How to buy a used car and not get ripped off
3,903 views · Published 21 February 2014 · 4:29 · Indexed 10 October 2026
Channel: HotDayPleatherSeats · 2014 · Autos & Vehicles
How to buy a used car This video is for a person buying a car from a private party in person. The first rule of buying any big ticket item is to be patient. If you're in the market for a car, do your research of all the known problems, potential recalls, and price ranges for the car in your area and abroad. I've learned that "The deal of a lifetime" comes by quite regularly. Don't get hung up on one person's used car unless you've done your research well enough to know exactly what kind of deal you're getting. Depending on what car you want and the price you want to pay, you may want to go to another state where that car doesn't sell for as much, or if you live in an area with severe weather, which takes a major toll on a car's lifespan, you may want to pick up a car in a more mild climate. A 6 year old car in Southern California is far more likely to be in better condition than the same model and year from Colorado. Of course distance plays a part, but if the numbers make sense it could be worth it. Unless you know the person to be an honest individual, don't believe anything the seller is telling you. I'm not saying you should be suspicious that they are lying, but what you call well maintained and what the seller calls well maintained could very likely be entirely different standards. Always bring someone with you, this is always helpful for several reasons, an extra set of eyes may see something you've missed and if it comes down to negotiations, the mere presence of someone else on your side of the table adds pressure to the seller to negotiate. Don't check out a car at night, you'll be likely miss problems that would have otherwise been obvious with full sunlight. If possible have a mechanic check it out, someone you trust. Just let them know you're thinking about buying it and you wanted a general diagnostic and if there are any major repairs, to give you an idea how much it will cost to fix it. Get a car fax report, several states have Lemon Laws, but it's always better to know ahead of time. Use Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds, always pick the lower of the two prices when deciding if the vehicle is priced fairly. Use an inspection checklist and make notes of all the imperfections that you notice. Literally write them down. Now comes the fun part. When it comes time to actually negotiate the price. After your assessment you may feel that their price is quite reasonable, but it never hurts to ask for a lower price. An ideal negotiation, from the buyer's perspective should start with them naming what they want to get out of the car. This is generally the case since you probably found it in an online classified or a sign posted on the window.
