Are You A First Time Used Car Buyer? Follow These Important Tips

Buying a car for the first time is a major milestone and a big moment in a person’s life. With a variety of models and makes to choose from, deciding on your final buy can be confusing. Add to that all the cautionary tales surrounding a used car purchase can make buyers wary. It’s always wise not to rush into major decisions like these and with careful consideration you can avoid some common pitfalls. If you are looking to buy a used car, good dealers like Carswitch can help you finalize a great deal as per your need. Here are some important tips to consider before diving into that big buy.

Research

Information is your best friend and making informed decisions usually always turn in your favour. Though the rush of excitement about buying your first car can be heady, don’t make impulsive decisions that you might regret later on. Used cars require a little more careful consideration and inspection and you need all the information you can get about the car you want to buy. There are many resources on the net that can give you all the information you need about a vehicle from pricing to performance. If you’re looking to buy a new car online, check out as many sources as you can and then make your final decision.

Don’t settle for the first one

In your rush to buy your car, don’t settle for the first one that comes along. There are lots of websites that sell pre-owned cars online so visit as many sources as you can. Seeing the car in person can help in the decision, so visit a few dealerships as well. Sometimes dealerships may offer a more competitive price than what you’re getting online. Also don’t settle on a car just because of the price and you feel like you’ve got a great deal. Sometimes dealerships push slow selling models by giving out great deals on them.

Test Drive

The best way to tell if a car is as good as it looks is to take it for a test drive. Familiarize yourself with the basics of car jargon and functioning before going on that test drive. Better yet, if your mechanic or someone who knows their cars inside out can accompany you, nothing like it. Check how smoothly the car accelerations, watch out for noises in the engine or when you apply the brakes.

Vehicle History

Not all buyers are straightforward and may disclose if the car was involved in a major accident or had some major bodywork done. It is always best to ask for the vehicle’s history and service report. The report will indicate if the asking price matches the condition of the car. The history will also tell if the car had a single owner or if the vehicle was rented out.

Certified pre-owned cars

Buying a used car for the first time can cause a certain amount of anxiousness. To put your mind at ease, you can always go in for a certified pre-owned car. These cars are thoroughly inspected by a professional mechanic and are certified only if they pass certain quality checks. Repairs are made wherever necessary. These cars are usually more expensive than buying a used car off the lot, but it will put you at ease once you know you’ve made a quality purchase.

Financing and Warranty

Always check the financing options the previous owner had on the car and how much of it is going to be carried over. A lot of dealerships provide financing options as well, so check if it suits you to buy your car online and get financing elsewhere. Or if it’s a more seamless process to buy from a dealer and get your financing and paperwork done there. Also check the car’s warranty, sometimes it may have expired and you may have to take out a new one.

Pay attention to what kind of warranty the car has; certain warranties only cover certain parts of the car. These are important aspects you want to be aware of when you buy your vehicle.

Paperwork

Ensure that the previous owner has all the paperwork in order. When you’re going with authorized dealers like Carswitch, this aspect is usually taken care of. But if you are buying directly from a seller, this is an important aspect to consider as this could lead to legal troubles down the line if the paperwork is incomplete.