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Buying a used car can feel like a major hassle for most people. Learning how to save on your next used car by using this easy to follow guide will help you through that process. Don’t let buying a used car overwhelm you, print out this article and bring it with you the next time you go car shopping.

How to Save on Your Next Used Car

Why do people buy used cars? Because overall, buying a used car is far less expensive than buying new. When you buy a new car, the moment you drive it off the lot, you’ve just lost 20 to 30% of the value of the car. That’s like throwing good money out the window. Instead of buying the car that just rolled off the factory lines, buy a car that’s just a few years old, with under 30,000 miles under the hood, and you’ve just avoided that horrendous depreciation. Add to that the fact that used cars are now lasting owners to well over 150,000 miles, and the fact that it costs much less in registration costs and taxes on a used car, and you have a perfect list of reasons why buying a used car makes much more sense financially.

Paying Less for a Used Car

In its simplest form, used car dealers make money by buying cars from auction houses or from other wholesale sources, and then marking up the price in order to generate profit. In general, dealers mark a car up $2,000 for every $10,000 in price. This amount can vary from dealership to dealership, so check with an auto broker for a more accurate projection in your own local area. In addition, some dealers even tack on a “processing fee” which can range from $100 up to $500 in some cases. Some dealers will cave in and remove the fee if you ask nicely. Others won’t budge. If they won’t remove the fee, either demand a reduction in price elsewhere, or walk out and shop somewhere else.

Paying Less for a Used Car

The one aspect to buying a used car that you don’t have to deal with when you buy new is whether or not there are existing problems with the car, and whether or not any work was necessary to get the car to proper working condition. If the dealer claims that the car required a certain amount of work, ask for service records that show the actual cost of the work. Secondly, check the basics before you even bother entertaining the notion that you’re going to buy the car. Check wear on tires, if wear is very uneven, there’s an alignment issue. Check the oil, if it’s very dark black or oddly discolored, walk away very quickly. The car has either rarely had the oil changed, or there’s a serious engine problem. If all of the basics check out, then you’re ready to negotiate.

Step 1 – Test Drive

The dealer says the car runs great. That’s wonderful, but don’t take his word for it. Take the car for a fifteen to thirty minute ride on both side streets (to test the acceleration and braking), and on a highway or on a road with a speed limit over 50 (to test for good alignment and steering.) The odds are good that if there are any problems, one of these driving conditions will reveal it.

Step 2 – Check it Out

Just because a car runs great doesn’t mean there could be problems down the road. Particularly if the vehicle has been in an accident or comes from a region of the country that was flooded, you could experience system problems only months or a year down the road. This is where the value of a Carfax report comes in. Make sure to submit for a complete report on the car, based on the VIN number on the dashboard under the window on the driver’s side of the car. The Carfax report will reveal any accidents the car has been through.

Step 3 – Negotiate

Yes, negotiate. This can feel like a nightmare for people who aren’t used to it, but the process can be simple for someone who is experienced. You pick a price and stick with it, regardless of what anyone says. If you’ve done your research, you know the actual value of the car and what the markup of the dealership is, so you know how much flexibility they should have. Don’t let the dealer start talking about payments, ultimately you want to get the overall cost of the car to the lowest value possible. Payments simply don’t matter. Decide on a price, ask for it, and stick with it. If they will not cooperate, simply leave and find a dealership that will. Leave your phone number though, because they will likely be calling you back.

Step 4 – Use an Auto Broker

The single most effective way you can save the most on your next used car purchase is to contact a used car auto broker. Brokers have the industry experience, the negotiating ability, and the insider information to obtain the best possible deal on the car that you want. In fact, most brokers are able to obtain prices that most consumers could never get on their own, and the broker passes those amazing savings on to you for a minimal fee. An auto broker will save you the time it would take you to find the car that you want, and the frustration of trying to negotiate the price that you want. Ultimately, if haggling for a used car price sounds like far too much trouble than it’s worth, then an auto broker is perfect for you.

For more information about quality used cars, including vehicle listings, vehicle information and even used car credit information, visit Harry Coker at www.blueskymotors.net.

Buying a car, new or used, is a big expenditure. Unfortunately, most people go to the car dealership thinking they have to pay the full sticker price of the car, not realizing there are many ways to save money. It’s also important to know how the dealers make their money on each car sale. Such knowledge will help you get the very best price on your next vehicle.
1) Know how much the car is worth.
Do your homework and research your car choices before attending a new car sale or purchasing a used car. You’ll want to know the true value of the car you wish to buy as well as the value of your current car if you wish to trade it in.
Visit the factory website of the model of car you want to see what the factory list price is for each vehicle. For example, Ford’s website (http://www.ford.com/) offers an online vehicle showroom where you can choose your next new car and pick the price range.
Go to several different dealers and research different deals on the same car before purchasing it. A lot of dealers’ prices will differ on the same make and model. Check out the wealth of information on http://www.carsguide.news.com.au which offers price comparisons on your new or used car as well as tips to help you when you purchase.
The Red Book (http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/) is an excellent resource to see how much a used or new car is worth. Car dealers make money by marking up the price, as do private sales. Knowing that a car is unfairly priced will help you to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
2) Get the proper financing.
Car dealers can make a bundle of money selling you more car than you can afford by offering you financing for a longer period of time. You can also expect to pay more for lease options if you’re not careful. Banks and finance companies typically offer a lower interest rate than car dealerships. You can also look into financing from the manufacturer of the car for sale—you’ll pay much less in interest than on a loan from the dealer.
Banks take longer to grant approval than finance companies, which can often approve your loan online in minutes.
Never pay for a new or used car on a credit card, as you’ll be paying lots more in interest rates. One of the very best tactics is to get pre-approved for the purchase of a used or new car at a financing institution before you go car shopping. When you’re shopping, don’t tell the car sales associate. A lot of times the car dealer will cut the price of your car, thinking they’ll make money on the financing later. It will be too late to change the price on the car once they realize you already having financing.
3) Buy at the right time of the month.
Most car salesmen work on commission and get incentives for selling the most cars. By the end of the month they know if they need to up their sales and they’ll be more persuasive and aggressive to get that one last sale. However, you can use this need to sell to your advantage.
Visit a car dealership at the beginning or first of the month for an initial visit, but not to buy. This takes some of the pressure off because the salesmen aren’t going to be as persuasive to have you purchase something you can’t afford or don’t want.
Visit several car dealerships to inspect the assorted car sales and take plenty of notes. Then return to the car dealership of your choice at the end of the month when dealers are eager to make a quick car sale. Chances are you’ll get a great deal on a fantastic new or used car.
4) Forgo the extended warranty and extras.
You don’t need an extended warranty, though the salesman will make you worry and fret until you shell out the extra money to pay for the warranty. Most of the time, if you care for your car properly and maintain it according to the factory specifications you won’t need an extended warranty.
If you really think you should purchase one, wait as long as possible. Most companies allow you to wait until you’re close to the end of your regular warranty to purchase one. By then you’ll know how much maintenance your vehicle needs. If it’s a lemon by nature then an extended warranty might be a good idea in the long run.
You don’t need most of the extras offered, like rust-proofing, paint protection, tinted windows and life insurance. Educate yourself about what you need and what you don’t to keep from paying unnecessary charges.
Verify how much you’re paying for hidden charges such as shipping and preparation charges. Most of the time you can negotiate these charges down in your car sale.
5) Consider Used vs. New
New cars depreciate quickly the first two years of ownership. In fact, expect your $20,000 new car to cost you almost $7,000 in depreciation and interest rates alone (with a 6.9% loan) during that time. When you buy a used car the original owner has already absorbed the depreciation costs, leaving you with a good car that’s worth every penny.
However, the car sale market may be so slow that good deals can be had when buying a new car over a used car. It’s essential to be aware of how much car you can afford to buy and to guard against getting suckered into buying more car than you can afford.
Used Car Purchase Tips:
The uncertainty about a cars history–whether it’s been well taken care of or possibly damaged by an accident–can make some people leery about buying a used car. When buying used, it’s important to look for a car that has been properly maintained and an owner who has the records to prove it.
When buying used consider forgoing the financing and instead buy outright. Financing is a way car dealers to make money off of used car sales. Opting to pay for it in full puts money in your pocket.
Don’t be afraid of high mileage. A car driven by Grandma on weekends could actually have more problems because an idle car usually has problems associated with sitting around, such as plugged lines or rusty breaks. If you’re unsure about buying a used car because you don’t know enough about how cars work, consider spending the money to get a vehicle inspection from a reputable garage.

Car selling is a very challenging job but if acted wisely it can be executed with ease and convenience. Most of the time car owners sell their cars after using it for three to four years and then switch over to new cars. This has gradually fostered the used car segment in India. Today there are many prospective car buyers who are willing to buy used cars but always wait for the best used car option.

Indian car market is a customer-oriented market that is dominated by the needs and aspirations of the Indian car buyers. These buyers when planning to buy a new car or used car always look for something that is best and is available at a cost-effective price. They also look for the best, straight-forward, and friendly dealer on whom they can actually count on with full trust. So, if you wish to sell your car in India you should be aware of the psychology of Indian car buyers.

Here are top 15 tips to help you sell your car in India:

Buying a used car isn’t as nearly as fun as buying a new car, we all know that. I’ve been through three buy used car experiences up to now. The goods news is that I learned how to negotiate better and even a little bit about cars. The bad news is… I wish I had known the buy used car tips I know now before.The Real Deal

Ok so, the real deal with buying used cars is to make sure you aren’t getting scammed or that your really paying for what the seller says it’s worth. Many times have I heard people say that all the car lights work and then when I want to check it out… more than one light isn’t working. Here I’m going to share with you some of the tips I’ve learned from my experiences, but don’t limit yourself to these. Ask people you know for more tips because you never know who has had to deal with buying a used car.

- Make sure all the lights work

- Get the engine checked out by a trusted mechanic

- Look for oil leaks

- Turn off the radio and lower the windows while test driving it for peculiar noises

- If you can, drive uphill with the air condition turned on to the max

- Push the accelerator fast and hard to see if the car responds well

- Make a hard break to test the breaks

- Check for torn-up seats

- Test the speakers and radio, as well as antenna reception (I once bought a used car that had the antenna but didn’t have a cable to connect to the radio – of course I found out about that later!)

- Check the trunk and see if all the tools are there, as well as the spare tire

Those are just some of buy used car tips. I’m pretty sure you can find a lot more, but I think these are must-haves on your check list when buying a used car. You should be very careful because you don’t want to issue a used car loan and then the car turned out to be a piece of junk, right?

When looking to buy a second hand car you should be extra careful and vigilant as purchasing a car from a private sale does not usually come with the reassurance of a warranty.

Used cars have one major advantage over buying a brand new vehicle and that is the price. Used cars, even if only a year or two old are substantially cheaper than new cars. From the moment a vehicle is driven off a dealer’s forecourt the depreciation begins and in the early days the price drop is disproportionate to the vehicles actual wear and tear.

If you are not mechanically minded yourself it is probably a good idea to take someone, preferably a mechanic with you or better still instruct a specialist engineer to examine the vehicle on your behalf. Although this will increase your budget it will not only give you peace of mind but will undoubtedly be money well spent if a serious problem is discovered.

Take your time and do not rush into a purchase just because you think you will lose the sale. Remember there are thousands of used cars out there to choose from.

Decide on your budget and stick to it! Make sure you have included tax, insurance and any accessories you might need on top of the actual cost of the car in your budget. Make sure you are buying the right car for your needs. If it’s a family vehicle you are looking for to ferry the kids around, don’t get carried away looking at two seater roadsters. It’s easily done!

Make sure you research thoroughly and buy several magazines and guides from your local newsagent. This will help you have a better understanding of prices and market trends, as you will find thousands of used cars listed.

When viewing any used cars make sure you do it in the daytime preferably at the seller’s home address. Daytime viewings will ensure that any defects to the bodywork are easily noticed and viewing the vehicle at the seller’s home address will give you an idea of how the vehicle has been maintained. If the vendor wants to carry out the transaction elsewhere demand that it is a public place. This is for your own safety, as you do not know who you will be dealing with.

It is quite normal for used cars to have had several prior owners so don’t be put of by this, but do check the cars log book and service history carefully making sure the documents are in order and all the dates and records check out.

Carry out a HPI check to verify the cars history. You will be able to determine if the vehicle has any outstanding finance or if it has been stolen. Also this check will determine if the vehicle has been subject to an insurance write off or if the mileage has been altered.

Ask the vendor as many questions as possible about the cars history, especially the reason for sale. That said, do not take any reply as an absolute truth!

Take as long as you want with your inspection

Checking the Interior

Ensure all the electrics, including mirrors; windows and central locking are in good working order. Test the seatbelts click into their sockets and retract properly. Check the wear on the foot pedals, as this will give you an indication if the vehicle has covered an excessive amount of miles. Lift any seat blankets, which may be hiding burns and stains. Don’t be afraid to check under floor mats and upholstery for rot and corrosion. Feel around for any damp or water residue and when inside have a good sniff for any mould or pet smells, as this is a sure sign there may be stains or damp lurking somewhere.

Exterior inspection

Look down the sides of the vehicle as some used cars would have suffered the odd bump or two in their time. Check to see if the panels are in line and free from any filer. Make sure there are no irregular gaps between the doors, bonnet and boot. Check the colour match on each panel for signs of a respray. Feel under the wheel arches and seals for signs of rust.

Most used cars will need some money spent on them and normally this will be tires and exhausts. The minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm so check all the tyres have at least this depth and factor replacement costs into your budget if they are near the mark. Inspect the exhaust, and check that it is not noisy or blowing.

The Engine

Check the engine oil and ensure that it is brown and transparent. Make sure the paintwork in the engine bay matches that of the cars exterior. Check for leaks on hoses and pipes before and after the test drive.
When the engine is started it should idle smoothly. Listen carefully for any irregular rattles or grinding sounds.

The Test Drive

Don’t be afraid to ask for a test drive, preferably with you driving the vehicle.
If possible drive the vehicle on a variety of road surfaces so you can feel the cars handling. Check the suspension is solid and the vehicle holds a true line. Listen for any grinding when the steering wheel is at full lock. Once the vehicle is moving listen for any irregular engine noises.

Closing the Deal

Once you are satisfied the vehicle is for you and it has passed the above checks do not be afraid to haggle over the price. Most sellers of used cars are prepared to negotiate over the original asking price. Where possible try to get the seller to include any extras or accessories.
An important point to remember is not to feel pressured into buying a car no matter how good the sales patter is.

If you have any doubts about the purchase then DO NOT BUY as there are many other used cars out there to choose from.

Owning a brand new car is exciting. But financially speaking, it makes more sense to buy a used car. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it loses a great portion of its value. This is because your car is no longer “new”.

Still like any journey, with the right guide to buying a car, one can breeze through the experience with flying colors. Below is a guide to getting better car buying deals not only in terms of getting high quality cars but also in being aware of rebates and discounts. Both online and offline transactions were mentioned and discussed as some people are already doing their shopping online.

Read on and see for yourself which car buying guide you already know and which one you just heard for the very first time.

Car buying guide #1: List your requirements and stick to it.

Knowing what you need and what you want already takes you halfway the decision-making process. List your requirements and search for a perfect match out of the hundreds of car models available. You can do this in the old fashion way by visiting the car dealers near your area or the new age way through the wonders of the World Wide Web. One car buying guide which you should remember is to never go to dealers without having a car in mind. Websites like CarDirect.com has a handy research tool that can help you refine your search

Car buying guide #2: Have a budget and stick to it.

When you have already decided on your car model, you can now look into the prices being offered by various car dealers. One car buying guide that is really important is to do price comparisons, which are available online at InvoiceDealers.com or CarsDirect. You can also ask advice from people who have bought cars in the last five years. Chances are, car dealers still have the same practices.

Car buying guide #3: Be on the look out for special sales and promos

Most car dealers and even websites will always come up with a promo or a special deal guaranteed to outsell the competition. You can also leave your contact details and ask the car dealers that you have visited to inform you of upcoming promos. That way, you will stay up to date and would be able to compare different deals offered by different companies. One can also try looking for great deals over the Internet. Some websites like ” Auto Info Online ” can also give you a lot of information towards buying a car.

New vs used. Which car is right for you? Consider the following.

Owning a brand new car is exciting. But financially speaking, it makes more sense to buy a used car. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it loses a great portion of its value. This is because your car is no longer “new”.

New cars lose about 40% of their value within 3 years, then depreciation starts to slow down. Why not buy a used car and allow someone else to take that depreciation hit?

The previous owner will have absorbed the steepest part of the depreciation cycle. At that point the costs of owning and operating the car will be reduced. The money you save on depreciation will surely go a long way.

Another benefit of buying used is lower cost. By buying used you pay less. You will also save on financing costs, insurance premiums, registration and licensing fees. You don’t have to worry about paying sales tax.

As with everything else there are a few downsides to buying a used car. There are greater chances for costly unwarranted repairs. You may very soon have to do major maintenance on your car, including replacing tires, battery, brakes, muffler, and perhaps even the transmission.

A used car is usually less reliable. You don’t know exactly what you’re getting into and how the previous owner treated the car. However, every situation is different and some used models may actually be far more reliable than some new ones.

If you can pay cash, go the new car way. Enjoy the feeling of knowing you’re the original owner of a new car in mint condition. Nothing can replace that feeling.

Otherwise do not hang your hat higher than you can reach. Practice financial prudence. Save your money and comfort yourself knowing that one day you will be able to afford that dream car. One day when money is no object.

About the author:

Ron Dutta (AutoInfoOnline.Com)

Well, the first thing you will need to decide is when you need to buy a car. Most second hand car purchases are decided by circumstances, IE something has happened to bring on the change of vehicle, eg car accident, growing family, extra members of the family, current car failed its MOT or broken down etc etc…

In this article we will only be talking about used cars from garages because deals on new cars change so quickly depending on the marketing programmes available at the time.

We hope that this arcticle helps you in your quest for a new car. I have included a link to our website which there are over 100 quality used cars available for you to view.

www.whitleybridgecarsales.co.uk ; www.eastbournevauxhall.co.uk

Used cars are a great way to get a vehicle at a discount price. Prior to purchasing used cars, the buyer should research thoroughly to determine if it is better to go through a dealer or a private buyer. When going through a private buyer, you may be able to get the vehicle for much cheaper but there is also usually no warranty available.

If you need to finance the vehicle, most private sellers will not accommodate this. You will have to go through your bank or credit union in order to get financing. Dealers, however, often offer financing on their used cars. Just like with new cars, there are many sources of funding available and if you have good credit will be able to qualify easily for a loan. Some dealers also specialize in financing used cars for people who have poor credit including late payments and bankruptcies. They will require a significant amount that will go down on the car and then require weekly payments that have to be paid on time.

The payments are typically affordable but the interest rate on the loan is usually very high. If at all possible, you should avoid buying used cars and financing them in that manner. However, for people who are in need of a car and have severely damaged credit, this may be the way to go. You will need to analyze your budget and determine how much you are willing and can afford to spend. A buyer can research make, model and prices of vehicles by looking at local newspapers, magazines, or searching the Internet.

You can get Blue Book values of used cars to determine if the asking price is reasonable or not. A buyer should look at the gas mileage they would get from the prospective vehicle, as well as frequency of maintenance and cost of repairs and parts. If a car was maintained well, it is probably in better condition and will last you a lot longer. Lemon laws vary from state to state but usually there is a requirement for a change of heart to occur within the first couple days of the sale.

When you decide on buying a used car, make sure you do not make mistake of buying a lemon. A simple visual inspection should be enough to help you stay away from bad used cars. Naturally, it cannot replace a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic, but it can help you decide whether to proceed with car checkup or not.

1. Check out the odometer/mileage. See if the numbers there are reasonable. Average mileage for personal cars is around 15,000 miles per year. In case, that mileage ad up, look for the overall car condition.

Until just a few years ago just by looking at the dashboard anyone could have easily seen if the mileage has been tampered with. Today however if professional does it, not even other mechanics will be able to tell the difference. However, there are always a few “smart” DIY mechanics that might try to scam you.

In that case look for any scratching signs around the odometer, see if any of the screws are missing or are mismatched. Look closely at the drivers seat for any wearing signs, also check the floor mat (not very indicative because you can always buy a new one) and the pedals (excellent place to look for, not many scammers will go as far as restoring the new look).

See if the car you plan on buying has an oil change sticker and if it matches the mileage.

2. Check the vehicle VIN (vehicle identification number). Use VIN to get a complete vehicle background report. You can get information such as its repairs, accidents, assembly place, and odometer history.

You can even find out if the car has been used as rental, leased, used as taxi or if a lien is paced against the car in question. However before you decide to cash out and pay for the report check first if you have the right VIN.

You can find the car VIN in one of three places, vehicle registration card, manufacturers label (look at the drivers side door). See if there is a VIN in all those places and compare to see if it is the same. Look also for any signs of VINs being tampered with, changed or missing VIN is a sure sign of a car being stolen.

3. Look for the signs of bodywork. Some of the bodywork signs are parts where there is mismatch in paint, paint feels rough, look if there are ripples or bumps in the paint or if there is paint over spray in the seams.

Next, you should look for signs that the vehicle has had bodywork done. Signs such as these are usually sign of a recent car accident.

4. Check for signs of rust, fluid leaks, tire wear (check if tire wear is equal on both left and right side, also tires can be very expensive to replace just after the car purchase).

Check also condition of the cars interior, check if all the signal lights work and are not burned out, and see if all the switches work as they should. The point behind your car check up is to see if the car has been maintained properly.

If after these checkups, you find the car to be in good shape your next step should be to take it to a mechanic for a thorough inspection.

In buying used cars, it is wise to turn to friends, relatives, family and officemates. It can save you a lot of money, which is normally received as commissions by sales agents.

Giving priority to the used vehicles that your friends or family recommend can give you better information about how the car was handled. You can also get clearer details about the quality of the used car. You can also ask a mechanic friend to come see the car with you.

If none of the used vehicles recommended by your friends appealed to you, you can turn to the classified ads of your local newspaper. There are many used cars for sale listed there. You can narrow down your search by knowing the type of car you want to buy, the model, the engine type, mileage and some features like color and other accessories.

The type of car may include four-door, two-door, hatchback, station wagon, sports utility vehicle, sports car, pickup truck, two or four-wheel drive and so on.

You can list the ones that you think can pass your standards and contact the owners to ask questions that were not answer in the listing. If you like the answers you get from the owner, request an appointment to see the auto. This can save you time and effort.

If you have access to the internet, you can visit free classified sites such as Craigslist. You can also try looking at other websites devoted to selling used cars. If you are not comfortable with it, you can first type the phrase: “how to buy a used car” on the search box. Then your search engines will load the results of sites that offer tips and step-by step guides on how to buy a used car.

There are many dealers of used vehicles that offer manufactured-certified pre-owned cars. Generally, they may charge you more. However, when you buy a preowned car, it comes with a limited warranty.

List the top 10 choices and contact the owners for an appointment, it is wise if you bring someone who is an expert at cars. Take notes for each used car that you see so you can compare notes with all the cars you see.

Part of the standard operating procedure is to request for a photocopy of maintenance records from the owners. There are also websites that make this information readily available as you view the used cars.

Ask for its vehicle identification number and run a check on the Carfax to know about its actual mileage, number of transfer of title ownership, and some information such as incidence of being wrecked or salvaged.

While doing the inspection, you can ask for a drive test. Your friend and you can do the test driving to better understand the real condition of the car engine, alignment condition, and the capability of the brakes. Check everything like the headlights, tail lights, hazard lights, brake lights, carburetor, air-conditioning system, heater, windows, tires and rims, and the radio of the used cars.

When you have found the used car of your choice, make a deal with the owner and get the necessary papers, forms including the bill of sale, and the car title. Some used cars dealers handle the paper work for you.