These are the right strategies to use while choosing a used car.
Find Its Market Value
Start your used car buying process here. Head online because there are plenty of sites that will let you learn the value of any car. But first, get as many details about the vehicle as possible like the make, model, year, mileage, options, and overall condition. The more information you have, the more accurate your valuation will be.
Inspection
A well-maintained car can be worth thousands more than an identical vehicle that isn’t well maintained. Inspect every inch of the interior for tears, stains, or other signs of damage that are not related to normal wear. Inspect the exterior for scratches, dents, evidence of repair, and condition of paint, trim, and bumpers. Smell the car after it’s been running for a while because cigarette smoke and mildew are difficult to remove. But burning oil or gas are more severe and indicate engine damage. If the engine is dirty, the car may be poorly maintained. It’s worse if there is oil on the engine.
Test Drive
Check all the little things like its amenities and make sure they work. Check the sound system and its quality. Test heat and air conditioning. Inspect any warning lights that flash. See how it handles in stop and go, high-speed, low-speed, sudden acceleration, braking, and hard turning conditions. Push it to 55mph to see if there are any vibrations. Listen for any strange noises because those could mean problems. Test the brakes repeatedly to ensure there are no changes in performance or weird noises. Ensure that it shifts smoothly. There should also be no smoke from the exhaust.
Mechanic Inspection
If you’re serious about any car, hire a mechanic to inspect it and ask them for a written report. Don’t rely on the seller’s recommendations.
History
Get the car’s VIN and license plate number and order a Vehicle History Report from Carfax. Check its records for any issues.
Age vs. Mileage
A typical car is driven between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year. So if it has more miles than usual, its value is lower. If it has fewer miles, then it is worth more than other cars its age.