What to Do When Buying a Used Car

Buying your first pre-owned vehicle is a big and exciting milestone. However, you may be wondering what to do when buying a used car and where you need to go.

At Val-U-Line, the team at our used car dealerships is committed to helping drivers all over the country with their automotive needs. That’s why we’ve created this guide detailing what you need to do when buying a used car.

Check it out below to learn more about the used car-buying process and how you can drive home in a pre-owned vehicle you love.

1. Calculate Your Budget

Creating a budget should be your first step to buying a used car. Calculating a budget can help you find the most affordable option. Just make sure you also factor in the cost of insurance, maintenance, gas, and monthly payments (if you’re financing). Doing this will help you clearly see how much you want to spend on your used car.

2. Check Out Your Used Car Options

One of the biggest benefits of buying used is that drivers have a huge selection of options to choose from. However, every vehicle is unique, so you’ll want to think about what you want to find the perfect used vehicle for your lifestyle.

Need a used car that can fit the entire family? Choose a used SUV with tons of space. Want something that’s efficient for your long daily commutes? A sedan or hybrid may be good options. Overall, taking the time to think about your needs will not only help you find the right car, but it’ll also make your search quicker and easier.

3. Schedule a Test Drive

Once you’ve done your research and found a few cars that may work for you, the next thing you’ll need to do is get behind the wheel. Scheduling a used car test drive allows you to really experience everything that the vehicle you want has to offer.

When you’re taking it out for a spin, here are a few things you should do to make sure that you choose the right vehicle.

• Monitor how the used car performs in low and high speeds
• Check all features inside and outside of the car to see how they work
• Take note of any unusual noises or smells you notice coming from the vehicle

4. Check the Vehicle History Report

It’s also a good idea to check an available vehicle history reports. These resources highlight all the important service information a buyer needs to know about a used car they’re considering. Overall it can give you an idea of how dependable it is for you.

On top of that, try search for pre-owned vehicle that have gone through and passed professional automotive inspections that check everything under the hood to make sure they’re in perfect working order. That way, you can trust that the car you buy will give you the reliable performance you need.

5. Apply for Financing

Financing is available for used cars. If you’re interested, all you have to do is fill out an application at the dealership. From there, a trained expert from the finance team will get to work securing the affordable and flexible options you need.

If you’re worried about your credit, don’t be! You can finance a used car with any credit score. However, you may still want to do what you can to improve it, so you can get even more affordable terms and used car financing rates.

Drive Home in Your Perfect Used Car

Buying a used car for the first time can be a great experience when you know what to do. When you’re ready to shop, consult this guide to learn all about what you need to do when buying a used car.

Plus, feel free to contact Val-U-Line’s used car dealerships nationwide when you want to get behind the wheel of a pre-owned vehicle. We have hundreds of options in our inventory and will work with you each step of the way to make sure you get the right car at the right price with the right financing.