When you’re in the market for a new vehicle, buying a used car with a salvage title is one of the best values. A smart buyer who either is a skilled mechanic or knows one can find repairable vehicles for sale at a fraction of the cost of comparable models. Many dealers offer dead cars for sale that just need some commonly accessible parts replaced to make them run like new again.
A vehicle that suffers mostly cosmetic damage and still has an exceptional motor and transmission is a perfect candidate for saving money on a repairable used car. Many states make it easy to obtain a clean title with accident history on a vehicle after repairing it and getting it inspected. When all the lights, brakes, steering and other components work as intended, that car can leave with a clear title and a new license plate.
A car crash auction typically has many vehicles that need minor cosmetic and mechanical repairs. The parts to repair them are often affordable and might be obtained through used parts sources to make it more economical for skilled mechanics to restore.
Choosing to buy a used car can be one of the best decisions you will ever make. After all, more often than not, used cars for sale come with drastically lower costs, and they come without that sense of needing to treat your new vehicle like it’s glass and will break if you drive it slightly rough. In other words, they make a lot of sense for the financially savvy driver.
Having said that, buying used cars can come with a few headaches. Most notably, if you buy a car that works great at first but quickly breaks down, generally referred to as a lemon, then you’re stuck with drastically reduced used cars value and some significant repair bills to boot. If you’re thinking its time to buy used cars, whether for yourself or your soon-to-be high school graduate, keep these in mind to find used cars, without being taken for a ride.
How to Buy Used Cars
- Ask for Service Records
The first thing you should do when attempting to buy used cars is ask to see each vehicle’s service records, as MSN Auto suggests. Did the previous owner change the oil, rotate the tires, and change the brakes regularly? What other things haven’t been repaired recently that are known to break down? Keep all of these things in mind to get an idea of how much extra money you’re going to have to put into the car after you make the purchase.
- Research the Make and Model of the Car You’re Considering
Different types of vehicles have different quirks, as you well know. That’s why Jalopnik, the web’s source for all things auto, recommends you research each individual make and model of car before you buy. Subarus, for example, are known to last forever, whereas other models have earned a deserved reputation of being cash pits. Do your due diligence to avoid these issues.
- Check the Pricing Against Popular Websites
After you’ve been given a price on the car you’re considering, be sure to tell your dealer that you need some time to think it over and that you will get back to them within 24-hours. During that time, as Kelly’s Blue Book recommends, you need to start looking around the internet for price comparisons. How much do Edmunds, Kelly’s, and other well-known sites say the car is worth? If you don’t want to be taken for a ride financially, this is a crucial step.
Have you had a lot of experience buying used cars? What tips would you give to others? Sound off in the comment section below! Find more on this here.
