10 Steps for Buying Used Cars That Virtually Guarantee You Saving Money and Never Be Fooled

Did you know that if you buy a car “as is,” you’ll have the financial risk for anything that goes wrong after the sale? If you follow the 10 steps below, you are virtually guaranteed not to be fooled by the car seller, thus saving money and unnecessary trouble and worries:

1. Check out the car’s maintenance cost, for example at repairtrust.com

2. Ask for the vehicle’s repair and maintenance record from the owner, dealer, or repair shop.

3. Check out the car’s rating regarding performance, design, quality and reliability here:

Click on “Ratings”.  Industry: Select “Autos”.  Select “Year”, “Make” and “Model”, then click on “Go”

4. Look up the “blue book” value at Kelly’s Blue Book, so that you are in the right position to negotiate the price.

5. Be aware that you have the right to see a copy of the dealer’s warranty before you buy.

6. Make sure that warranties are included in the price of the product; service contracts cost extra and are sold separately.

7. If you are buying the car from a dealership, then look for the Buyers Guide. This guide is required by a federal regulation called the Used Car Rule. Be aware that the Used Car Rule generally doesn’t apply to private sales. Also check out the dealer with local consumer protection officials.

8. Make sure all oral promises are written into the Buyers Guide.

9. Test-drive the car before you sign the sales contract. In particular test it on highways, hills, and in typical city stop-and-go traffic

10. Hire a mechanic and let him or her inspect the car before you sign the sales contract.