There are so many factors at play when you're in the market to buy a used car — pricing, age, value, location, and condition of the vehicle.
When shopping for used cars, it is important to know that the car you’re considering is reliable and in good condition to drive. With so many choices available in the market, finding the right car can be a challenge. You wouldn't want to go home with a damaged or a stolen vehicle. You can discover most of the stuff you need to know about a vehicle by running a free VIN decoder.
Here are things to look for when buying a used car to make sure you don’t end up buying a lemon.
To do a VIN search, first you'll need the car's vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is a standardized 17-digit character code (letters and numbers) uniquely assigned to a vehicle. Often referred to as the car’s DNA, it provides specific information about each vehicle.
Check the VIN number and get the vehicle history report. You’ll get a lot of valuable information this way, such as whether the car was stolen, whether it was in a major accident, had major repairs done, and if the car has liens on it or not.
Many used cars are offered in the market even after going through natural disasters such as storms and floods. A car may look clean but it has been through a significant damage. With the vehicle history report on hand, you can make a smart buying decision.
Is the seller offering you a price that is considerably lower than the going rate for similar vehicles of the same make, model, and year? A few hundred dollars lower than the market value could be fine, but if the price reduction is substantial, you could be looking at a stolen car. What you should do is educate yourself first on what a realistic price range would be before going shopping.
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When purchasing a used car, it is important to check the paperwork to make sure that the car you’re about to buy is clean. Here is a list of documents needed to protect you from being ripped off.
Do a physical inspection of the car and look for obvious problems such as chipped paint, dents, uneven tire treads, broken lights, and cracked windshields or windows. Then dig deeper and try to look for body parts that don’t quite match up with the rest of the car. Also inspect the car’s windshield, dashboard, lights, door knobs, handles, and gauges.
Open the door and take a good whiff of what the car smells like. If you smell anything like mold or mildew, it could mean the car has undergone flood damage or sprung a leak at the very least.
Don’t just look at the seats; sit on all of them. Try bouncing on them a bit to check the springs and if there are any odd noises. Are the seats adjustable? If they are, check to see if they are working and if you can easily adjust the driver’s seat to your preferred position.
Go ahead and try the other controls. Check to see if all the lights in the instrument dashboard light up. When you actually start the car, check if there are any warning lights still on. If there are, it could mean some issues that need to be fixed.
Speaking of controls, try out all the switches and buttons you can find. Since this is a used car we are talking about, it is common to find some controls that don’t work anymore. At the very least, the controls for the lights, windows, and heater (or air conditioner) should function properly.
Don’t forget to check the tires and suspension, of course. Take a look at the brand name of the tires. A reputable and familiar brand is a good sign. The tires should ideally have no cuts, bubbling, or cracks, and the treads should have wear and tear evenly. If the tires are worn more on a particular side, it could mean problems with the alignment or suspension.
Also, do the “stiff bumper” test. While walking around the car, push down hard on the front bumper, and again from the rear. If the car bounces up and down, it’s a sign that the car’s suspension is still in good condition.
It is recommended to bring along a trusted mechanic to do the car inspection with you, especially when checking under the hood. He will know what to look for and he can tell you if the issues he finds are serious or minor. The cost of hiring a professional to do the inspection for you will be worth it.
This is an important step that many car buyers neglect, either because they forget or because they feel their knowledge and experience is enough. It never hurts to get a second opinion, in any case, and it could save you a lot of hassle and money in the future.
You should always go for a test drive to make sure that everything is working like they should. A good test drive will let you know if there are any weird sounds, shimmies, and shakes you should know about. Switch on the air conditioner and make sure it is working. Check if all of the dashboard lights are working. Listen out for any unusual noises as you drive along.
To make sure that you’re not buying a lemon, these used car inspection tips can help you find the right car without getting scammed.
Mileage means the total distance in miles a car has traveled in a given period of time. Typically, 12,000 miles per year is the acceptable average mileage for a used car. That means, a 5 year old car with 60,000 miles can be considered to have a good used car mileage. To determine good mileage, you also have to take into consideration these factors:
The mileage is also a good way of knowing how much servicing the car will need once you’ve bought it. Mileage varies between vehicles, depending on the make and model, so there is no definite number of miles that is too much for a used car. In general, if a car has accumulated far more than 12,000 miles per year, it is considered excessive.
However, it can be difficult to judge the condition of a used car based on mileage alone. If a car has high mileage and was driven frequently, it can mean the vehicle was maintained regularly. If the car has low mileage, it could also mean the car was not used that often. It could be sitting inside the garage for a long time or in a mechanic’s shop.
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Yes. If a used car is sold with a written warranty from the dealer, it can qualify under the lemon law. Under this warranty, the dealer is required to repair any defect that impairs the vehicle’s use or safety, free of charge. If the dealer cannot repair the used car after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer is entitled to a full refund of the purchase price.
If your goal is to save money, a used car is the better option. But, if money is of no object, it probably doesn't matter whether you buy new or used. To help you decide which is right for you, here are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a new or used car.
The reliability of a new car will usually be miles ahead of any used car. A new car will typically cost more than a second-hand car, but its overall value can be a lot higher than any used car. For many people, paying more for a new car is totally worth it because they can avoid having to deal with repair and maintenance issues a lot longer. A second-hand car, on the other hand, might bring you to the mechanic’s shop after just two or three months.
It comes with its own service plan and warranty.
Have the latest technology.
Have never been used by another driver.
Few repairs needed in the first few years.
More reliable than used cars.
Biggest depreciation in the first two or three years.
Higher insurance premiums than used cars.
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Financially speaking, buying a pre-owned vehicle is practically cheaper than buying a new one. If you don’t have a lot of cash for a down payment, a second-hand car is the way to go, because the down payment will be smaller. Besides that, the total price of a second-hand car can be as low as half the price of a new one that is the same make and model.
Cars depreciate over time. Depreciation of value is probably the biggest reason why you should consider buying used instead of brand new. This is because there are makes and models that heavily lose their value within the first year that they are owned.
Cheaper than a brand new car.
You will not pay for its depreciation.
Insurance costs may be lower.
Lower customization costs.
In many states, it is cheaper to register a used car than a new car.
Used cars have higher maintenance costs. You may need to do more repairs on it.
You won’t have the most advanced safety and security features.
Your choices are limited to only what’s available on the market when it comes to colors, styles, and options.
Most used cars don't come with a warranty, they are usually sold "as-is."
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Volkswagen |
Germany |
| #2 |  Toyota |
Japan |
| #3 |  Stellantis |
Netherlands |
| #4 |  Mercedes-Benz Group |
Germany |
| #5 |  Ford Motor |
United States |
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Michelin |
France |
| #2 |  Bridgestone |
Japan |
| #3 |  Continental |
Germany |
| #4 |  Goodyear |
United States |
| #5 |  Sumitomo |
Japan |
