How to know if a used car is a good deal
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When you need to buy a used car, it can be quite difficult to weed out the thousands of used cars for sale in your area. You will find used car advertisements in dealer mailing lists, in newspaper ads and on the Internet…
When you need to buy a used car, it can be quite difficult to weed out the thousands of used cars for sale in your area. You'll find used car ads in dealership mailing lists, newspaper ads, online marketplace ads, and community message boards.
Regardless of where you live, you can find cars of any type at almost every turn. You may find a certain style or model that suits you best, but how do you know if it's a good deal? There are several factors that can help you determine if the car you want to buy is a bargain. Factors include Kelley Blue Book cost, maintenance records, government certification, title status, vehicle condition.
Here are tips on how to spot the best deals when buying used cars.
Method 1 of 5: Compare the advertised price with the Kelley Blue Book.
A tool you can use to determine if the asking price for a used car is too high, fair, or profitable is the Kelley Blue Book. You can study the potential value of your vehicle and compare it to the value of the Blue Book.
Step 1: Go to the Kelley Blue Book Used Car Appraisal Page.. On the left side, select "Check the value of my car".
Step 2: Enter the year, make and model of the desired car in the drop-down menu.. Enter all relevant factors of the advertised vehicle whose value you are checking, then click next.
Step 3: Choose a trim level. Do this by clicking "Select this style" next to it.
Step 4. Select the parameters of the advertised vehicle.. Do this by checking all relevant boxes on the screen, then click on View Blue Book Fees.
Step 5: Select Private Party Value or Exchange Value. You want to check the value of a private lot because the trade-in value is for vehicles that are likely to need some sort of repair or restoration.
Step 6: Choose a vehicle condition score. Most cars are either in good or very good condition, but objectively choose the appropriate condition rating.
Step 7 View the results plotted on the graph.. The status score you selected will be highlighted, and the rest of the scores will also be plotted on the graph.
This is a great price to see if the car you are asking about is good or overpriced. You can base your vehicle negotiations on this estimate.
Method 2 of 5: Check Vehicle History and Maintenance Records
How a car has been maintained says a lot about what you can expect from your car's reliability in the future. If the vehicle has been in a number of accidents or has been in poor condition, you can expect more frequent repairs than if the vehicle was in good condition and not in disrepair.
Step 1: Purchase a Vehicle History Report. You can find authoritative vehicle history reports online if you have the VIN number for the car you want to buy.
Common vehicle history reporting sites are CarFAX, AutoCheck, and CarProof. To get a detailed report, you will have to pay a small amount for a vehicle history report.
Step 2: Check the vehicle history report for major issues.. Check for major crashes with a high dollar value or collisions requiring frame repairs.
These problems should greatly reduce the value of the car for sale because chances are that the repair has not been done to the same quality as the original and may indicate future problems in these locations.
Step 3: Find unfulfilled reviews in the report. A pending recall means the vehicle has not been in the dealership's service department, indicating a lack of maintenance.
Step 4: Look for Bold Fonts That Indicate Serious Problems. On Carfax reports, bold red letters draw your attention to problems you may want to avoid.
These can include things like flood vehicle title issues, company titles, and total loss vehicles.
Step 5: Request maintenance records. Get them from your dealer to determine if regular maintenance has been performed.
Look for dates and miles consistent with regular maintenance such as oil changes every 3-5,000 miles.
Method 3 of 5: Request Government Certification Before Selling
Because repairs can be costly to meet government and smog regulations, you need to make sure the vehicle has at least been inspected for government certification.
Step 1: Request a government security audit from the seller.. The seller may already have a current record or certification, so make sure the vehicle has passed the state inspection.
If this is not the case, you may be able to negotiate a better sale price if you are willing to take responsibility for the necessary repairs yourself.
Step 2: Ask the seller to check for smog, if applicable in your state.. Smog repairs can also be quite expensive, so make sure it meets the standards set by your state.
Step 3: Request a Mechanic to Inspect. If the seller does not wish to carry out the checks themselves, ask a mechanic to carry them out.
Spending a little on inspections can save you a lot more money in the long run if you find a costly repair is needed.
Method 4 of 5: Check Header Status
A deal that looks too good to be true often is. A car with a brand name often sells for much less than the same car with a clear name. Title deed vehicles cost less than pure title vehicles, so you can fall into the trap of buying a car when the vehicle is not worth what you paid. Be sure to check the title before buying a car to make sure it's a really good deal.
Step 1. Review the title information in the vehicle history report.. The vehicle history report clearly shows if the vehicle has a distinct or branded name.
Step 2: Ask the seller to show you a copy of the title.. Check the vehicle title deed, also known as the pink blank, for any indication of the name other than the clear name.
Vehicle scuttling, total loss, salvage, and recovery statuses are listed in the title.
- FunctionsA: If it's a brand name, it doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy a car. However, this means you should be getting a much better deal than the blue book cost. Proceed with the purchase only if the car is in good condition.
Method 5 of 5: Check the physical condition of the vehicle
Two cars of the same year, make and model may have the same blue book value, but they may be in very different conditions inside and out. Check the car's condition to make sure you're getting a great deal when buying a used car.
Step 1: Check out the look. Any rust, dents and scratches should reduce the selling price.
These are issues that can make you decide not to buy a car instead of trying to get a better price. A rough exterior often shows how the car was handled by the previous owner and can make you think about buying the car.
Step 2: Check for internal tears, tears, and excessive wear.. You may want to look at another car if the interior is in poor condition for the age of the car.
Upholstery repairs are expensive and while not critical to the operation of the car, they negatively affect your future resale value.
Step 3: Check the mechanical condition of the car. Take the car for a test drive to make sure it drives properly.
Pay attention to the brakes, the acceleration and listen to the noise to make sure there aren't any issues that stand out. Check the dashboard for lights on or gauges not working and check under the car for oil leaks as well as leaks of other fluids.
If there are minor issues that show up when you browse a used car for purchase, that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy a car. In fact, in many cases, this gives you an excuse to negotiate an even better deal with the seller. If there are issues that make you unsure whether or not you should continue selling, see a professional before purchasing a vehicle and be sure to ask one of AvtoTachki's certified technicians to conduct a pre-purchase inspection.
