What Should I Know Before Buying a Used Car?

If you are in the market to buy a used car, it is important for you to find out what type of vehicle you want, determine its fair market value, look up a vehicle history report, and have a trained mechanic perform an inspection. Not all used cars are alike, and if you are looking for “used car dealers near me,” you also need to understand that not all used car dealers are the same either.

When you buy a used car, you may not get a manufacturer’s factory warranty. This is why you need to perform the proper due diligence on the vehicle you are looking to buy. You need to check out each of these elements to make sure you get the used vehicle that delivers the type of performance you desire at a price you can afford. You also need to make sure the vehicle is of the best quality for the money, as the last thing you want is to buy a used car that spends most of its time in the repair shop.

At DePaula Ford, we have a large inventory of quality used cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs, allowing Albany drivers to find the make, model, year, and features they want. In addition, we have an unmatched reputation for customer service and will work with you to help you find your next used car here.

Looking for Love in All the Right Places

Before starting your used car search, you have to determine what type of vehicle you want. If you are a commuter, buying a used full-size SUV like a Ford Expedition or a used heavy-duty pickup truck like a Ram 3500 is probably not the best choice. While these are both excellent vehicles, they will not get you very good fuel economy, and you will end up paying a premium for a large vehicle that you plan to drive all by yourself. Similarly, if you are a parent with a family of five, then a used subcompact like a Chevy Spark or Kia Rio is going to be really cramped for all of you to get around town. So you need to decide which models work best for your needs.

To use a simple rule of thumb, used subcompacts and compacts are ideal for commuters and young drivers as they cost less than larger models and deliver some of the best fuel economy numbers. For families, the best models of used vehicles tend to be full-size sedans and midsize SUVs. These will give you all the room for everyone to sit comfortably while also giving you plenty of trunk space for all of your belongings. If you have more than four people in your family, then you may have to spring for a used three-row SUV like a Honda Pilot or a Chevy Traverse or a used minivan, such as a Chrysler Pacifica. Finally, if you need to use your vehicle for towing and hauling, then nothing matches the capabilities of a pickup truck. And remember––you probably want all-wheel drive to deal with New York winters.

Best Years of Our Lives

Once you have determined which vehicle type suits your needs best, you need to do a deep dive into the category to determine the makes and models that provide the most of what you are looking for. This can be done by consulting reputable car publications or by talking to the team here at DePaula Ford in Albany. This will let you know the models that rank at the top of their class. It will also help you determine which years are the best ones for each specific model. This is important since automakers are constantly updating and improving their vehicles, adding more features, and changing performance.

Sometimes, an automaker will come out with an entirely new version of a model, called a new generation. While most of these can be an improvement over the older version, sometimes the changes prove to actually harm a model’s reputation, such as the decision to reduce the horsepower and torque of a specific engine or changes to the interior to reduce passenger or cargo space.

Another consideration is vehicle safety. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct a series of tests on all passenger vehicles. Once these are completed, each organization releases its findings. The NHTSA rates vehicles for frontal, side, and rollover impact, with a 5-star rating being the highest. As for the IIHS, it lists the safest models, with the top vehicles receiving a Top Safety Pick+ rating. You should research the reviews from IIHS and NHTSA for the model and year you are considering before you buy, especially if passenger safety is a major concern.

The Price Is Right!

No, you don’t need to consult Drew Carey or Bob Barker before you buy your used car. However, you should find out the fair market value of the used car you are considering before you begin to do your search. Each year, Kelley Blue Book publishes a list of the resale value of each make and model of used car, based on such factors as age, mileage, condition, trim level, and reliability. While the Kelley Blue Book price may not be exactly the same as that offered by a used car dealer, it should provide a rule of thumb to go by to determine if you are getting a good deal on the used car you are buying. However, if you find a car that is listed substantially below its Kelley Blue Book value, it can be a red flag so make sure that there isn’t anything wrong before buying.

Don’t Know Much About History

Every passenger vehicle sold in America has a unique vehicle identification number (VIN). With this VIN, you can find out all you need to know about the specific used car you are looking to buy. This is because you can order a vehicle history report from CARFAX or AutoCheck for less than you probably paid for your last lunch. Whoever came up with the phrase “knowledge is power” must have been thinking about a CARFAX or AutoCheck vehicle history report.

This vehicle history report will let you know important information about the used car you are looking at, such as whether it was ever stolen, how many prior owners it has had, if it was ever in a major accident, and whether there are any open safety recalls on the vehicle. You can then determine whether the exact used car you are considering buying is really worth the money.

What’s more, most reputable used car dealerships will include a complimentary CARFAX or AutoCheck vehicle history report as part of the sales process. Here at DePaula Ford, we attach a free CARFAX report on every used car listing we post on our website. This is just another way that we work to be completely transparent with you. If you visit a used car dealer that doesn’t give you a third-party vehicle history report, you may want to walk away.

Check It Out!

Before you buy any used car, you should have it inspected by a trusted mechanic. This can include having the mechanic take the used car for a road test. This is especially the case if you plan to buy a used car from someone other than a reputable dealership that is a franchise of a major automotive brand. While most dealerships affiliated with an auto manufacturer, such as DePaula Ford, will inspect and stand behind all of the used vehicles they sell, many independent used car dealerships are not as trustworthy. While having a certified mechanic inspect the used car you are considering may cost a few dollars, it will be worth the extra cost as you will be able to better avoid buying a lemon.

Be Prepared!

Buying a used car is a great way to get your next vehicle in an economical and affordable way. These days, it is vital to make sure every dollar counts, especially when buying your next vehicle. However, it is vital to make sure you are getting a good deal by making sure the price you are paying is justified by the vehicle’s resale value. You need to also make sure you have a full inspection and vehicle history report on the used car. If you follow these steps, you should have no problem making your next used car a great buy!