Top 5 Used Car Buying Tips

If you need a vehicle to drive but don't want to pay the full price of a new model, then a used car will be your best bet.

Buying a used car can sometimes be strenuous because you don't have the guarantee of leaving the lot with a car that will last as long as you need.

Here are five tips that can help relieve the stress of used car shopping.

1. Buy a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle if possible
A certified pre-owned vehicle is as close you can get to driving a new car without leasing or owning it. These are used cars which meet certain criteria to be sold as certified by the dealership.

Though they have miles logged and are a few years old, they have been thoroughly inspected by the dealership to ensure you will not purchase a liability.

Although this is a more expensive alternative option to buying from the local used car lot, it is much safer, and you might see the investment pay for itself by being able to avoid costly repairs in the long-term.

2. Check vehicle history reports
Vehicle history reports are so accessible, and there is no excuse not to do your research. If you do choose to buy from the local used car lot, then you can make the smartest investment by purchasing the car that has a record of reliability.

Not all used cars are in a state of disrepair. There are countless reasons why a person would sell their car, and it's not usually because the car was broken.

Checking the vehicle history of a used car will help you discern the safe choices from the hazardous, so it is in your best interest to take the time to analyze the data.

3. Test drive the car
When you test drive a new car, it's usually to see whether or not you enjoy the ride. But when you test drive a used car, it's to see whether the car drives at all.

This is the perfect time to notice any faults with the vehicle by asking yourself these questions:

• Do you smell gas or an odd odor?
• Do the brakes squeak and do they require much pressure to stop the car?
• Are there any leaks or noises coming from under the hood?

Even if a vehicle has a clean history, it's important that you test it to see for yourself.

4. Have the car inspected
If you're not buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, then no one will check your car unless you have it done yourself.

Most reputable dealerships allow you to have the car inspected before you buy it as they understand how important of an investment a vehicle is. But if a dealer resists and urges you to buy without having an inspection done first, then there is likely something wrong with it.

You need to have a second, unbiased opinion on the vehicle to confirm that the car you choose will not be a risk to your safety.

5. Negotiate to get your best deal
As a buyer, you have influence because you decide how your money will be spent. You don't always have to take the sticker price to be final.

If you have researched, tested, and inspected the vehicle, then you should have a good idea of how much it's worth. Take all these points to the dealer and tell them why you think they should sell you the vehicle for less than their asking price.

Dealers are in the business of selling cars, so they will work with you to make a sale as long as the terms and prices are reasonable.

Consider these five tips when you are ready to buy a used car, so you can leave the lot knowing you made the most informed decision on your latest investment.

Ready to browse a huge selection of used vehicles right here in the Antelope Valley?

View used cars for sale in Palmdale and Lancaster, CA!