What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

Shopping for a used or certified pre-owned vehicle doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience for Willoughby drivers. Although at first it can seem like a lot of information to digest, when you know what to look for when buying a used car and what to ask when buying a used car, the experience becomes much easier to digest. Classic Volkswagen is here to help with our guide to what to look for when buying a used car. Check it out!

How to Buy a Used Car From a Dealer

Before we jump into what to ask when buying a new car in Bedford, let’s take a look at the steps you can follow that’ll make your shopping experience quicker and easier:

• Set a Budget: This goes beyond the price of your vehicle and should include the cost of ownership. That’s made of the annual costs of maintenance, fuel, taxes, interest on the loan, and replacing parts like tires. Overall, your monthly car payment shouldn’t exceed ten percent of your monthly income. Get your budget with our payment calculator.
• Find the Right Used Car: In addition to fitting your budget, the car you buy should meet your mileage expectations and have a clean vehicle history report. Make a list of cars that interest you, see what we have in our inventory that matches, and then research the make and model year in resources like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. That includes seeing what that car has sold for in the Chardon area.
• Test Drive and Inspect the Models: A test drive should give you a good idea of how you feel in a vehicle along with how the vehicle operates. Are you comfortable with everything in reach? Does the car make any unusual noises? At this time you should have the car inspected by an independent mechanic.
• Used Car Financing and Other Fees: Our finance department or your bank can help you explore your loan options and what the total cost will be once sales tax, registration fees, and your trade-in are calculated. This is also the time to discuss insurance needs and warranty coverage that might be available.

What to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Knowing the steps in buying a used car will help make the progress so much easier, as will getting answers to these questions about the used car you want to buy in Mentor:

• Is there a history of maintenance?
• Is the vehicle history report available?
• Do the amenities and features work like they’re supposed to?
• What is the ownership history?
• What is the vehicle’s mileage?
• Are there any current recalls on the vehicle?
• How was the vehicle priced?
• Can I take the car to a mechanic for an inspection?
• Do you have the title in hand?
• Is the car as is, or is it under warranty?
• Does this vehicle affect your insurance premiums?

Learn More About Buying a Car with Classic Volkswagen

At Classic Volkswagen we want your car-buying process to be easy and quick. Take a look at our car buying tips for more information on the car buying process and how to navigate it.