What should we look out for when buying a used car from a dealer?
By Cars & Motorcycles on May 04, 2009 with Comments 7
We are looking to buy a used car from a dealer, and aren’t exactly sure what to expect or what to look out for. We already have a nice amount that we are approved for from our bank, but don’t want to get swindled by all the extras we hear dealers will try and throw out at you. What is good and not good to get when buying a vehicle?
Filed Under: Buying Used Car
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Nissan: Awesome!
I’ll second that, I have bought my last three cars form Nissan, make sure you get their extended warranty
Do your research before you go, kbb the cars your interested in and know the invoicees and specials on any new cars you are interested in, read the fine print in adds and its good that you have your own financing but they will try and get you t o finance with their banks because that how they make their money, make sure you read all contracts because alot of places use an illegal “packing” that adds back end products to the price of teh vehicle that you pay for and dont need. Get a car fax report and make sure you see the car in the light, if you have anyother questions send me a message, its what i do for a living so ill help you not get screwed.. ; )
Also ask to see the shop bill tof the work they did on the car your ionterested in.
HONDA or Nissans are great and if you can get a certified vehicle better warranty and youll be more secure with the car…
Always request a car fax report on any used vehicle. You may want to purchase the extended warranty. Look the car over thoroughly check under the car for any fresh leaks, and check all the hoses, and belts. You don’t want to buy something you’ll have to do maintenance on right away.
There are a few things you need to know about purchasing a vehicle from a used car dealership.
1. You’ll need to figure out what type of vehicle you need, whether it be a van, truck, full size sedan or coupe. This will help you narrow down your search and prevent you from being swindled into a vehicle that doesn’t fit your daily needs. Also, figure out what equipment you would like to find in the vehicle such as Power windows, Multi-Disc Player, alloy wheels, or moon-roof.
2. Know your budget. If you can only afford a payment of $250 a month, then you’ll need a vehicle priced no more than $12,000 out the door. Calculating your payment will help in figuring out how much of a vehicle you can purchase. Also understand that you can negotiate the price, but not if the offer is ridiculous such as an offer of $2000 or more on a $5,000 vehicle. There is usually a wiggle room of about 15% of the sale price.
3. Check if the vehicle has been inspected by a reputable repair facility. Some dealers have their own facility and inspect their vehicles thoroughly, while others use gas station shops for a simple oil change. A reputable dealer will have the vehicle inspected for any MECHANICAL failures and should repair them. Minor physical damage should be expected when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. Dings and small dents can be fixed, but there is a price tag associated with the repairs. Be sure to run a Carfax vehicle history report on any vehicle you are interested in. This report has important information about whether the vehicle was in an accident, has frame damage, or if there was any tampering with the odometer.
4. Once you’ve found the vehicle you want and had it inspected, now it’s time to buy. The dealer will show you payments that will include aftermarket products such as extended warranties or GAP finance protection. Be aware that sometimes they will “pack” the payment meaning that they will not disclose the price of these aftermarket products and how much they affected the payment. These products aren’t bad and could be worth it to you in the long run, especially the warranty. The warranty will cover the cost of labor and parts associated with any mechanical breakdown so that you don’t have to pay the shop bill.
These are pretty simple things to do when purchasing a used car from a used car dealership. Don’t be to worried about “getting ripped off” as this may prevent you from knowing when you’re getting a good deal. Remember the car salesmen are people too and allow them to help you find the vehicle that fits your wants and needs.
Well, some things a dealership might sell would be gap, road hazard, extended warranty, paint protection, interior protection, and others. Before you consider any additions, make sure you get an explanation of the item and how it will benefit you. Most paint and rust protections are over priced and not always worth it.
Gap for instance is a good thing to have if you are rolling negative equity into the loan, however it would be useless for anyone paying cash. Some states require dealerships to do title work, while others do not, so make sure you know who will handle the plates. I will give you a link to a dealership worksheet you can print out and bring with you so you don’t get ‘swindled’. Good luck and you can email if you have questions.
check the carfax used dealer sometimes screw you