How to Buy a Used Car the Easy Way

Take these steps to ensure a positive car buying experience.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Test drive the car. Driving the car in neighborhoods helps in determining the turning radius and the ease of stopping and accelerating. Driving on the highway allows you to determine the feel for commuting, long distance travels, and overall performance on highways (i.e. higher speed). Check the alignment, brakes, and suspension.

2. Determine the Kelley Blue Book value: http://www.kbb.com/.

3. Ask for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

4. Obtain a CARFAX Vehicle History Report using the VIN. The report tells you the accident/frame damage check; title problems including salvage, junk or flood, number of owners, service records, odometer readings, and more. The odometer readings will indicate if a mileage rollback has occurred. Many other vehicle history report companies exist, just make sure to find and stick with one to try and obtain a “package price” for researching multiple vehicles.

5. Take the vehicle to a mechanic. Most mechanics charge $60- $100 to check out a car. The mechanic will tell you if your vehicle will pass inspection for your particular state. For more information about inspections from state-to-state, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_inspection_in_the_United_States. Finally, the mechanic needs to give you a final word of advice, meaning a yes or no answer for a safe vehicle purchase.

6. Check everything. For most salesmen, errors on a car are on a “need to know” basis. This means that you will have to look and find any problems with the car. Close and open all the doors, check the locks and windows, look for cosmetic damages, determine tire tread level, evaluate the motor, etc. A tire tread trick is to place a penny facing you with Lincoln’s head in the tread. If his head disappears, the tires still have life.

7. Utilize online resources. Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and eBay Motors are all great options. Notice the websites given have vehicle reviews rather than only car listings such as Autotrader and Craigslist. Autotrader and Craiglist are great options for car purchases but may not help with your vehicle research.

8. Purchase the car. Make sure a bill of sale is issued. A bill of sale needs to include the following: the buyer’s name and address, the seller’s name and address, date and signature of seller, date and signature of buyer, warranty information (as- is vs. 1 year warranty), payment information (cash vs. monthly payments), and vehicle description. The vehicle description should include the year, make, color, model description, body style, number of cylinders, VIN number, state title number, and odometer reading,

9. Obtain the vehicle’s title. If you are buying a new or used car from a dealership, the title transfer will typically be taken care of for you. If you are buying from a private party, the following website will help you find information for registering your vehicle: http://www.dmv.org/ The bill of sale will be used to determine the amount of sales tax.

10. Enjoy your vehicle!

[cobrakai]

on 11/20/2009 I'm looking for a good used car as we speak. Great tips and advice. 5***** and recommended

[airving]

on 11/19/2009 I am so glad I saw this article. Our car died this week :( Great tips! 5* and rec.

[amysmarts]

on 10/31/2009 Great article on How to Buy a Used Car the Easy Way. This is all great advice. I will have to remember this. I am going to have to get a new car soon. Thanks. 5*