At Lithia Motors, we make buying a used car easy. With over 75 years of experience providing personal transportation solutions for our customers, and hundreds of dealerships across America, Canada, and the United Kingdom, we know how to make purchasing a used car an easy and stress-free experience. With that in mind, let's take a look at common mistakes to avoid when buying a used car.
5 Mistakes to Avoid when Buying a Used Car
Take the Time to do it Right
When you are in the market to buy a used car, you want to minimize your risks. You will already be saving money by purchasing a quality used vehicle and avoiding the depreciation of a new car, but there are some mistakes you can avoid by simply planning ahead. You want to do some research on the make and model of car you're looking for. Know the market value of the vehicle and get your financing for the car figured out ahead of time. When you narrow your focus to a specific vehicle or two, check the vehicle history reports on them to make sure they haven't been in a serious accident and make sure they have been properly serviced and maintained. All of this research takes place before you even visit the dealership.
5 Mistakes to Avoid
The first mistake people often make involves not researching the used car market before jumping headlong into buying a car. Take your time. This is not a race. You may have a specific make and model of car in mind. If so, go online and read reviews about the vehicle. You'll find many such vehicle road tests and reviews right here in the Lithia Research Center. Get to know the vehicle you are interested in before ever setting foot at an auto dealership.
Once you know the type of vehicle you are looking for, get the market value of the car by using Kelley Blue Book's excellent online market value tool. Based on the year, make, model and trim level of the vehicle, you'll have a good idea of what you will likely pay for a similar car. The Internet offers vast resources to help you narrow your search for the right used car at a price within your budget. On any given day, Lithia Motors has over 36,000 used vehicles and over 6,000 Certified Pre-Owned vehicles for you to choose from.
If you are not paying cash for your next car, you'll need financing from a bank, credit union or other lending institution. Before you go shopping for the best deal on auto financing, know your budget and how much you can afford. Getting pre-approved for an auto loan is easy and can be handled online, while you're in your slippers. Keep in mind that auto dealerships usually have better rates and loan terms than traditional banks. You can get pre-approved for a loan and ask your dealership to beat the deal.
At Lithia Motors we give our customers a free Vehicle History Report (VHR) on the car they are considering. We want you to be armed with as much knowledge about your new car as possible. The report tells you the vehicle safety ratings, if it has ever had any recalls or defects, how many owners the car has had, if it has ever been in an accident, what has been repaired or replaced, how often it has been serviced, and more. You can also obtain a free VHR through companies such as Vin Check Pro. All you need is the car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Believe it or not, some people buy a car without ever driving it. That's like buying the sizzle and not the steak! The test drive is important because you get to see how you and your family fit in the car. You need to experience how it feels to drive the vehicle. You want to check the brakes, steering, and suspension. You need to make sure everything is in working order and have the dealership repair anything that isn't working before you sign on the dotted line.
If you buy a used car from a private person, make sure to have the vehicle checked out by a trusted mechanic. If there are mechanical problems, subtract the repair cost from the price of the car. A thorough inspection by a trained mechanic can also reveal parts that will soon need replacement, rust problems, and other forms of damage. A car may look great on the outside but looks can be deceiving.
Let Lithia Help
At Lithia Motors, we make purchasing a quality used car easy. We have already vetted the vehicle for you. When you buy a used car from a Lithia Motors dealership, our factory-trained technicians have inspected the vehicle to make sure it is in proper working condition before you ever even see the car. We provide a free Vehicle History Report so you'll have peace of mind, and our auto financing department will help you get into the car of your dreams at a price that you can afford.
