Buying a car is associated with lots of stress, doubts, and high expenses. You’re looking for a safe vehicle that will serve you well for years and will be just right for your needs. If you’re considering getting a used car instead of a brand new one, you have to brace yourself for a serious hunt! With MyCarNeedsThis we’d like to present to you 5 of the most important aspects to pay attention to while choosing a used vehicle.
1. The Price Is Not Everything
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The second-hand car market resembles treat-or-tricking — except that you can’t really foresee if the amount of money you’ve saved up will help you avoid car seller tricking you. Regardless of the price of a car — either suspiciously low or reasonably high, always be vigilant! The price itself can’t determine your final decision.
2. Your Ultimate Budget Is the Key
Setting the exact budget for buying a vehicle is crucial for your financial situation. If your automotive treat-or-tricking ends up with getting you tricked, you’re in real danger of sinking in a bottomless pit of repairs, unexpected visits at the mechanic’s, buying new parts, and other unpleasant surprises. With specified realistic financial possibilities of yours, you’ll stay down to earth and won’t get tempted by any one-off offers made especially for you.
3. Will You Have the Possibility of Returning the Car?
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This question is especially important to ask yourself if your budget is extremely limited since you won’t always have such a possibility, and definitely not always lawful. The exact return rights and requirements can vary from state to state. Repayment or replacement rules will differ from seller to seller.
You have more rights as a customer if you’re purchasing a used car from a registered car dealer. In some cases, you can even return a vehicle just because you didn’t like it eventually. Of course, you can also count on repayment or replacement if the purchased car appeared to have damages you only discovered while using.
However, don’t mistake this with the actual lemon law — lemon law applies to brand new cars only and it gives you the right to get 100% repayment from the automaker in case of serious damages you were not aware of when buying a vehicle.
4. What about Purchasing a Vehicle from a Private Party?
Unfortunately, this case is legally protected. Most of the sales arrangements are included in the contract between the buyer and the private seller. A private seller is not obliged to ensure the possibility of returning and repayment. And definitely not if the reason for the return would be consumer’s change of mind. The only exception covered by the law is a fraud. That is when the vehicle is not as described — hidden defects in particular.
5. Take a Test Drive
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A single test drive won’t reveal all the car’s advantages and flaws, obviously. However, you’ll have the opportunity to find out if there is a chance for making friends with your potential new vehicle.
If you’re not a car specialist, bring along a befriended car mechanic or automotive enthusiast. They will hear more of what the motor will have to say and you’ll be able to stay more focused on the ride. For the test drive, try to choose a possibly diverse road with bumps, curves, and different obstacles.
6. Stick to the Offers Close to Your Area
It’s so easy to let yourself get crazy by looking for a car that will suit your needs and personality best. The second-hand car hunt can turn into an obsessive search for the one. People are even going abroad just to get their dream car. Such an extensive used car quest is something we wouldn’t recommend.
Instead of looking for the impossibly perfect vehicle, browse offers near your area. Getting a car from your neighborhood or close region is far more responsible. You’ll save yourself the stress and effort of traveling and be more relaxed during the test drive.
Furthermore, the seller will stay within reach in case of complications, changing your mind or discovering hidden defects. It’ll be easier to get in touch and meet up to solve the problems.
Getting a second-hand car takes, in fact, just as much time and effort as choosing a brand new one. You need to be more watchful, though and do solid research before going car hunting but it’s worth it! Not only it’s a great opportunity for you to learn more about cars but also it’s like giving a used vehicle second life. Stay careful, ask questions, and enjoy the first rides with your almost new, four-wheel buddy.
