Buying a used car can pose many problems, especially if the process isn’t undertaken safely. Not only is the process often a hassle but there are many things to consider. If you’re looking to buy a used car, consider checking off the following before parting with your cash.

Buy a Two-Year-Old Car:

One excellent tip when buying a used car is to purchase one that’s around two years old. The reason for that is simple. Any brand-new car that’s driven out of the showroom instantly loses around 40% of its value. So, when sellers try to sell their cars two years later, they’re still in ‘as new’ condition but at a much cheaper price. This could end up saving you thousands on a used car that looks like a brand new one with low mileage.

Do Your Research:

Researching the market makes a difference when buying a used car. Researching will give you better knowledge in terms of pricing and that could help you negotiate to lower the price. Also, research could greatly help you determine whether the car you’re interested in is the right fit for you in the first place. For example, this used Mazda CX-3 is going to be very different compared to say a Renault Clio – not only in appearance but the way it drives and feels. Look into the make and model and don’t buy the used car until you’re confident.

Look Online for Cheaper Prices:

There’s always a dealer selling the car for a cheaper price; you just have to find it. Again, do your research and use the big search engines to come up with answers. If you can’t find the car for a cheaper price, use it as your bargaining chip when it comes to negotiating.

Negotiate for a Lower Price:

When it comes to buying a used car there’s always room to haggle with the seller. Knowledge is power here, but anyone can do it with a bit of research on their part. Try to come up with several reasons why the car they’re selling doesn’t quite match the price of the current market. If there is a little scratch on the side panel, let the seller know. If the wing mirror is cracked, lower the price again. There’s plenty you can do to try and lower the price. While some sellers won’t have any of it, there are many that will lower the price because of what you say.

Check for Low Mileage:

The key to a successful decent used car purchase is the mileage. Of course, these statistics can be reset, but if you know what you’re looking for you’ll easily be able to determine if the mileage displayed on the dash is the correct one. Always check the mileage to see how much of a life the used car has left. It will also indicate how long you have left until the vehicle will need new parts. The last thing you want to do is pay thousands on a used car and then have to take it to the garage to get it repaired.

The above are just some of the many points that need to be checked off on your criteria list when it comes to buying a used car. Buying a new car is considerably easier and you’ll have the warranty to play with. However, buying a used one is cheaper. It just requires more knowledge so you don’t end up paying for a bucket of rust that’s going to stop working after a couple of weeks.

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