When it comes to buying a used car, your options are either going to a dealership or looking for a private seller. Both have their pros and cons, but if you’re not comfortable with making direct contact with sellers or prefer to have someone take care of paperwork and financing, then buying from a dealer is the way to go.
You will be able to test drive the car and get more information on the model and its previous owners. However, dealers tend to mark up the price on used cars to make more money, so it is important that you know how to buy a used car from them. To help you in this matter, we give you 10 tips for buying a used car dealer.
Check the Fairness and Accuracy of Advertised Prices (FAAC)
FAAC is a list of facts that you should know before you buy a used car, including any charges that were not included in the advertised price. For example, if the car is advertised for $25,000, but there are undisclosed fees for customizing or other services like dealer preparation and transportation, then the car price is not FAAC.
The Fairness and Accuracy of Advertised Prices regulation states that dealers must include any markups in their advertised prices.
Ask for a Certification of Used Vehicle Conditions (CUVC)
You should ask for a Certification of Used Vehicle Conditions (CUVC) before you purchase the car. This way, you will know how the vehicle was treated and maintained by the previous owner. The CUVC is done by a licensed mechanic who checks the vehicle and provides a report on it.
If there are problems with the car, then you can refuse to purchase it. If there are no problems, then you can negotiate on this basis. The CUVC helps give you more information about what is wrong with the car and how much work needs to be done.
Research the Repaired-then-sold Cars
It is important that you know the difference between a “repaired-then-sold” car and one that has never been in an accident. These cars are generally cheaper because they were repaired by the dealership and then sold at a discounted price. The problem is that those repairs may not have been done properly, and the car could break down soon after purchase.
If you are buying from a dealer, it is important to research the repaired-then-sold cars first before considering them for purchase. Ask if there was an official recall on the car or if any of the parts used in these repairs were recalled as well.
If so, then it would be wise to steer clear of them. A good dealer will have all of this information available for your review before you even make contact with them about purchasing a vehicle.
Check if Dealer’s Employees are Licensed to Sell Used Cars
Check if the dealer’s employees are licensed to sell used cars. You can ask them to show you their license and also find out what they do in the event of a dispute – whether they have any in-house legal representation or if they refer you to an independent lawyer.
Don’t go with your first offer
The first offer you get from a dealer is never the best offer. You might be tempted to say yes because you don’t want to spend too much time negotiating, but this will leave you with a car at a higher price than it deserves.
Take your time and negotiate with the dealer. You can start by telling them what price range you are looking for or what price range is reasonable for the vehicle. From there, continue to negotiate with the dealer until both of you agree on an acceptable price. If they refuse to work with you, walk away.
Ask for an inspection by an independent mechanic
The first tip when buying a used car from a dealer is to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic. You can take it to the dealer’s service department or pay for a private inspection, but either way, you want to make sure that all of the major parts are in good working order.
If there are any major problems with the car and you don’t notice them during the test drive, you will run into trouble down the line. The inspector may find things such as an oil leak or faulty brakes that need replacing.
If you see shaking or rattling, don’t buy it immediately
If you are driving a used car and it starts to shake or rattle, don’t buy it immediately. If the shaking or rattling is coming from the engine, then it might be a sign of an internal problem that could lead to more costs for you in the future. If you are not sure what is causing the shaking, take the car to a mechanic and have them inspect it before buying.
Know the Market Value of the Car
It is important that you find out how much the car you want to buy is worth. You can do this by looking up the model and year of the car on www.kbb.com and seeing what these cars are worth in your area. This will help you know whether or not the dealer is trying to rip you off by marking up the price on a used car.
Check the Car’s History
One of the most important things to do when buying a used car is make sure you check the car’s history. Do this by requesting a Carfax report, which will give you information on the vehicle’s history, including its past accidents and flood damage. There are other reports you can order as well, such as AutoCheck and Experian.
These reports not only offer information on the vehicle’s past accidents and flood damage, but also tell you about the owner’s background – including if there is any outstanding debt or liens on the car.
Other things worth looking into are whether or not the vehicle has been in police custody at any point, if it was part of a fleet or rental agency for an extended period of time, or even if it was ever used for taxi/limousine services.
If so, then these would be some potential indications that the car may have sustained wear-and-tear from use in a professional capacity.
Get a Mechanic to Check the Car
If you are serious about buying a used car from a dealer, the first thing you should do is to get it checked by a mechanic. You want to make sure the car was well maintained and that there are no hidden issues with it. You also want to know if the car has been in any accidents or had any major repairs done to it