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Shopping for a used car is never easy. There are so many things that one must put into consideration when wanting to shop for a car. If you are interested in buying a used car but have no idea how to do so, then you have come to the right place.

Here is an overview of steps that one needs to take if they want to buy a used car.

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Identify a Budget

There are only two options one can choose when buying a used car. Which is either through taking a loan or paying cash. Paying cash is an easier way to develop a budget and ensures that one does not use all their savings.

 It is important to put aside some money for insurance, registration and possible repairs which may happen in the future.

In some cases, loans are taken to buy a fancier and more expensive car. Getting a pre-approved car loan makes the buying process smoother and sets you in a higher position in a car dealership.  

To know the best amount for a car loan, one should use an auto loan calculator. A calculator will plan out the specific money required for all expenses of the car and three years down the road after using it.  It is most ideal if the car loan does not take up 20 per cent of one’s income or salary.

Pick the Right Option

One needs to take some time and think about what the purpose of this car is and how you plan to use it in the future.  

For instance, if one has a family and would be driving their kids around, it is important to take note of how safe your kids will be in the car. Therefore, it would be good to analyse all the different types of cars and what suits best for your situation.

Check Ownership and Features

Generally, most used cars have different experiences and have been used differently. Some may have been used for up to 10 years while other cars for only 2 years. Thus, one must check the features of the car and how reliable it is to perform for the new customer.

On top of that, checking the features of the car goes a long way. It can affect how much one would spend in the future in terms of repairs, fixes, and mechanics for the maintenance of the car. It may be cheap to buy it at first, but not necessarily in the future.

Assess the Car’s Price

After selecting the perfect car, it is now time to assess the prices and value of the car in the market. Once one gathers all effective information such as age, year, make and model, mileage, options, and condition level, now can start to negotiate properly and effectively.

Inspect the VHR

Once assessing the market value of the car and you are fully ready to buy it, it is essential to look into the car’s vehicle history report to receive information if the car has gone through any serious accidents or has lost complete insurance. If so, it is recommended to try other car options as more funds would be required to cover a new car insurance.

A car’s VHR may be free at times but can also come with a fee depending on the dealership. It is better to be safe than sorry, which is why paying for the fee and receiving the car’s report saves one from plenty of hassle in the future.

Communicate with the Seller

It is good to build a rapport with the seller so that further questions can be asked about the car. At times, advertisements may not include all the information about the car, so some things needed to be cleared up so that everything is fully covered.

Inspect the Car after A Test Drive

Once you have a good relationship with the seller or car owner, take the car out for a test drive. This allows you to get a first-hand experience with the car and understand the features better. It is better to bring the car through different routes to see if everything works perfectly.

From there onwards, bring the car to a mechanic so that they can check for the car’s parts and features to see if there are any repairs to be done, or if everything is set in place.

Close the deal

With research done and all the information you need, it would be easy to negotiate the best price especially if it is rational. After the negotiation, take note of the paperwork such as insurance and tax, so that the car is ready to be driven.

Here at Car Geeks, there are many types of car one can buy from and plenty of other services we can provide, so that you face the best experience with your future car. Contact us today for more information!

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