Used Car Buying Tips
How to Make Sure You Don’t Get Ripped Off When Buying a Used Car. Buying a used car can be tricky if you don’t know what to look for. To avoid a lemon and not get ripped off, you need to learn what to look for when buying a used car.
That private seller might have an honest face, but this person might also be trying to pull a fast one on you. It’s happened countless times, but you don’t want it to happen to you. Thankfully, you’re one of the bright ones that knows better. Wait, do you? Okay, here’s what you need to know so you don’t get ripped off when buying a used car.
Check Out the History of the Car
You can spy on anyone these days – even cars. So, once you find out where your ex has been for the last ten years, it’s time to look up the history of the car you’re thinking of buying. All you need is the VIN number, the year, the make, and the model. Then you need to go online and you’ll find plenty of websites who are more than happy to help you. Of course, going through the DMV to find a legitimate site is the best bet. In this history, you will find out if the car has been in any accidents and whether the car is actually the car you’re looking at.
Check Out the Value of the Car
Many people forget that cars depreciate the second you drive them off the lot, just like boyfriends and girlfriends once they become spouses. You can find out the general value of the used car in a few ways. First of all, you can look to see what others are selling the car for. If it’s more than what the seller is asking, you might be concerned that the car is in need of repairs that you haven’t been told about. You can also go to the Kelly Blue Book book or to the website to see what the car is supposed to be worth, depending on its condition.
Check Out the Title of the Car
You need to kick the tires, but more importantly, you need to make sure title is in the seller’s name. If not, you might be taking on their loan – and that’s not what you probably signed up for. Talk to the lienholder to see what the circumstances of the loan are and whether you would be taking on bad debt. If you are, say sayonara to that car.
Check Out the Car
Chances are good you’re not a mechanic, so it’s a good idea for you to simply take the car to a licensed one to see what’s wrong with the car. If the seller has nothing to hide, they’re not going to mind. They can even go along. But they have to ride shotgun.
