Buying a Used Car Can Be Tricky

If you think buying a used car will be easy, better thinkdurable.
again.- Test drive the car to check if the transmission
Purchasing a new car is a bit of work, but buying afunctions properly. Test that the clutch is still working.
used car is even more work. Some concerns includeCheck the exhaust system for strange sounds. If you
warranty, reliability, and the car's history as far asare not familiar with the internal aspects of an
mechanical problems or if its been in an accident. Itautomobile, have a trusted mechanic help you check
would be a waste of money if you were lured intoover the car.
buying a lemon of a car.Used Car Buying Tips
To keep you on the right track, here are some- Always let the seller make the first offer. Point out
guidelines that you can refer to in case you areany flaws in the car and then make a counter-offer
planning to purchase a used car.lower than you are willing to pay.
- Shop around your community. You don't have to go- Talk to people that are knowledgeable in buying and
to a used car lot and deal with a salesman whoselling used cars.
specializes in duping people, you can always buy from- Make use of all resources available to you. Check
a private party. You can also try soliciting referralslocal newspaper ads, online classifieds, local auctions.
from friends and relatives.- Just because a car looks good on the outside
- If you have the chance to talk with the car owner,doesn't mean its good on the inside. There could be
ask him why he is letting go of his car, and how longmechanical problems that aren't evident at first
he owned it. You can also ask about the maintenanceinspection.
that has been done during those periods and its- Double-check the seller offering the used car. Know
mileage as well. In this way, you can be assured thattheir reputation. If possible, talk to previous clients he
the car will still perform well enough for you.has dealt with before.
- Inspect the car carefully, especially its body and tires.- Lastly, ask if it has a warranty. Always look for
Is the car paint peeling? Is there rust on the hinges orsome discrepancies especially in the documentation of
the hood. Make sure that the tires are reliable andthe warranty.