4 Tips for Buying a Used Car

You know you can get a good value on a used car that fits your needs, but not taking time to learn the vehicle’s history or its actual condition can cost you!

For some expert advice on how to buy a used car with confidence, we talked with Walt Krawza of U Car Connect, an independent dealership in Minneapolis, and got his top four ways to buy a used vehicle with confidence.

**#1 Consider the Source
**Look at how the seller presents the car. Is it washed, detailed and cared for as much as a new car, or does it just happen to be sitting there? Part of the perceived value of a car is how well the seller treated it. This extra effort is one sign that the dealer or private seller stands behind the vehicle and isn’t just making a quick sale.

**#2 Trust but Verify – Inspection
**No matter how nice a used car looks, the important thing is how it works. Every pre-owned vehicle needs to be inspected before purchase. Many dealers inspect and certify the used cars they sell; if you’re buying from a private party, bring it to your local mechanic or service center for a pre-purchase inspection.

**#3 Get Definitions
**When you hear words like “certified” or “warranty,” stop and ask for a quick definition. Certified by whom? Is it truly a warranty or is it a service contract? You’d be surprised by how many ways these words get used. Be informed.

**#4 Use All Your Senses on the Test Drive
**Don’t lose your senses in the excitement of taking your dream car for a test drive! Look for any instruments or lights that don’t work, listen for any strange sounds and feel for any weird vibrations. Pay attention to the smell; many odors are worse on hot days, and they can be a bear to remove. If you notice anything unusual, get it checked out before you sign anything.

CarSoup.com Buying Tip: Use our Test Drive Checklist to make the most of your next test drive.

Read the five questions to ask about financing your pre-owned vehicle, then start your used car search on CarSoup.com.