Five Things to Check to Buy the Right Used Car for You

Author: ellsworthmciltrot | Posted: 19.04.2012

If you want to get a car of your own, but a brand new one is beyond your means, then getting a used one is the next best thing. Like everything else, there are certain things you ought to look into to ensure you’re getting a good deal. With that in mind, let’s look at five common things to consider when looking for a used care.

Availability

One of Canada’s leading auto analysts points out that over 2.89 million used cars were sold in 2010. In that same year, only 1.557 million new cars got purchased, many of whom were based in Edmonton due to the area being the sixth-largest metropolitan area by population. It’s speculated that the quality of cars influenced people’s decision to buy used vehicles over the new ones. Check your local dealer’s web site for available models in their area, as well as “country-wide” sites like Auto Trader.

Fuel consumption

Some cars burn fuel faster than others, making it more challenging to determine with used car to pick. However, this can be overcome by trying to do a vehicle history check. You can also compare fuel consumption data of cars at the Canada Office of Energy Efficiency or the U.S. Department of Energy’s web site for Fuel Economy.

Depreciation

Cars also depreciate at different rates. For example, a new $40,000 SUV becomes $13,000 after four years, while a small $13,000 used car can depreciate to $5,500 after the same period. $40,000 minus $13,000 gives a lost value of $27,000 while $13,000 minus $5,500 gives $7,500 at four years each. Thus, the SUV depreciates faster than a used car. Try to find a model that doesn’t depreciate too quickly over the length of time you possess it.

History

As mentioned earlier, you can check the history of an Edmonton used car before buying it. The more detailed and complete records it has like any repair work or safety issues, the more they can help you determine if the used car is worth considering. Web sites like Car Fax and Car Proof can give you vehicle histories, although the latter has more detailed data on Canada’s cars.

Insurance

Try to get an insurance quote before acquiring the Edmonton used car. Be aware that some models can be more expensive depending on its history, make, etc. There are also online resources like TD Insurance and State Farms that can give instant insurance quotes to at least give you a few ideas.

To recap, check the used car’s availability, depreciation, fuel, history and insurance. These factors can help you find the right model among many Edmonton used cars around. Read more about them at Msn.com and EzineArticles.com.



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