Thigs to consider when buying a used car

by Guido Nussbaum

You are ready to buy a used car? Make sure you know certain things about cars because there are dealers or even private people who try to sell cars overpriced or even damaged ones. This article deals with several details that you want to consider before buying a used car.

Always have a closer look at the car before buying it. This includes several parts of the car that we will discuss right here.

1. The mileage

An older car will have a higher mileage but sometimes you can find cars that were driven for less than 5000 miles a year. An average consumer will drive between 12,000 and 16,000 miles a year. Those cars with a high usage are usually those that won't make you happy.

2. Inspect the engine

Have somebody with you who knows a lot about cars because the engine of a car is the most important thing to look at before buying the vehicle. A good clean looking engine is not always an indicator for a good working engine. The owner might have washed it just to achieve a higher price for the car.

Always test drive the car, this way you might find a technical problem. People who know a lot about cars can sometimes tell, just from hearing the engine sound, if the engine is alright or not.

3. Check the body of the car

Look for rusty areas and damages, check the whole body of the car. Look at areas near the bottom, these are the places where the rust spreads first.

4. Frame damages

Make sure that the car did not have an accident. Some car dealers try to sell a damaged cars, sometimes even with frame damages. These can be very dangerous for the new owner, so check the car carefully.

5. The Tires

Make sure all 4 tires are in a good condition. Look at the profile and check if the material is in a smooth condition. Make sure there aren't any damages at the tires, they are your life insurance!

6. Safety Features

Some old cars don't meet today's safety standards. It is up to you what level of safety standard you choose with your used car, just make sure the ones that are included work.

7. The price

Before buying a car, you want to compare the prices for the car model that you desire. You can use the internet for this issue. This way you can protect yourself from overpriced car deals. Take your time to research the whole topic, don't be in a hurry when buying a car. If you take the time to compare different offers you will certainly get a better deal and a better time with you car.

If you don't know much about cars, it is strongly adviced to a companion who is an expert in this topic. There are just too many people out there who try to fool you so be prepared for it. Once you are sure that the car of your desire is in a good condition you can start to negotiate about the price. Find the right price for the right car and you can enjoy your new used car!