What Is The Best Used Car To Buy?

The best used car to buy is one that both fits your budget and is reliable.

Used cars can be a terrific bargain, but they can also turn into a nightmare on the road. To protect yourself from purchasing a lemon, go to the used car dealer armed with these questions:

• Is the car Certified Used? These cars are more expensive than many used vehicles, but come with a guarantee that all necessary maintenance and repairs have been done. Certified used cars are a bridge between regular used cars and brand new cars, and can be a real deal.
• What sort of person owned the car before you? How long did they own the car? A car that was bought and then sold again shortly after should bring up warning signs, as the person may have bought the car, realized it had problems, and then decided to get rid of it.
• How many owners has the car had? Again, a vehicles that has many owners may not be the best used car for you to buy, since that indicates there are problems with the car none of its owners wanted to deal with.
• Are there are any repairs that need to be done or issues with the car? When buying a used car, you may be asked to sign a paper stating it is being sold “As Is.” When a car is sold “as is”, you give up any right to complain to the dealer about repairs the car may require or problems it might have. However, you still have the right to inquire.
• Is the title clean? Is it a salvage title? It is easy to receive a car that was junked and then repaired. While these cars are often cheaper, they may not be fully restored, causing headaches down the line. If your budget allows, you should think twice about purchasing one of these autos.
• Will they allow a mechanic to inspect the car before you purchase? If not, that is a serious red flag, and the dealer or seller should be avoided.

Purchasing a CARFAX vehicle history report for each car you’re considering is a good idea, and will ensure that you are getting the best used car you can buy, with fewer surprises down the road. CARFAX reports show every single time the car changed owners, what the mileage was at each title change, any crashes or accidents it has been involved in, and whether regular maintenance was received. It is also smart to research your state’s lemon laws. Lemon laws protect buyers from unknowingly buying inoperable or unsafe cars, and they vary by state. Some states protect against unsafe new cars, while others cover both new and used cars.

If you know your rights and do your research before arriving at the dealership, you’ll have a good chance of finding the best used car for your lifestyle on the very first try.