Best Tips for Buying a Used Car

Get the used car of your dreams at the best possible price with the help of this guide.

The used car market is booming. In 2022 alone, there were 6,890,777 used car transactions — with a notable increase in used electric car sales. Simply put, people love used cars.

But why are used cars selling in the millions? It’s because used cars are:

• Cheaper
• Financially flexible
• Just as reliable as new cars

So, whether you’re a young first-time car buyer or an experienced driver who wants to make an upgrade, here are the best tips for buying a used car. Follow each tip closely to get that life-changing car you’ve always wanted.

1.   Do a Used Car Check

Before you buy any used car, it’s important that you do a car check. This only takes a few seconds and can be done online using your smartphone or laptop. Simply enter the used registration number and gain access to a ton of useful information about the car, such as the number of previous owners and whether or not it’s stolen. With this information, you can then make smarter purchasing decisions.

For example, you might be looking at a used BMW, only to conduct a car check and find that it’s an insurance write-off. In a case like this, you could dodge a bullet and look at other used BMW cars from different sellers instead.

2.   Compare the Mileage

Mileage is a big factor when buying a used car.

On average, a car should have roughly 10,000 miles per year. Therefore, if you’re looking at a used car that’s five years old, you would expect the mileage to be around 50,000. However, if the used car actually has a mileage of 100,000 plus, it’s a strong indicator that the car has been run into the ground and is too much of a risk to buy. After all, used cars with extremely high mileage levels are notorious for breaking down and experiencing faults.

3.   Try Facebook Marketplace

Traditionally, people buy used cars from used car dealers. It’s a tried and trusted method, but you should also try Facebook Marketplace, which is the new kid on the block. Through Facebook Marketplace, you can directly connect with drivers who are selling their cars. The best part about this is that it’s a super easy way to find some exciting deals, as many sellers use Facebook Marketplace as a fast way to make money (as they ultimately want a quick sale).

4.   Always Do a Test Drive

Countless people make the fatal mistake of not doing a test drive when they buy a new car, so don’t allow yourself to fall into the same trap. Usually, if a used car has any underlying problems, you’ll uncover them during the test drive, which is why doing a test drive is essential.

5.   Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate

Finally, don’t be afraid to negotiate once you’ve settled on a used car you like.

Through successful negotiation, you might be able to bring the price of the used car down from anywhere between 10% and 50%. The result is that you get to save tons of money while still getting your hands on the used car you want. Really, it’s a no-brainer – and the worst that can happen is that the seller simply declines your offer.

Good luck with buying your used car, and have fun!