| There are a couple of major benefits to buying a used | | | | Whenever possible, check out the used car in person. |
| car online. You do not have to spend hours going from | | | | Otherwise, ask for pictures of the vehicle from every |
| one dealership to another. Even better, you will not | | | | angle possible (inside and out), including the engine. |
| have to deal with overly pushy salespeople attempting | | | | Although not a sure-fire way to verify if the seller is |
| to sell you more than you can logically afford. You can | | | | being completely honest, this can help you to avoid |
| always look through your local newspaper's online | | | | some surprises. Even with pictures, you still need to be |
| automotive classified website. | | | | careful. Read over the original description of the used |
| Tip #1 - Before Buying a Used Auto | | | | car and verify that it matches the one in the photo. |
| Before buying a used car online, learn everything you | | | | Tip #4 - CarFax Automotive Report |
| can about what it should and could include. Learn about | | | | Ask the seller for the vehicle identification number, |
| both standard and optional automotive equipment and | | | | which you will need to run a CarFax report. This is a |
| the fair market value for the used car. Also, consider | | | | necessary step to protect you from fraud. A CarFax |
| your budget. Knowing how much you have available | | | | report will show you most major completed repairs |
| before you start looking will help narrow down your | | | | and whether the car has been involved in an accident. |
| choices. You will also be less tempted by an | | | | If the report shows the vehicle has been in a bad |
| unaffordable auto. | | | | accident, but the seller says the car is in tip-top shape, |
| Examine exactly why you want to buy a used car. | | | | consider buying a different vehicle. |
| The way you will use it can have a big impact on | | | | Tip #5 - Automotive Pricing |
| what type of auto you purchase. If you need an | | | | Before shelling out money or agreeing to a sales price, |
| automotive for family outings or carpooling, a 2-seater | | | | visit the Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds website to find |
| sports car will not work. | | | | the fair market value of the auto. Do this after you |
| Tip #2 - Questions to Ask Auto Seller | | | | have seen pictures of the car so that you can be |
| Ask the seller the following questions before buying an | | | | accurate about the car's condition. Keep in mind that |
| automotive online: | | | | the sales price listed online probably does not include |
| * Why are they selling the car? Beware if their reason | | | | sales tax, registration, financing fees, or licensing and |
| seems unreasonable. | | | | title fees. |
| * Do you have service records? Having the service | | | | Tip #6 - Where to Buy a Used Auto |
| records will let you know what required services have | | | | You have several options regarding where to buy a |
| and have not been completed. This will help you | | | | used car online. Try looking through online automotive |
| determine possible costs after you have purchased | | | | classified ads or on dealer websites. Another possibility |
| the auto. | | | | is visiting online auto auction sites. Whichever way you |
| * Is the title in the seller's name? It can be difficult and | | | | choose, always follow the previously provided tips |
| time consuming to get the title changed from a | | | | before making a purchase. |
| previous owner. Another possibility is that you or the | | | | For many reasons, buying a car online can be much |
| seller may be unable to locate the previous owner | | | | trickier than buying one in person. This is especially true |
| * Are there any liens attached? | | | | when you decide to buy a non-local car, as you |
| * Can I have an independent mechanic physically | | | | normally will not be able to see the car in person |
| inspect the used car? | | | | before you get it. Following the tips above can do |
| * Can I test drive the used car before buying it? | | | | away with many of the pitfalls. |
| Tip #3 - Pictures of the Used Auto | | | | |