3 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Used Car
If you're in the market for a reliable yet budget-friendly vehicle, buying used may be the way to go. Of course, one of the biggest risks you take when you buy a used car is that you simply don't know how well a vehicle was cared for by its previous owner(s). Fortunately, by avoiding a few common mistakes during the car buying process, you can end up with zero regrets and a reliable used car that lasts you many years and miles to come!
1. Not Running a Vehicle History Inquiry
First of all, understand that all vehicles have a unique identification number, known as a VIN. This VIN is all you need to run a history inquiry on the vehicle, which should reveal a lot of useful information including how many owners the vehicle has had, as well as whether the car has been in any major accidents. If the vehicle has a salvage title, this will also come up in a vehicle history report. It doesn't cost much to obtain a VIN report (usually around $20 using a reputable online service), and the added information and peace of mind you can receive from obtaining one is well worth it before buying a used car.
2. Foregoing a Mechanic's Inspection
Even if a car's VIN report comes back clean, it's always a good idea to bring in a third-party mechanic that you can trust to give a used vehicle a thorough inspection before you buy. An experienced mechanic may be able to point out small problems that you can talk the dealership/seller into fixing before you buy. Or, in the case of a serious mechanical issue, you can get the information you need to walk away from the sale.
3. Failure to Request a Dealer Warranty
Finally, if you're buying from a used car dealership, you can expect to do a little haggling when you buy. It's never a bad idea, then, to ask the dealership to throw in a warranty on your vehicle if it doesn't come with one already. Even a two to three-year warranty can give you added peace of mind and protection with your new purchase!
Buying a used car is a smart decision for many, but it's important to do your research before you spend your hard-earned money on just any used vehicle. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can end up with a reliable and affordable vehicle! For more information, contact a company like Schwieters Chevrolet of Cold Spring.
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