What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

Finding the perfect used car for your lifestyle can be stressful, especially when you don’t know what you’re looking for. With thousands of makes, model years and trim levels available, how do you choose the best fit? What are the best things to ask when buying a used car? Regardless of your previous car purchasing history, Kempthorn Motors can help you narrow down your search to find the right car. Learn more about what to look for when buying a used car below!

How to Buy a Used Car 

When you’re on the market to purchase a used vehicle, there are several things you want to keep in mind so you can narrow your options down to ones that are reasonable for your lifestyle. We compiled a list of some of those factors you’ll want to consider and how to move forward once you’ve found the vehicle:

• Price: This is the most common one, and it can filter your search easily. After going over your personal finances, figure out what you can afford. Don’t forget to include additional costs for warranties, taxes and desired repairs. You’ll also need to consider routine maintenance costs. To get an estimate of your monthly payments, use our online payment calculator.
• Car Characteristics: When shopping for a used car, you’ll need to know what types of characteristics you’re looking for. Do you want a regular used vehicle or a certified-pre owned car? How much mileage are you comfortable with? Do you want bluetooth included and heated seats? What color car do you want? These questions, and more, will decrease the thousands of options available to just a few, so you can easily compare vehicles that suit your needs. 
• Test Drive and Inspect the Models: Once you’ve narrowed down your options, head on over to Kempthorn Motors and test drive the models you’re interested in! When test driving, observe the car’s smoothness on roads and listen for any unusual sounds. Once it’s passed your personal performance standards, you can take it to our service department for a professional inspection to verify its performance. 
• Financing: When you’ve found the perfect car, our finance team will help you find reasonable financing options. You can apply for financing online prior to visiting, or shop around to make sure you get the best rate. 

What to Ask When Buying a Used Car

During the shopping process, ask our experts questions about the vehicles you’re interested in to make sure you get as much information as possible before making this purchase. When customers ask about what to ask when buying a used car, we give the following examples: 

• Is there a history of maintenance?
• Is the vehicle history report available?
• Do the amenities and features work like they’re supposed to?
• What is the ownership history?
• What is the vehicle’s mileage?
• Are there any current recalls on the vehicle?
• How was the vehicle priced?
• Can I take the car to a mechanic for an inspection?
• Do you have the title in hand?
• Is the car as is, or is it under warranty?
• Does this vehicle affect your insurance premiums?

Get Your Used Car from Kempthorn Motors Today!

Now that you know what to look for when buying a used car, it’s time to act on it! Take a look at all of your options, then feel free to visit us in Canton. In the meantime, feel free to check out more car buying tips!