. Our vast range of used cars on our website will never cease to surprise you with our make and models, our process, and all the more, our prices!