How To Buy A Used Car
Buying a used car offers a chance to get the vehicle you want without the dealer price tag. Buy used with confidence with our Used Car Buyer’s Checklist. Once you’ve decided which vehicle is right for you, here’s how to bring it home without paying too much upfront or facing expensive repairs down the road.
Buying A Used Car – Dealership or Private Seller?
New cars depreciate roughly 40% in the first year. Drive more than 10,000 miles and it’s worth about 60% less by your third year of ownership. Buying used is smart, but you need to go through the process carefully.
It’s important to note that buying from a dealership does offer some level of protection from spending money on a lemon, but not everything on the lot has a warranty. In most cases, only certified used vehicles come with any kind of guarantee.
Certified Pre-owned vs. Used from a Dealer
A certified pre-owned vehicle is certified by the manufacturer. It means the vehicle has met specific standards and a thorough inspection and, in most cases, offers some level of warranty by the factory or dealer. Certified used vehicles may also offer special financing.
A used car at a dealership is almost always a trade-in but can also be a vehicle purchased by the dealer at auction. Used vehicles might not be inspected at all depending on the dealership and are usually sold “as is”. These vehicles cost less but are more likely to have minor issues like worn suspension or old tires. Unfortunately, they may also have more serious issues that make them poor investments at any price.
Whenever you buy a used vehicle, from a dealer or private party, contact Garfield Auto for a used car inspection or trust a local garage near you to take a closer look. Once your purchased your car, get it in for its first tune-up.
Buying A Used Car from a Private Party
There are some incredible deals sitting on the side of the road. Whether you find a used car for sale online or by word of mouth, you’ll need to give it a roadside inspection to ensure it’s safe and to identify any potential problems.
Choosing the Right Car
Decide what kind of car you want and do your research. Take the time to compare makes and models, features, and have an idea of how long you plan on owning the car. If it’s going to be your daily driver for ten years or more, spend more time to be certain of body style – you might not need a minivan now, but want about in three years when the kids are playing hockey? Make sure the vehicle fits your budget and your lifestyle.
Inspecting a Used Car – What to Look For
We’ve put our checklist in order a specific way. Most drivers will find the top of the list the easiest parts of a vehicle to inspect and also be the most-likely components to need replacement soon.
Tires – Take a close look at the tires. If the tread is worn or the tires appear to have worn uneven, you’ll need to factor in new tires or possible front or rear end alignment soon.
Scratches, Dents and Rust – While a few minor marks are inevitable, really spend time looking for scratches and dent. Look for signs of rust; if there is substantial rust visible on the body, there’s a good change the vehicle’s undercarriage is also corroded.
Fluid levels – Want to see how well someone really cared for their car? Check the oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid to ensure they are topped off. This is usually a good indication of how well someone maintained their car or truck.
Upholstery – Check for stains, rips or – and this is the worst – smells. We’ve seen cars that we well below Kelly Blue Book for a good reason; they smelled like cigarette smoke so bad it was hard to even test drive them!
Accident Damage History for Used Cars
Use services like CarFax at the dealer to learn about the car’s accident history. Car accidents can be repaired, but there is the risk of damage to the chassis or other structural components in a crash that could increase your risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Maintain Your New-To-You Used Car at Garfield Auto
We offer used car inspections and the best automotive repair service in Traverse City. Whether you just picked up a used car off the dealer lot or from a private buyer, count on Garfield Auto to keep your family on the move. Contact us today to schedule your next service appointment.