The Best Way to Search for a Used Car

The quality of cars has improved significantly in the last few years. Cars are now designed to last longer and sustain a greater amount of wear. However, financing or leasing new cars can still leave a considerable dent in your wallet. Opting for a used car can save you money and get you a car that still runs very well. But purchasing a used vehicle requires research on the brand and the resale value. Use research to pick your car, and then utilize other resources to find the best deal.

Instructions

1

Research the reliability of the vehicle. Although recent models are built to last, not all cars are created equal. Some tend to have certain malfunctions that have been addressed with a recall. Use resources such as Cars.com and Edmunds.com to research car reliability, using several factors. Narrow your search down to a few models, based on the best reliability ratings.

2

Determine the resale value of the car model you want to buy. Kelley Blue Book provides the resale values of all used vehicles. Each value assumes an "Excellent" condition for the car, which means that the vehicle has been taken care of mechanically and cosmetically during its use. This number is the starting point for negotiating when you finally purchase the car. If the car has exterior damage or requires some mechanical repair, you can reasonably demand that the seller lower the price.

3

Visit used car dealerships to find your car. Each dealership will offer you a different price for a car. Speak to salespeople from several dealerships to determine the best price. Most will claim that they cannot go below a certain price, but these are just savvy sales tactics. Most dealerships purchase cars at auction for far below the Kelley Blue Book value and set the supposed "lowest price" above that number considerably.

4

Look online for deals. There are websites that have extensive lists of cars for sale from sellers across the country. Dealers make up some of the listings, while others are private listings posted by the owners of the vehicles. Contact as many sellers as possible to get the best deal and acquire the specific car model that you desire. Cars come with many options and upgrades. Conduct thorough research to get exactly what you want.

5

Check local newspapers for used car listings. In many instances, these listings are made by people who have little knowledge about the Internet or need to sell their car quickly. Thus, local newspapers provide you with an opportunity to get a great car for a cheap price. Always meet with the seller before agreeing to purchase the vehicle. Ask the owner about the car and how the car was used. Although there is no guarantee that the owner will tell you the truth, you can notice how the owner reacts and perhaps get a feel for whether everything is on the up and up.

6

Check the title and the engine. Before purchasing any used car, check to see if it has a clean title. As a general rule, stay away from cars that have been in accidents. Even if they have been repaired, the car will not run as well as it did originally. Have a mechanic perform a full check on the engine, brakes and electrical components. There can be problems with the car that are not immediately evident to the naked eye.