How to buy a used Car
1. Decide if You Want to Buy a Used Car from Private Seller or Dealer
Whether or not you want to purchase your used car from a private seller or dealer is up to your preference and budget. Generally private sellers tend to be cheaper than dealerships, but there are other things that you should take into consideration. Dealers can also offer additional features like car alarms, extended warranties, car tires and most come with an inspection already complete. These are options that you have to weigh when deciding where to purchase your used car from.
2. Define Your Budget
It is important to have an idea of how much you want to spend on a used car. Give yourself enough time to save, or if you’re taking out a loan or financing pay close attention to the interest terms. Be sure to take other ownership costs like insurance or fees for transferring ownership of the car. Used cars tend to be cheaper when sold by a private seller compared to a dealership. You can easily toggle the search options in AutoBids to only show cars that are within your set budget.
3. Figure Out Which Model of Car You Would Like to Own
Write a list of the make and model of the cars you would like to buy. Do some research to find out which models make for good used cars. Your list should include car type, model name, maximum mileage, and year of model.
4. Find Used Cars for Sale in Your Area
Use online auction sites or to find which cars are currently up for sale. AutoBids will let you choose filters to help narrow your search. Filters include model of car, price miles on the odometer, features, and more.
5. Check the Vehicle’s History Report
Getting a vehicle history report is an essential part of purchasing a used car. A popular source for reports is Carfax. They offer a full report filled with vital information about the car including, whether the odometer has been rolled back, if it has a salvage title, service records, and more.
What is High Mileage on a Used Car?
The rule of thumb is usually, any car with other 100,000 miles on it has a high mileage count.
6. Make Sure the Car is CPO
When a car is CPO is means it is Certified Pre-Owned. This means the car has undergone a thorough inspection and come with a manufacturer-backed warranty. A CPO vehicle is a low-rise purchase, which means the car can be on the road for many years to come.
After you test-drive the car, have the car inspected by a mechanic. This can cost anywhere between $100 - $250. Private sellers will allow you to do this with little hesitation, and if the car is Certified Pre-Owned (CPO), then it would have already been inspected and has a warranty.
7. Place a Bid
Once you found a used car you are interested in, take a look at the information associated with the car. AutoBids provides information about the car’s Blue Book Value, title status, mileage, VIN number, and more. You can easily place your bid by creating an account and searching for the make and model of car you want to purchase.
8. Fill Out the Paperwork
Now that the hard part is done, it is time to fill out all the paperwork. If you purchased your used car from a private seller it is important to get a contract that states the terms of sale, as well as the paperwork to transfer the title and registration to you. If you purchased your car from a dealership then you will sign the contract in their office, and are usually offered additional services like mechanics or an extended warranty or anti-theft devices.
Looking for a used car? AutoBids offers the best used cars online that you can bid on from the comfort of your home. Find your perfect used car today!
Jennifer D'agostino
January 23rd, 2022