Buying a Used Car Can Be Tricky

by: Luke Garfield


If you think buying a used car will be easy, better think again.

Purchasing a new car is a bit of work, but buying a used car is even more work. Some concerns include warranty, reliability, and the car's history as far as mechanical problems or if its been in an accident. It would be a waste of money if you were lured into buying a lemon of a car.

To keep you on the right track, here are some guidelines that you can refer to in case you are planning to purchase a used car.

• Shop around your community. You don't have to go to a used car lot and deal with a salesman who specializes in duping people, you can always buy from a private party. You can also try soliciting referrals from friends and relatives.

• If you have the chance to talk with the car owner, ask him why he is letting go of his car, and how long he owned it. You can also ask about the maintenance that has been done during those periods and its mileage as well. In this way, you can be assured that the car will still perform well enough for you.

• Inspect the car carefully, especially its body and tires. Is the car paint peeling? Is there rust on the hinges or the hood. Make sure that the tires are reliable and durable.

• Test drive the car to check if the transmission functions properly. Test that the clutch is still working. Check the exhaust system for strange sounds. If you are not familiar with the internal aspects of an automobile, have a trusted mechanic help you check over the car.

Used Car Buying Tips

• Always let the seller make the first offer. Point out any flaws in the car and then make a counter-offer lower than you are willing to pay.

• Talk to people that are knowledgeable in buying and selling used cars.

• Make use of all resources available to you. Check local newspaper ads, online classifieds, local auctions.

• Just because a car looks good on the outside doesn't mean its good on the inside. There could be mechanical problems that aren't evident at first inspection.

• Double-check the seller offering the used car. Know their reputation. If possible, talk to previous clients he has dealt with before.

• Lastly, ask if it has a warranty. Always look for some discrepancies especially in the documentation of the warranty.


About The Author

Luke Garfield
Respected computer scientist and author
Visit http://lemonlaw.netfirms.com for more articles like this one.