If you are considering buying a used car, you will find that there are a lot of people out there who are ready and willing to sell you one. But how do you know if you can trust these people?
Never forget that a car salesperson’s job is to sell a car. It isn’t to make sure that you are in the perfect vehicle for you and your family.
When you’re ready to buy a used car, check out these three ways you can avoid buying a piece of junk.
1. Get To Know A Mechanic
Before you head out to car shop, make sure you call your mechanic and be sure to only go shopping when they are open or ready for you to bring that car in.
Having a mechanic look at a used car is the best way to learn about everything that is wrong with that vehicle before you sign your name on the dotted line.
How do you take the car to the mechanic? Well, if you’re going to test drive the vehicle (which you definitely should), simply drive your car to the mechanic’s shop during that test drive.
Any reputable car dealership would have absolutely not problem with this. If you aren’t confident in your test driving skills, ask your mechanic to drive it for you. See if he or she feels anything, smells anything or has any bad feelings about the vehicle. Taking your test drive over to the mechanic is also a great way to find little things you can add to get the price of the car knocked down.
2. Find a Reputable Seller
Do your research. Read reviews of car lots online. Learn what to look for when you are about to go buy a car. If the price is the price and no haggling is allowed, you may consider going somewhere where they can offer you better deals.
If you walk onto a car lot and get a bad feeling about the person who is selling you the car, walk away. Having a reputable dealer is the best way to ensure that you don’t buy a lemon. Ask the seller if they offer any warranties as well. This should give you a little more comfort with your purchase.
3. Use Your Senses
When you are test driving a car, it is essential to look, listen, feel and smell everything you can. Smell burning oil? Don’t even think about putting your money down. Heat or air conditioning not working? Tell them to fix it before you buy it. Is a rattle sound coming from the engine? Just walk away.
When it comes to buying a used car, you will find that you have a lot of options, but the thing you should be more interested in is the quality of the vehicle.
Make sure you do your research and learn how to test drive a car properly. Talk to a mechanic about helping you out, and research your seller before stepping foot onto his or her lot. Finally, be sure you use all five senses to ensure that the car you’re buying isn’t a lemon.
