The Real Deal When You’re Looking for a Used Car

New Details on How to Purchase the Right Used Vehicle

There’s no other process quite like buying a used car. In fact, most of us have had to make the usual walk around a used car, truck, or SUV at least once. But do you know what you’re really looking for? You know you need to stay in your budget and you want something you can depend on. So, what are the real details you need to know when buying a used car? Look at this handy guide on finding the right vehicle for you.

Tell Me the Most Important Feature of a Used Car

While we all want the best looking vehicle on the road, safety should always be your key priority when you’re looking for used cars in san diego. Manufacturers take safety seriously, and have been producing cars, trucks, and SUVs with advanced features like driver assistance technology as standard equipment. Regardless of your budget, it’s worth spending a little extra on features that keep you and your passengers safe.

Two of the best features to look for on a used vehicle are pedestrian detection and blind spot warning. These two safety features can help you avoid serious collisions and make crowded roads safer for everyone.

How Do I Look at a Vehicle History Report?

When most people think about a vehicle’s reliability, they automatically think about safety features. However, reliability has more to do with whether your car is going to get you where you need to go without breaking down. That’s why you need to look at the vehicle history report. Here are a few things to look out for when you’re checking out the history of your used car:

Junk, Salvage, or Loss Events

Your vehicle history report contains detailed information about severe accidents. If a used car has sustained major damage, been received by a junkyard, been salvaged, or declared to be a total loss by an insurance provider, it’s not worth the time to test drive.

Minor Damage

You can tell how well a used car was taken care of by looking at the minor damage on the history report. If there is hail damage, fire damage, water damage, or the car was manufacturer buy-back, it will be noted in the history report. It will also tell you if your used car was used commercially, involved in any criminal activity, or has been recalled for any reason.

Odometer

Unfortunately, tampering with the odometer has become commonplace in used car sales. You can safeguard yourself against this practice by simply checking the vehicle history report. Whenever a car is serviced, the odometer reading is recorded. Double check the report with what you see on the odometer.

Title

When you search for “used cars near me,” you ideally want an automobile that has only one or two owners, because it means the car has most likely received standard maintenance for most of its lifetime. By looking at the history report of your automobile, you can tell how many owners a car has had and what climates it has been driven in. If a car has had multiple owners and operated in different environments, look at something else.

What Should I Look at When I’m Walking Around a Used Car?

Everyone knows you need to walk around a used car to check for anything unusual, but what are you actually looking for? Here are some fast tips for inspecting the exterior of a used car like a pro:

• Check the suspension by pressing on the front bumper. If it bounces back, the car is worth a test drive, but if it’s difficult to press down or doesn’t bounce back, it’s not worth the test drive.
• Inspect tires and wheels to see if they have been properly maintained.
• Look for dents and other damage to the body, and ask how they got there.
• Look under the car for leaks.
• Open and close all the doors and firmly pull on the handles.

Give Me the Details About Test Driving a Used Vehicle

When you’re finally ready to get behind the wheel of a used vehicle, there are more things you need to be on the lookout for. Not only do you need to be aware of strange sounds and smells, you have to think about how comfortable your ride is. Ask yourself the following questions when you’re test driving an automobile:

• Is the car big enough for your family and can your pets ride safely in it?
• Do you like the audio system?
• Will this car be comfortable in every season, and how well can it handle bad weather?
• How easy is the vehicle to maintain?

After your test drive, take the time to turn all the knobs and dials in the car. Make sure the interior lights are in working order, the exterior lights work, and the windshield wipers work effectively. Check the exterior one last time for leaks and odd smells, before you consider buying a used car.

How Can I Be Surea Used Car Is Right for Me?

The only way you can be absolutely sure a used car is right for is by getting a second opinion from a trusted mechanic for a complete inspection. There isn’t an inspection that’s guaranteed to catch every flaw in a used vehicle. However, an expert eye can help you avoid buying a car that has serious problems and save you from paying for costly repairs.

Most independent inspections only take about an hour and are comprehensive, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. After that, you’ll be equipped with all the tools you need to buy a used car you can depend on for years to come.