Things to Remember When Buying a Used Car

When you are in the market for a car, it is tempting to just go down to the nearest used car lot and start looking. But, after all the back-and-forth negotiations and haggling over monthly payments, you may find that you come away with an undesirable vehicle that will cause a lot of headaches down the road. The next time you are shopping for used cars in hermiston, avoid these 5 mistakes:

Mistake #1: Not doing your research

Doing some cursory research about what types of cars exist can give you a good idea of what type of vehicle best suits your lifestyle and budget. This can save you from unknowingly buying something that doesn’t suit your needs at all. A lot of used car dealerships even post their inventory on the internet, so it is possible to do research at home.

Mistake #2: Purchasing a vehicle you can’t afford

A lot of people have a misconception that they can avoid financing by buying a cheap used car. The reality is, most private party sales require that you purchase the vehicle at market value or close to market value. This means that if you are going to purchase something out of pocket and finance it, you need to be ready to fork over $20K or more for a low-mileage car, which will be hard to sell in the future.

Mistake #3: Purchasing a vehicle with high-mileage

While having high-mileage certainly will reduce the price you will pay for a vehicle, it can also be an indicator that there is something wrong with it. You may find that the repairs start getting pricey very quickly and that you are unable to sell it in the future. The car would likely have been better off if someone else had bought it first and realized its high-mileage was a problem early on.

Mistake #4: Not purchasing extended warranties

Higher-end used cars are always sold with extended warranties, but some individuals think they only apply to luxury brands or late model vehicles. However, extended vehicle warranties are available for all types of vehicles and typically cover up to 100K miles.

Mistake #5: Forgetting about the title

There are many people who buy a car without realizing that the title is important. Without the title, it can be very difficult to sell your new used car in the future and will require extensive repairs before you can even move it away from home. While this is true for every type of vehicle, it certainly creates a difficult situation for those who have purchased a used car without any consideration for their title status.