Most -people know that buying a car brand new is often a waste of money, usually because the moment you drive a new vehicle away from the garage, it loses up to 40% of its value. So, while the car might be great, the instant wiping out of asset value isn’t the most ideal scenario. 

For this reason, looking for a used car tends to be the smartest way forward. This can be easier said than done, however, as when buying from other people, inconveniences, unexpected outcomes, and plain annoyances can make themselves known. All of this can be tiring to deal with, and so it’s a good idea to consider how to subvert those potential obstacles before they even begin. 

Luckily, this guide is here to help you with that. We hope than anyone who dreads having to purchasing a vehicle can find some comfort in its practical steps:

Luckily, there’s plenty of online content to help you figure out everything about a car before you go and inspect it. Someone selling their vehicle is financially incentivized to make certain the car looks great in your eyes and to get the best price for it, and sometimes that might mean eschewing issues with the car that you wouldn’t have noticed. But if you’ve looked at some owner’s forums, read the specifications, understood the known issues and are able to go for a test drive, you can identify anything that the owner is hiding rather quickly, and you can also spot undeclared repairs like new seams in a bodykit or fresh paintwork. A little preparation goes a long way.

Purchasing from random road users can get you a great deal if you’re sharp and make good on the opportunities that might be within an acceptable distance to travel, that said, sometimes you’re just looking to get a good car at a reasonable price and with smooth paperwork processing. In that case, visiting great used car dealerships, particularly those with an expertise in a current brand of car you wish to use, can be tremendously insightful. Here they may have room to negotiate, and will be able to offer finance plans or many other support schemes you may have use of. 

It can be helpful to bring along a mechanic or someone you trust, or ask for the car to be inspected before you make a full purchase. A quick once-over with no damage or interference to the vehicle can usually bring up most of the common issues that you may not have spotted, and in some cases, if you pay for it, you can ask for the owner to have this checked before you put an offer in. They’re free to reject that of course, but if you’re hoping to really verify the car’s condition in your mind, then it can’t hurt to suggest and pay for this kind of resolution.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily lessen the frustrations of used car purchasing.

Disclosure* This is a collaborative post.