Technology has made searching for a used car easy. You can sit at your computer in your pajamas and search for the car you want within a set radius of your home. Probably the most popular site for this is Auto Trader (www.autotrader.com), which allows you to search by make, model, body style, year, price and even specific features, plus set the distance from your Zip Code – within 10 miles or all the way up to 500 miles away or beyond.
But just like a lot of product selections these days, you may find that you have too many choices. Among all the used Subarus within 50 miles of your location, how do you know which one is the best car?
Don’t Know Much About History
A good way to narrow the field is by getting information about the vehicle’s history: how many owners it’s had, how often it was serviced, and if it was in an accident. CARFAX® reports are available from most reputable dealers, and if the car has been serviced at a new-car dealership, they may even be able to tell you all about its service history. One of the most important questions to ask the seller is, “Are all the recommended services up to date?”
Beware of getting a vague verbal response. Some less than reputable used-car dealers actually throw in a new air cleaner and then say that a major tune-up was done. This can have a big impact on your budget, especially if you’re coming up to a major service interval, such as 60,000 or 90,000 miles.
Knowing that a used car was well maintained increases your odds of trouble-free service in the years ahead. Don’t accept a vague answer. Get the facts.
Who You Gonna Call?
Many late-model used cars come with a warranty. But, of course, not all warranties are created equally. Don’t be fooled by too-good-to-be-true warranties that are issued by some company that you’ve never heard of in some far-off state. You need to find out not only what the warranty does and doesn’t cover, but also who stands behind it. If you have a covered breakdown in a month or two, who are you going to call to get it fixed?
A new-car dealer has a big advantage here, since their “brick-and-mortar” store and their reputation stand behind the warranty.
Would You Buy A Used Car Here?
When you shop from a private owner, or a corner used-car lot, it’s difficult to know how much you can trust the seller. New-car dealers have much more on the line. First, they’ve passed a big hurdle by getting a new-car franchise; second, their regular monthly sales depend on good word of mouth; and third, there are several independent sources that rate dealer quality.
Check with the local Better Business Bureau, and look for an “A” rating. Go to Dealer Rater online (www.dealerrater.com) and find a “certified” dealer with good ratings (5.0 is tops). And don’t be afraid to look the salesperson in the eye and simply ask about the dealership’s reputation.
What’s Best For You?
Getting the exact used vehicle that you want – color, mileage, price – is not easy, so you have to realistic in your expectations. To stack the odds in your favor, only shop at reputable dealers, and get credible assurances that the vehicle is as good as it’s portrayed. A well-maintained vehicle sold by a top-rated dealer is worth spending more for – it will save you money in the long run.
