What To Look For When You Go To Buy A Used Car

18 June 2020
 Categories: , Blog

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Whether you have cash for a new car or you have the ability to finance one with a nice down payment, you may be better off if you buy a used car instead. Used cars for sale can carry their own value if you shop right, especially if you know what to look for in the car lot. 

Since cars depreciate in value whether you buy new or used, you're already potentially ahead on your investment by buying used cars for sale in your area. The key isn't always in what you pay when you buy a used car, it's what the car will continue to give you as far as value. Here are things you can look for when you go car shopping.

Aim for good gas mileage

Cars will continue to accrue costs for you in terms of operation and repairs, so it's worth it to you to invest in a car that gets good gas mileage when you buy a used car. Buying a car with good gas mileage on it will benefit you most if you already have a vehicle that uses a lot of gas and you can find a vehicle that gets considerably more miles per gallon than yours uses, and if you plan on driving your used car for several years. Gas mileage calculators that determine savings can be used to help you get the most out of your purchase when you buy a used car.

Look at the miles on the car engine

When you buy a used car, check the miles on the vehicle's engine. If the miles appear to be low, then you want to ask the auto dealer if the miles are on a rebuilt or new engine. Low miles mean potentially more years of reliable driving, while higher miles may mean a better price point for used cars for sale, especially if the age of the vehicle matches its overall used miles.

In general, you want to buy a used car that has a good number of miles on it compared to how old the vehicle is. For example, the standard vehicle is driven about 15,000 miles a year. If a car is six years old, it should have 90,000 miles on it or less. Using this calculation, you can determine if any used cars for sale in your area have appropriate miles on them or if the numbers are too high for your comfort.

As long as you choose a reliable make and model of vehicle and shop smartly, you can confidently buy a used car. Your auto dealer will help you get the most out of your purchase.