
Things To Know When Buying A Car – Buying a used car can often be a better investment option than buying a new car, but there are risks involved. Used cars, for example, can have regular wear and tear issues. When you’re in the market for a used car, it’s important to avoid things like not taking a test drive or buying based on price.
Before you buy your used car, whether it’s through a dealer or from a private owner on a used car website like Autotrader or CarsDirect, you need to figure out how you’re going to pay for it. Not everyone can pay full cash for a car – even for a used car. So, they turn to financing.
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Financing provides the loan and your approved amount sets the upper limit of your price range. Knowing your pre-approved financing options makes negotiating prices easier. If you are buying a car from a dealership, they will offer you financing. But dealer financing is often more expensive than getting financing from other sources, like your bank.
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Shop around because different lenders offer different rates. Make sure you have a pre-approval or approval with the monthly payments you can afford before you buy your car. An auto loan calculator can help you determine what type of loan term and interest rate will fit your budget.
Used car financing rates are generally higher than for new cars. This is because new cars are less of a risk to lenders if you default on your loan. They can cover their losses more easily with a new vehicle.
If you pay cash for your used car, you can save a lot of money in the long run because you won’t have to pay interest. If financing is necessary, you’ll need to determine how much you can afford by creating a budget of your monthly income and expenses.
But if you shop based on monthly payments alone, you could end up paying more in the long run. For example, you may have a loan with a higher interest rate but a lower monthly payment due to a longer loan term. Compound interest makes that loan more expensive than a loan with a shorter term and lower interest rate, but higher monthly payments.
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You can rent a used car. But not all dealerships offer used car leases and there are some conditions. According to Edmonds, it must be certified pre-owned, the mileage must be less than 48,000 miles and the vehicle must be less than four years old. But remember, while your monthly lease payment may be lower than your monthly loan payment, you may have to return a leased car at the end of your lease.
Some used car buyers don’t test drive the car before buying. By not test driving the car you’re buying, you risk running into unexpected and potentially expensive problems. In the case of used cars, consider some test driving before making a purchase decision. This will save you from buyer’s remorse and give you clarity on how the car will perform before buying the car.
Failing to have it checked by a mechanic before purchasing a used car can often be a mistake. If the car has major problems that you can’t see for yourself, this step can save you a lot of money. The cost of an inspection may be worth the money it saves you.
With an official car inspection, you will have more peace of mind that the purchase will be less risky. In some cases, the seller may be willing to pay for an inspection, especially if the seller is a car dealer.
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If you are buying a used car from a dealership, you may be tempted to visit the dealership in person. That may be a mistake before you negotiate on the phone.
Once you’re on dealership property, you’re less likely to walk away from a deal that doesn’t fit and more likely to make a concession to buy the car. Do all your research and comparisons at home, and try communicating by phone or email.
If you are buying a used car from a private seller, the seller is not a professional seller. By mentioning some used car statistics over the phone, you can take advantage before you see the car in person.
Before you start looking for a car, online or in person, assess exactly what you need from your car. If you’re looking for a commuter car, don’t waste your time looking at trucks. If you’re looking for a vehicle that can tow a trailer, look no further than sports cars. Shop for cars based on your criteria, buy browsing around.
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With the vehicle history report, you can check for any previous accidents, problems with the car, and the number of previous owners. Not checking the history of the car can lead to unexpected expenses.
You can check the car’s history through CARFAX, AutoCheck, or another service. Dealers usually pay for this service, but a private seller may not.
To find car prices for free, you can use resources like Kelley Blue book or Edmunds. These companies will provide an estimate of the actual cash value (ACV) of your car based on its condition.

You can get a free CARFAX report for any used vehicle listed on Carfax. Many leaders of used car listings also offer a free CARFAX report. To get this information you need the car’s VIN number or license plate. You can also often ask the seller to provide a CARFAX report.
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The best apps to use when you’re evaluating a car include Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. These apps provide used car price estimates so you can compare while car shopping. You can also use these estimates to help set the price of the car you are selling.
There are many risks to consider when buying a used car, but you can minimize those risks by taking several steps to avoid mistakes in the shopping and buying process. Take advantage of free resources like Kelley Blue Book that can provide information to help you make more informed decisions about buying a used car.
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Before traveling too far from home in your new-to-your-pre-owned vehicle, you’ll want to handle as many post-purchase responsibilities as possible.
An official title transfer is one of the first moves to make after buying a used car. No matter how long you’ve been driving, you don’t legally own your car or truck until you have the title and your name and address stamped on it.
If you purchased your vehicle from a dealer, they must have filed the required title paperwork and submitted payment on your behalf to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It may take a few weeks to process the transfer, after which the DMV will mail the new title to your home address.
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On the other hand, if you buy from a private owner, they must sign over the title to you when you pay for the car. You’ll need to get the title signed at your local DMV office (some states allow you to do this online), fill out some paperwork, and pay a fee to have the title in your name.
Keep in mind that if you finance your vehicle—whether through a dealer or by borrowing from a traditional credit union or bank—the new lien holder (lender) technically owns the car, so their name will appear on the title. Once you pay off the loan, they will transfer the title to you, making you the official owner.
You might argue that getting auto insurance is the first
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