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Buying Used Vehicles: What To Look Out For

When buying used vehicles, buyer beware is the motto to follow. Of course, every day people buy thousands of used vehicles that are in very good condition and run exceptionally well. However, this is not always the case. Some people sell used vehicles knowing that there are major problems and allow the buyer to be 'stuck' with a bad deal. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering the purchase of a used vehicle.

First of all, when you are searching for a used vehicle, keep in the forefront of your mind the type of vehicle you want and the uses for the chosen vehicle. Don't let yourself get off track and buy a pickup truck when you really need a car that will seat six people. Don't let yourself get talked into buying a vehicle that gets terrible gas mileage when it is to be used for long-distance commuting. Decide before you begin your search exactly what you want in a used vehicle and how important each desire is to your overall goal.

As you begin to make calls in response to advertisements for used vehicles, ask plenty of questions before arranging to go see the car, truck or motorcycle. Inquire why the person that wants to sell the vehicle has decided to up to transportation up for sale. Did they buy a new vehicle and simply want to get the best price for their old one or did the vehicle begin requiring so many repairs that they found it necessary to dump the vehicle on someone else? Ask about the make and model as well as the engine size. Get all the details you can before you decided whether to make the trip to see the vehicle in person.

When you see the vehicle that is for sale, inspect it with a very critical eye. Check for oil leaks under the car as well as any evidence that oil has been recently removed or covered up. A leaking engine can become a major repair job. Look for damage to the vehicle, including rust damage that may have been poorly covered with bond-o and paint. Examine the area around the windows and chrome to see if rust is hiding in those areas, just waiting to break through after you buy the vehicle and get it home.

Open the engine compartment of the used vehicle. Look for signs of a previous electrical fire or any damaged wiring. Also pay attention to see if you see water or oil leaking onto the engine. This doesn't mean that the engine won't be dirty; engines become dirty and get oil on them over time. You want to look for puddles or large quantities of oil on the engine surfaces. Be aware if the engine is, however, too clean. If the engine has must been steam cleaned and de-greased, it could indicate that the engine had signs of leaking and this was hidden by a thorough cleaning.

Ask about the title to the vehicle. The person selling the vehicle should have a clear title to it. The numbers of the VIN on the title must match those on the vehicle exactly. If they do not and you want to buy the car, truck or motorcycle, tell the owner that you will be happy to close the deal once they correct the title problem. Don't let anyone convince you that you can resolve the title issue after the sale easily. You could end up with a vehicle that can't be titled and, therefore, that you do not legally own.

Check the NADA price guides for the type of vehicle you are considering for purchase to get an idea of the price range that is average for this make and model. Of course, condition and other factors come into play with pricing a used vehicle, but the price range will let you know if you are being asked to pay significantly more than the vehicle is worth or if the price is so low as to raise red flags.

Ask about the maintenance history of the used vehicle you are thinking about buying. The owner that is selling the vehicle may have an extensive set of maintenance and repair records to show you exactly what has been done to take care of the vehicle as well as what parts have been replaced due to wear and tear or breakings.

If you find a good used vehicle that you want to buy, begin negotiating for the best possible price. Most people that list a car, truck or motorcycle for sale advertise an asking price and are really willing to accept a price that is slightly or significantly lower. It never hurts to ask for a price reduction. Depending on the how badly you want that particular vehicle, you may want to agree to the asking price if the owner will not provide any reduction at all.

By employing the motto 'Buyer Beware' when shopping for a used vehicle, whether you want to purchase a car, motorcycle or pickup truck, you will remind yourself to remain on the lookout for any signs or signals that might indicate that something important about the vehicle is not being mentioned. There is no legal requirements for an owner to reveal anything they happen to know to be wrong with a vehicle they place on the used vehicle market, so it is entirely up to you to use due caution in buying used vehicles.