That's why some car buyers choose to shop around for a used car. You save yourself that steep first drop-off in value. More importantly, you get a car that runs just as well as reliable, and looks and feels as good as new car, it will say if you play your cards right.
For if there is one pitfall of buying a used car is the risk of buying a lemon, a junker-call it what you want, you get the point: the wro
ng car. Used car dealers do have almost as bad reputation, if not worse, than lawyers do. This is true for individual people selling their cars through newspapers, Web auctions and classified sites, or with the old-fashioned signs in their car windows. They say, "Buyer Beware," no where has more meaning than with cars.
The opposite of this, of course, is that there are some real steals out there in used cars. We are talking about quality vehicles that will perform beyond your expectations at a low price. Here is how to find these perfect used cars and avoid the top 10 scams that used car dealers everywhere try to pull on you.
1. Get a second opinion to the hype.
Used car dealers will bombard you with every adjective in the book to sell you a car-sporty, thrifty, quick, and the like should not take their word for it. Instead, find one you know whether a neighbor, a colleague, family member or a friend who owns the same make and model of the vehicle and ask them their opinion.
2. Has a background check.
One of the most unethical, but legal, things someone can do for you is to sell you a used car that has been in a flood (and sort of repaired), or one who has had 10 previous owners (none of which repaired it). To be sure you do not fall victim to this, track down a history report, including a clearance control of the vehicle title. You can even get some of this information from the seller, simply by asking why they sell it. You will be surprised what beans people may spill.
3. Examine for past damage.
Used car dealers may also try to peddle a vehicle that was destroyed in a major accident. It is amazing what auto body experts can do to repair a car's exterior. So do not go by the outer appearances of a vehicle. Before you buy it, make sure that it has no serious damage to the frame, as it would if it was involved in an accident.
4. Call up your trusted mechanic.
Used car dealers, especially the major parties will say they put their used cars through a "100 point inspection," or something like that. Once again, a second opinion is in order. Get this one from your own mechanic. He will be able to tell how good a shape the car actually is in. Also be sure to ask him or her how often the car had been serviced. A good mechanic can even measure it.
5. Research for recalls.
Needless to say, a used car dealer can sell you a car that is actually under recall in his mad rush to get the car off his lot. So be sure to call the car manufacturer or visit their website to see if the vehicle has no active memories.
6. Avoid leftover lemon.
Along with recalled vehicles, dealers may even commit a lot worse if you sell you a lemon. (By definition, a lemon is a car that is still under warranty, to have such great problems that the warranty or not, it still can not be fixed in a reasonable way.) The best way to avoid this is to research the Consumer Reports or the various car magazines, which all have an annual review of each brand and model on the market. They will tell you about one kind of car is known to be a lemon and prone to crashes.
7. Look through the old paint and bait.
Along with performing their "100 point inspection, the" car dealers shine and wax a used car-even repaint it-to hide dents, dings, and rust stains. An eye, but can see right through this.
8. Take the test drive.
Once you've done all your research, homework, extra credit, and everything else called for in the first seven steps, then comes the fun test drive. Driving the car as long as its owner or dealer will give you. Then you get a better sense of how the vehicle handles, accelerates, brakes, and otherwise to suit your taste (or not).
9. Be wary of the intrusive seller.
At any moment of the game, from the moment you first talk with the seller to test drive-be careful if the seller becomes overbearing. Any dealer or seller who is in a rush to move a vehicle to be set off bells and whistles. Why the rush? Are they hiding something? In some cases the seller may just be happy to sell you the car and actually happy for you, but in many other cases may be up to something. Better to prevent than to cure.
Follow these 9 simple steps to avoid scams and pitfalls of used car deals, and you could get the car of your dreams-for far less than you would pay if it were brand new. Plus, you get the same high when you run your new used car home, without losing thousands of dollars.
