Are you needing to upgrade your ride? Are you thinking about purchasing a used car? Good for you! There are so many reasons to buy used over new! That being said, there are things that you need to do in order to save money when buying a used car. 

These tips can help you get into a great used car, in your budget, which is a cost-effective way to own a vehicle. Unlike when I was younger, used cars typically aren’t cheap these days. That means that saving money where you can be of utmost importance in this expensive life experience. 

How to Save Money When Buying a Used Car

Set a budget

Determine how much you can afford to spend on a used car. Consider not just the purchase price but also ongoing expenses like insurance, maintenance, and fuel costs. Once you have set your budget, DO NOT GO OVER IT. It can be so tempting to do, but trust me, sticking to your budget is a far smarter way to go. 

Research The Market

Before you even start looking for a used car, be sure to research the market. Make sure you look into the make, model, and year of the car you’re interested in. Keep an eye out for average prices, common issues, and the vehicle’s depreciation rate. This will help you negotiate a fair price and avoid overpaying.

Also, be sure to check FB for groups for that particular car. I was in the market for a used vehicle. I really, really wanted a particular vehicle and typed the vehicle name into the search bar on FB. The first thing that came up was “Problems and Complains for XXXX (vehicle model).” Needless to say, I did not get that particular vehicle. 

Buy Private 

I know that this isn’t always the case, but I have only had one experience in my life when buying a used car from a dealership that ended up being cheaper than a private party. Private-party sales are almost always going to be cheaper. 

Run a Title Report on the Vehicle

To help avoid (or at least prepare for) future issues, run a Carfax or title report on the vehicle. This will let you know if the vehicle is up to date on its maintenance, if it has ever been in a wreck, etc.

Are you shopping for a new-to-you-car? When you head out to do your shopping, make sure to keep an eye on a couple of specific things about your potential new vehicle. 

I am 41 years old and until last year, I had never purchased a brand new car so I got pretty comfortable shopping for used cars. I have an automatic list of things to look for and it has served me quite well since I have never had a car that has totally died on me after purchase, they have all lasted quite long as a matter of fact. 

What to look for When Buying a Used Car

History of the Vehicle

As of a couple of years ago, this wouldn’t really be on my list other than to ask the current owner for any info and records. Lucky for us though, technology is pretty great and we now have the ability to run a VIN search on the vehicle (think: CARFAX), and get the vehicle’s history with it. This will tell you about any accidents, any recalls/repair, etc. 

Mechanical Condition

First thing is first! If you are serious about wanting a vehicle, have a mechanical inspection done on it before you buy. Sometimes they are even free!

Check the Tires

Yes, you need to know that the tires are decent or whether or not you will need to buy new ones soon, but more importantly, you need to make sure that the tire tread is worn evenly. Anything else can be a sign alignment issue, which is expensive and not fun to deal with. 

Check the electronics

Make sure that all of the lights, blinkers and gauges work. Trying to deal with electronics issues is never fun, so make sure you aren’t signing on for something like that. 

Check for Rust

Be sure to take a walk around the vehicle and check for rust in the body. Some little rust spots are harmless and fixable, but some are not. Make sure to avoid buying a vehicle with lots of rust.

What do you look for when buying a used car?