Used Car Basics

By: Harvey Ong

Some people say obtaining a used car is like navigating a mine field. There are people who would be inclined to agree. The fact of the matter is, obtaining a used car can be one of the most harrowing experiences in the world if the potential buyer hasn't come prepared. There are things that anyone thinking of acquiring a used automobile has to either be aware of or have at their disposal. These things may include the verification of documents and the acquisition of relevant information.

The first piece of information that any prospective buyer should have with them would be their own financial situation. A used car can cost lots of money and a purchase would be ill-advised for anyone who doesn't have the healthiest financial situation. Regardless of where one goes, be it a dealership, a friend, or a website, the sellers will need to check out the buyer's ability to actually pay for the machine. The things that the buyer should check ahead of time would be their credit rating and their debt history. Being aware of one's financial weak points can be of great help come the time to negotiate for the price.

Once the buyer has checked and found their credit rating to be good enough, the second piece of information they should have would be where to buy a used car. As mentioned earlier, dealerships and websites are options. Both websites and dealerships are rampant and it isn't too hard to find one. If the automobile the buyer is interested in isn't very rare, the car itself should be available in most sellers. Of course, the rarer the car, the harder the aforementioned vehicle would be located. The buyer should take time to do a little research to find a seller that he would be comfortable purchasing from.

The third piece of information vital to procuring a used car would be whether or not the auto can actually run. It is simply common sense to check if the auto in question is still mechanically functional and that there hasn't been any extensive damage to the machine. The cold reality is that most dealerships don't bother repairing their cars too much, so giving a vehicle a close inspection for any mechanical flaws and damaged components is integral to the whole buying process. Buyers should feel free to ask for a test drive, should they feel it necessary.

Finally, every buyer should know how to negotiate with the person selling the car, be it a friend or the local dealer. The purchase of a used car is, in a way, an investment and, like all investments, it should not be taken lightly. As a salesman, his task would be to convince buyers that the sale is already over and that all that needs to be settled would be the details. It is vital that the buyer not allow the salesman to take control of the negotiation process. If the buyer is aware of some details, such as the actual value of the car on the market, the negotiation process becomes less favorable for sales personnel.

In the end, obtaining a used car can be daunting but does not always have to be so. A little research beforehand can go a long way in helping any buyer tip the balance in their favor in the sale of a used car. The tips given above are common sense, though most used auto salesmen have become adept at circumventing the common sense of the average buyer. Still, if a buyer is careful and is aware of the way things work, he should have no trouble getting the car he came for.

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