If you just know where to look, wouldn’t it be easy to buy cheap used cars? If the quality doesn’t matter, you can simply search the cheapest price without having to worry on other details. But if you are like any ordinary buyer, you will have to make sure the car you will buy is not only cheap but operable. Here, we will show you some tips on finding cheap used cars with quality still intact.
Consider buying from a junkyard.
Junkyards oftentimes get cars that are either in poor condition that nobody could buy them elsewhere or they are in modest condition but are too obsolete to be traded. Sometimes, junkyards have few cars that are yet to be crushed or harvested for parts. You can contact a nearby junkyard and find out if they sell these “junkers” and ask if it is possible to look at them. The junkyard will let you take a good look at the cars they are selling to the public or just show you the area where they keep these cars. If you do find a car that’s suitable for you and your budget, you can then negotiate for good value. The price will be way cheaper than a brand new car, of course. But once you purchase the car, be prepared to exert time and effort into fixing what’s broken and polishing the car after.
Keep your options open.
How many times have you seen a “for sale” sign on the car window? People usually overlook these things when they don’t need it but when the need arises, it becomes too late. Keep your options open and watch out for cars parked at your neighbourhood or driving down the street. Make sure to list down the contact number for these mobile car advertisements. Once you contact the car owner, ask questions about the car’s history and current condition. Better yet, do a research and ask people who know that particular owner so that you can be sure you are making the right purchase.
Photo by Atomic Hot Links
Ask help from your friends or family.
As much as possible, let everyone know that you are planning to buy a car. Ask your friends, co-workers, or relatives whether they know someone who is selling his car or chanced upon a “for sale” sign for the past days. Your friends and family might even contact the seller and ask for some initial information for you.
Consider going to a used car lot.
Probably the most obvious option is a used car lot. Car lots usually offer a decent number of cars to choose from with cheap price. Just be wary of deceptive car dealers who will try to rip you off. Do a thorough research of the company you are considering and find out if they are credible and trustworthy. That means checking if they have pending complaints against them. Also make sure to check on the vehicle history of the car before buying it.
Leaf through newspapers.
Local newspapers might be able to help you find used cars. Check the classifieds section, list down the price as well as the make and description of the advertised car you like. Do not forget to jot down the contact number of the seller. List down all your possible questions so that once you call the seller, your call be smooth and quick.
Check online classifieds.
Online classifieds are similar to newspaper classifieds except that they are online (duh). This means there are no character limits for the vehicle description. So the more informative an advertisement is, the more confident you are as a buyer because almost all the details are given. Photos or videos will make you a more confident buyer. Make sure to request a picture from the seller if he or she does not provide one on the advertisement. You can certainly know a lot just by looking at the car’s pictures.
Browse through online auction websites.
Search for particular cars by entering their make or model at an online auction website. Auction is a good way to negotiate the price of the car you are planning to buy. These online auction websites almost always feature used cars that are still operable. Specify a maximum and minimum price you are willing to spend. Better yet, choose a website specializing in trading used cars. Use your favourite search engine to search for websites that offer trade-in used cars.
Know their website policy.
Once you found that cheap used car, find out the website’s policy. If you are buying from offline sellers, ask for the terms of the sale or you can draft a contract of sale yourself. This is very crucial in the buying process as this helps protect the buyer from troubles that weren’t anticipated during the sale.
Ready for more car buying tips? Here are 5 buying tips for you from CarReality.