As most car enthusiasts and experts know, a car can be a huge financial responsibility. The moment your car hits the road and leaves the dealership, it automatically loses 20% of its market value and continues to depreciate over time.
To add to that, you will have to take out car insurance if you do not want to be left paying hefty fees to get your car fixed should something bad like a car accident happen. And on top of that, you have to think about your regular vehicle expenses like gas and maintenance.
Given the aforementioned facts and the current state of the economy, more and more people are opting to purchase a used car instead of a brand new one. Used cars are less expensive than a brand new vehicle, and if you choose the right one, the costs to maintain it are even less than regular upkeep on a new car. Here are a few things you want to consider when choosing a used car.
Find out the market value
Once you’ve figured out the type of car you want to buy, the first thing you should do is to find out how much its current market value is. The best way to do this is to figure out the make, model, and year of the car, as well as its mileage and overall condition. That way whenever you visit a dealership, you already have a ballpark idea of what you might be forking over. When it comes to used cars Philadelphia has a good number of listings with decent rates. Never go for a used car that is priced higher than its market value.
Inspect the car thoroughly
Inexperienced used car buyers will simply walk around the car, get inside and sit behind the wheel for a few seconds, ask about the price, and if it’s what they deem affordable, will drive right off with it. Buying a used car is different from getting a new one as you have to factor in how it was used by the previous owner and how well they were able to maintain it. Getting a car that is poorly maintained can cause you to spend more in car repair and maintenance.
Ask for a test drive
Asking to do a test drive of the vehicle you are eyeing isn’t just a way to check if you really like the car or not. Doing a test drive helps you inspect the car even more thoroughly.
Listen to how the engine sounds when you are driving it at different speeds. Test the handling of the car in different scenarios, and inspect the dashboard to see if the warning lights are working or not. Lastly, check the heat and air conditioning. They are easily one of the most important things you need to make sure are in good working condition in a used car.
Check the repair history
In order for you to check how many and what repairs have been made to the car you want to purchase, you will need to ask for the license plate number and the vehicle identification number. It is important to look into the repair history of a used car to figure out whether the previous owner decided to get rid of it due to unfixable problems. Doing so can help you avoid owning a car that cannot be fixed.
Purchasing a used vehicle has its own sets of pros and cons, but figuring out how to properly choose one will help you deal with less headaches and enjoy more of the benefits that a used car has to offer.
