what pointers whould I know before buying second hand cars?

Question

first time for me to purchase a second hand car so I want to be sure that i am getting the right one without having to spend too much on maintenance. Anyone know what I need to ask the dealer about the car, please let advice me!!

Answer 1

The first thing you can do is lookup the VIN number on a site like www.carfax.com. It's like $20 bucks, but it will tell you if any accident or damage has occurred and been reported. Not all incidents will show up though, only those reported.

Also, look up the blue book value of the car in question. This will help you in negotiating a fair price. www.kbb.com

Just remember a few tidbits.
Test drive it. If the seller is hesitant to let you test drive it, then you should think twice. You can have it inspected by a mechanic of your choice. Again, if seller is hesitant, walk away.

A couple of things:
Look under the car and in the engine for a signs of damage. If you see rust, then you should think twice.
Check oil levels and color
Check coolant levels and color
Make sure it's clean.

And remember, if the price is significantly below the market price for that car, then there could be something really wrong with it, so be careful.

Answer 2

Research the make, model and year before you buy it.

Get the full maintenance records if available.

American cars don't age as well as most foreign cars. A used Honda or Toyota is less likely to cause you problems. That said, if the former owner abused it, it could have issues anyway.

Record the VIN and check it on http://www.carfax.com/ to see if it's ever been stolen, reported as flood damage or so on.

Take a test drive, and arrange to have a mechanic you trust go over the car BEFORE you buy. Most mechanics will charge for this.

Go to the library and look up old issues of Consumer reports to read the reviews of various cars.

Pick up the latest "Lemon-Aid" used car guide by Phil Edmonston. His research is exhaustive and you'll have a lot of information at your fingertips.

Remember that a lot can change in a car from year to year. Just because the 2003 model and 2005 models are spectacular with great maintenance records, doesn't mean the 2004 isn't a death trap and a money pit.

You'll generally get a better price from private sellers or small dealerships who buy used cars at auction. The down side is these cars won't come "certified" with warranties. This is where having a trusted mechanic go over the car comes in handy.

Do NOT buy a Ford. It's only been in the last couple years that Ford changed their stance on leaving life threatening defects in cars if the lawsuits would cost less than fixing the defect. People have been maimed and killed in Fords, because it was cheaper to let it happen than fix known problems.

Answer 3

The first thing is that no matter what you ask the dealer it won't guarantee that he isn't lying to you. That said the best advice is to take someone along who knows cars or before you sign the papers insist on an inspection by an independent mechanic of your choosing. Always run a car fax or auto check to catch the easy/obvious issues like salvage titles or flood damaged cars. These checks are not always accurate but they are helpful. I like cars that were owned by only one or two people depending on how old the car is. If a car has been titled to a bunch of people it is a warning sign that it may have something wrong with it and people are dumping it for a mystery problem. I don't like rental or fleet cars because people don't take car of something that isn't really theirs. You will also increase your chances of getting a good car if you stick to a car that is rated a best bet by Consumer Reports. A lot of people question the validity of these ratings but they are based on thousands of surveys of actual owners and the data is good. Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 4

1. THere are sites that you can go to where u can type in the VIN Number of the car (Vehicle Identification Number) and get the car's ENTIRE history.... has it ever been in an accident etc.

2. Ask the owner if he/ she has upkept the paperwork on the car....

3. Used foreign cars are more expensive, but better: Used Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans usually ROCK! Buicks are also great if you wan to buy American! :)

Good luck! And.... be prepared to sink an additional 500-1000 dollars in per year! It's inevitable when you buy used.

Answer 5

dont buy it from a dealer. you will be able to buy it cheaper from a private seller, and the private seller will usually be more honest with you. Take the car to a trusted mechanic to get it checked out. You wont see the things he will. a tire kick wont help you know if its a good car.


and if you want, email me at [e-mail] Id be happy to go through some cars with you, and find you a make and model thats reliable and well suited for you.

Answer 6

Bring a mechanic with you
Ask for a Car-fax( it gives you history of owners, accidents and such)
Don't by a car with over 70,000 miles on it
Look at the tires and make sure there relatively new
Best advice is to buy one from a little old who never drove the car more than 10 miles a week

Answer 7

I definitely have an SUV the place the tire is on the exterior. I bumped off it to maintain weight and advance visibility. I merelycontinual interior of reach plus I definitely have AAA. I definitely have examine that there are some new vehicles popping out that have not have been given spare tires. i anticipate for the comparable reason I definitely have chosen. lookup the VW R32. I definitely have additionally examine the Honda Accord Hybrid does not have a spare. in basic terms a restoration kit.

Answer 8

I have never purchased a used car without consulting BOTH of these websites:

www.kellybluebook.com

and

www.edmunds.com

They are a huge wealth of information from leading agencies who test them and most importantly the consumers themselves. I have bought three good used cars over the years by doing research on these sites. Good luck!!