What to Watch Out For When Buying a Used Car

Assessing your budget is the too often overlooked first step of purchasing a used car. Most of us begin by deciding what kind of car we want. However, you may actually find yourself with more options if you set a spending limit for yourself and only shop for cars within that limit. This will keep you from pining away for a luxury car that's out of your range. You want to enjoy your new car, not become a slave to the monthly payments.

Before you start shopping, though, do yourself a favor and check your credit score before someone else does. This way, you won't be blindsided by inquiries a dealer makes into your spending habits. Dealerships most certainly favor buyers with good credit histories, so if your need for a car is not urgent, and your credit is not great, find your credit report and try to work on improving it before you start planning to buy a car. Of course, there are ways around this if you simply cannot improve your credit before you start car shopping.

If you can save the money, you can buy from an individual seller and sidestep the paperwork. Just try to find a seller who has kept scrupulous records of the car's repair and maintenance history. Learn the Blue Book value of a car before you agree on a price, and remember that that price is based on the assumption that the car is in good running condition with no damage to the body or the interior. On the other hand, if the car is fully loaded, the price may be higher than you expect.

When you start weighing the virtues of different types of cars, you should think hard about what your driving habits are. If you carry a lot of cargo, for example, you should stick to a truck or a work van. If you generally have a lot of passengers, be they family, co-workers, or otherwise, a minivan or a station wagon with third-row seating will be the best choice. If you do a lot of driving on rough terrain or in inclement weather, you should definitely look at SUVs and four-wheel drive trucks. If you spend much of your time traveling, a hybrid or economy car will save you money on your gas bill. And if you plan on pulling a trailer or a boat, make sure you stick to SUVs and trucks with towing capacity.

Now that are sure of your price range and the kind of vehicle you need, the search for a used car will be quite a bit easier. Take the time to read consumer reports and talk to friends and family to gain a good understanding of what you might expect from a given car. If you look around and see a lot of one type of car on tow trucks, that should tip you off; likewise, if you have friends and acquaintances who have driven that type of car for years, then you have probably picked a winner.

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