Buying a used car can either be a wise or a foolish move. Someone with no background or knowledge whatsoever on finding a good buy might just be duped into a bad deal and end up with somebody else's garbage. But for the knowledgeable buyer, a significant amount of money might be saved by settling with a second hand car.

Here are some tips to set you on the right track.

1. CONSIDER THE KIND OF CAR YOU NEED.

It's okay to stick to a price range or budget. But first consider the kind of car you be need. Prices vary according to the brand and make of a car. For instance, a small sedan is cheaper, but if you'd pack that car with lots of people or packages, that would cause tearing or breakdown. This would necessitate lots of repair jobs which would mean more expenses for you.

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Check out the classifieds for the regular market price ranges on the type of car that you are going to buy. Look out for used cars in the neighborhood. Many times, you will get a better deal by negotiating with the owner directly.

3. CHEAP IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST.

Don't be fooled by the price. Consider the amount of money you will still need to shell out to recondition the vehicle once you buy it. If you find the price to be considerably lower than what is the average retail or dealer price you find on web sites like, edmunds.com or kelly's blue book, kbb.com than it is a warning sign that either there is a mistake in pricing (highly unlikely with a dealer) or there is either over mileage or the car has been in an accident. Ask questions and you can even search for the car's history with VIN # on the internet.

4. WHERE TO SCOUT

Private sellers usually sell at a cheaper price. The advantage though of buying from a dealer is that it usually comes with good warranty.

Be bold enough to scout from private sellers if you are confident that you can assess the condition of the vehicle fairly well. If not, maybe you could bring a mechanic to check out the used bvehicle.

When opting to buy from used car dealers, be careful not to be taken in by persuasive talk. Don't take their word for it, check the car yourself.

5. TEST DRIVE BASICS

Be sure to watch out for these:

a. Does the car swerve on either direction? (Also, see if the tires have uneven wear.) If so, it would need a wheel alignment.

b. Is the air cool enough? If not, check if it's simply a lack of freeon or worse.

c. Are the brakes in good condition?

d. Do you hear unusual sounds? If so, the engine might have problems.

6. INTERIOR CHECKLIST

The condition of the interior gives you a clue as to how much the car has been used and taken cared of. Also, a very low mileage reading on a badly looking interior is a sign of meter tampering.

7. CHECK THE EXTERIOR FOR RUST AND PAINTOVERS.

It might have been in an accident before.

8. CHECK THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE FOR SIGNS OF LEAKAGE.

9. CHECK THE OIL.

Oil should be clear. BLACK colored oil is not a good sign.

10. CHECK THE MUFFLER FOR LEAKS.

A WHITE or BLUE colored emission would be the sign of engine problems.

Happy used car hunting!
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