A used car, a new car, or a used second hand car, is any car which has had one or several original retail owners prior to the current owner. A “used” car does not necessarily mean that it has been heavily used or that the driver has accumulated a large amount of tickets or claims. In fact, many vehicles which are sold for considerably less than their retail value are in great shape. Some have only two or three scratches, and the rest are in mint condition. It is a buyer’s market when it comes to used cars, and this is especially true with the current economic climate. The seller is usually eager to get rid of the vehicle because they have no other options.
There are several different sources, where a person can purchase a used car. One option is to look for them online, where there are several national as well as regional listings of these cars for sale. Another way is to go through a local dealership and tour the cars in order to decide which one is right for the particular buyer. Another way to look for a used car is at an auction. Many private parties also advertise their cars at auto auctions.
Before buying used cars, buyers should take a few minutes to look up the estimated reliability scores of the vehicle. This information is easily available on the Internet and in car magazines. The suggested reliability scores are determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Consumer Reports Cars reliability survey. The suggested reliability scores are also generally determined by the manufacturer, the year of the model, the number of total repairs, and the age of the vehicle.
After determining which sources of data are reliable, the next step involves visiting the dealer or the auction where the vehicle is being bid on. Before any bid is placed, both the buyer and the seller should review the blue book value of the vehicle. They should also have their vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic prior to placing the bid. Many people do not understand that the suggested used car values for the model year and the body integrity of the vehicle are not the exact same as the Blue Book value.
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has devised a formula that determines the predicted reliability scores for vehicles. These predicted reliability scores are based on a combination of many different factors including the expected life expectancy of the vehicle and its mechanical condition. Most NADA formulas take into account the weight of the vehicle and the average miles driven. They also take into consideration the year of the model year and the engine size of most used vehicles.
Used cars are a large portion of the used market. It makes sense for buyers to take a little time to research their options. They should know what they want, how much they want it, and what vehicles can help them reach that goal. Buying from the used market can be very advantageous and can save a lot of money over new cars. Researching and negotiating is the key to getting a great price on a used vehicle. Be prepared to do some comparison shopping to get the best deal possible.