{"id":87206,"date":"2020-10-12T12:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T09:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/"},"modified":"2023-01-15T21:24:41","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T18:24:41","slug":"a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/","title":{"rendered":"#\n  A step-by-step guide to buying a used car"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a27e26522f2d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a27e26522f2d\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#A_step-by-step_guide_to_buying_a_used_car\" >A step-by-step guide to buying a used car<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Figure_out_your_budget\" >Figure out your budget<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Get_the_trade-in_value_for_your_current_car\" >Get the trade-in value for your current car<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Get_preapproved_for_financing_if_applicable\" >Get preapproved for financing (if applicable)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Find_the_right_car\" >Find the right car<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Consider_certified_preowned\" >Consider certified preowned<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Search_your_local_area\" >Search your local area<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Look_at_the_vehicle_history_report\" >Look at the vehicle history report<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Contact_the_seller\" >Contact the seller<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Take_a_test_drive\" >Take a test drive<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Get_a_pre-purchase_inspection\" >Get a pre-purchase inspection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car\/#Close_the_deal\" >Close the deal<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_step-by-step_guide_to_buying_a_used_car\"><\/span><strong>A step-by-step guide to buying a used car<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<figure style=\"width: 890px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/ei.marketwatch.com\/Multimedia\/2020\/10\/07\/Photos\/ZH\/MW-IQ342_at_use_20201007171757_ZH.jpg?uuid=920d68ca-08e2-11eb-afef-9c8e992d421e\" width=\"890\" height=\"501\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">GETTY IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A used car can be a great way to get a vehicle that fits your budget and your lifestyle. If shopping for new cars has given you sticker shock, it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re stuck with your current vehicle. Whether your current car is worn out, or you just want a new set of wheels, a used car can be an affordable way to make an upgrade.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re shopping for a used car, truck, or SUV, here\u2019s what you need to know about how to buy a used car.<\/p>\n<div class=\"paywall\">\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Figure_out_your_budget\"><\/span>Figure out your budget<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before you even shop around for\u00a0your next ride, you need to determine a budget. If you window shop first, you may find the perfect car that you can\u2019t live without is not within your means.t. If you set your budget first, you can start your car shopping journey with reasonable expectations and avoid a car payment that you can\u2019t afford.<\/p>\n<p>Paying for your next car with cash is a good strategy when shopping for a used car. It\u2019s a lot easier to save up $10,000 for a used Honda\u00a0HMC,\u00a02.69%\u00a0\u00a0 Accord compared with a new one that costs <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trip<\/a>le that amount. Sure, you won\u2019t get all of the bells and whistles that come with the new model, but you\u2019ll be saving so much cash that it probably won\u2019t bother you.<\/p>\n<p>That said, you certainly don\u2019t need to pay for your used car with cash. If you want to take out a loan, you can get a used car paid off in less time with a lower monthly payment compared with a new car. The downside is that automakers don\u2019t really run incentives on used cars, so you won\u2019t be able to find 0% financing like you might be able to on a new car. Also, keep in mind that interest rates on used car loans are <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a>ly higher than those for a new car. Despite that, going with used instead of new is still a significant discount.<\/p>\n<p>As for what a good monthly payment would be, that depends on your budget. A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than about 15% of your monthly take-home pay on transportation. By that, we mean your car payment, gas, insurance, maintenance, and any other expenses associated with your car ownership. If you\u2019re shopping for a used car, you might be surprised by how nice of a car you can get while keeping your monthly car expenses within that range.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_the_trade-in_value_for_your_current_car\"><\/span>Get the trade-in value for your current car<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re planning on trading in your current car, this value works as a down payment on your new wheels. However, if you buy your used car from a private seller, then trade isn\u2019t really an option. Regardless, you can get an\u00a0Instant Cash Offer\u00a0through our friends at Kelley Blue Book. All you need to get started is your VIN or your license plate number.<\/p>\n<p>If you use the Instant Cash Offer\u00a0<a class=\"icon none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autotrader.com\/instant-cash-offer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tool<\/a>, you can get an idea of what to expect for your trade-in value even if you don\u2019t go through with the cash offer. Equipped with this number, you can factor it into your down payment when you\u2019re doing the math on how much car you can afford.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_preapproved_for_financing_if_applicable\"><\/span>Get preapproved for financing (if applicable)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you do decide to take out a loan for your used car, you\u2019ll want to get pre<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roved once you\u2019ve determined the amount you\u2019re going to borrow. To find that figure, you can use a\u00a0<a class=\"icon none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autotrader.com\/car-payment-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">car payment calculator<\/a>\u00a0or an\u00a0<a class=\"icon none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autotrader.com\/car-affordability-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">affordability calculator<\/a>\u00a0as a guide.<\/p>\n<p>Getting preapproved early on in the car shopping process has many advantages. It gives you an idea of how much car you can afford, what your monthly payment might look like, and how long it will take to pay it off. Getting preapproved won\u2019t hurt your credit score, which is a good thing since you\u2019ll want a strong number to get the best interest rate.<\/p>\n<p>You don\u2019t even need to visit a dealership or a bank to get preapproved. The whole process can be done right from your desk or your couch.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Find_the_right_car\"><\/span>Find the right car<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve figured out your budget and have prequalified for a loan, it\u2019s time to get into the nitty-gritty of\u00a0researching which car is right for you. If there\u2019s already a specific make and model that you have your heart set on, then you can research which\u00a0trim levels, options, colors and wheel designs you like.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Be sure to read:\u00a0<\/strong>What you should know about buying a used rental car<\/p>\n<p>If you nothing strikes your fancy, start by thinking of the basics. Is this car just for you or will you be hauling passengers regularly? Do you need a lot of cargo space? Do\u00a0you need or want an SUV\u00a0or minivan? Would all-wheel-drive be beneficial in your climate? Asking yourself questions like these can help you narrow down which class of car is right for you. From there, you can research popular models by reading\u00a0reviews,\u00a0<a class=\"icon none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autotrader.com\/best-cars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lists<\/a>, and\u00a0comparisons\u00a0to refine your search.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consider_certified_preowned\"><\/span>Consider certified preowned<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you don\u2019t want to pay full price for a new car, but you like the idea of a manufacturer\u2019s warranty, then you should consider shopping certified preowned (CPO). Buying CPO compared with a noncertified used car has a lot of advantages. For starters, there\u2019s the aforementioned manufacturer\u2019s warranty (the length of which depends on the manufacturer) giving you extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n<p>Another perk is the fact that the car has gone through a thorough inspection before the sale and you can be sure you\u2019re getting a car in great condition with any important service items already addressed. A CPO car is generally a little more expensive than a noncertified used car, but the benefits usually outweigh the extra cost.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See:\u00a0<\/strong>The pros and cons of buying a certified used car<\/p>\n<p>Each automaker has its own CPO program with its own set of criteria and coverage. Use a tool to\u00a0<a class=\"icon none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autotrader.com\/research\/certified-cars\/compare.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">compare certified preowned programs<\/a>\u00a0and find the one that works best for you.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Search_your_local_area\"><\/span>Search your local area<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>. You\u2019ve figured out financing, done your homework to narrow down your search, compared CPO programs, and you\u2019re finally ready to search for the car that checks all of your boxes. You can search by make and model, of course, but you can also narrow it down by certain trims, features, colors, and price ranges. Tailoring the search means you won\u2019t spend hours combing through listings trying to find the perfect car. The more specifically you can narrow it down, the better your chances of finding a car you love.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_at_the_vehicle_history_report\"><\/span>Look at the vehicle history report<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many used cars offered by dealerships come with a free AutoCheck or Carfax vehicle history report. These reports show you important details about the car\u2019s past like how many owners it\u2019s had, where it\u2019s been registered, service history, whether there are any open recalls, and perhaps most important, whether it\u2019s ever been in an accident. If you notice an accident on a vehicle history report, you should definitely ask the selling dealership if they know anything about it. It\u2019s possible that it was simply a fender bender that was professionally repaired, but it could be something more serious that would make you want to avoid the car.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contact_the_seller\"><\/span>Contact the seller<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking at buying from a dealership, it\u2019s easy to contact them to set up a time to come look at the car. If you\u2019re buying from a private party, it\u2019s a bit of a mixed bag in terms of how easy it will be to reach the seller. Some are better at communicating than others. Others might be evasive. Still, there are plenty of good private sellers who are transparent, take great care of their cars, and will give you a good car-buying experience.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Take_a_test_drive\"><\/span>Take a test drive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The test drive is critical to the buying decision. You can get a lot of\u00a0information about a car online, but there\u2019s no replacement for seeing it in person, sitting in it, and taking it for a spin. Make sure you drive it both around town and on the highway to get a feel for both driving experiences. Play with all of the infotainment controls (while parked), push every button, open every cubby, and gather as much information about the car as you can in a short period. If you have a family, bring everyone along and load up the car seats to see how well everyone fits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read:\u00a0<\/strong>How to test drive a used car<\/p>\n<p>You might test drive a car that checks all your boxes, but find that you just don\u2019t like how it drives. On the flip side, you could drive a car you were on the fence about and like it more than you expected. If you\u2019re at a dealership, don\u2019t be afraid to test drive many different models and trims. It will build confidence that you\u2019re making the right choice.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_a_pre-purchase_inspection\"><\/span>Get a pre-purchase inspection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unless you\u2019re buying a CPO car that has already gone through an inspection, it\u2019s a good idea to get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) on a used car. This is an especially good idea if you\u2019re buying from a private seller. As a general rule, the PPI is paid for by the buyer and it\u2019s worth every penny. You can buy a car on the condition of the results of a PPI. If something nasty comes up as a result of the PPI, then it can save you the expense of fixing a major problem.<\/p>\n<p><strong>See:\u00a0<\/strong>These are your best bets for used hybrids under $10k<\/p>\n<p>Paying for a PPI and getting it scheduled might be a bit of a pain, but trust us, you\u2019ll be glad you did it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Close_the_deal\"><\/span>Close the deal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>By the time you get to this step, you can buy your used car, truck, SUV, or van with confidence. Car buying can be an intimidating process, but if you do your homework and walk through the steps we\u2019ve outlined above, then you\u2019ll be sure you\u2019re getting a good deal on a used car that\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read next:<\/strong>5 important facts about car insurance no one ever tells you<\/p>\n<p id=\"editorcomment\" class=\"editorcomment\">This story originally ran on\u00a0<a class=\"icon none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autotrader.com\/car-shopping\/how-to-buy-a-used-car\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Autotrader.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related article : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumper.com\/car-buying\/used-car-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What to Look for When Buying a Used Car<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marketwatch.com\/news\/story.asp?guid=%7BD48CA114-08E4-11EB-9BA4-78C8E1F152ED%7D&amp;siteid=rss&amp;rss=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A step-by-step guide to buying a used car A used car can be a great way to get a vehicle that fits your budget and your lifestyle. If shopping for new cars has given you sticker shock, it doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re stuck with your current vehicle. Whether your current car is worn out, or you&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":471531,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ei.marketwatch.com\/Multimedia\/2020\/10\/07\/Photos\/ZH\/MW-IQ342_at_use_20201007171757_ZH.jpg?uuid=920d68ca-08e2-11eb-afef-9c8e992d421e","fifu_image_alt":"#  A step-by-step guide to buying a used car","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[131096,131095,131100,131099,131091,131094,131092,131101,131093,131098,131102,131097],"class_list":["post-87206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-a-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-used-car","tag-close-the-deal","tag-consider-certified-preowned","tag-contact-the-seller","tag-figure-out-your-budget","tag-find-the-right-car","tag-get-a-pre-purchase-inspection","tag-get-preapproved-for-financing-if-applicable","tag-get-the-trade-in-value-for-your-current-car","tag-look-at-the-vehicle-history-report","tag-search-your-local-area","tag-take-a-test-drive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87206"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87206\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/471531"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}