Things To Consider When Buying a Used Car 2025

A new car smells amazing and knows you're the first to make it your own. But roses depreciate fairly quickly, and once you leave the field, your robotic baby loses 10% of its value.

It will lose another 20% of its value within the first year of ownership, and by the time it's three years old, the car is only worth about 60% of its new value.

That sucks for the original owner, but the truth is, the car has a lot of life left. Buying a used car can be a big deal for a second car owner. Yes, it is a stressful and confusing process. There is a lot to research and then make a strong purchase.

But if done right, buying this new car will make you feel like a million bucks.

Choose a make & model

Buying a car is never recommended without first doing your research and making a short list of makes and models. There is a lot of information to know about any car, including fuel mileage, average lifespan, and expected service frequency. If you don't have this information when you set off, you'll be far more impressed by how the vehicle looks than by how well it performs.

To get good grades, it really comes down to being well prepared. First, you need to know the general price range for the make, model and year of your chosen vehicle. This is invaluable in negotiations. It also allows you to stimulate competition among traders. You can ask dealers to pay lower prices for different batches of similar vehicles.

Research the local lot

Once you know what you want, search your local retailers online to find some options. Negotiations are almost always part of the process, but doing your research can give you a good starting point for your buying budget.

You can also find surprisingly good bargains on cars that dealers only want to buy from their turf. Space for retailers is always tight. So when new models come out, dealers don't have time to continue researching older models.

Time your purchase

Knowing when the dealer is under the greatest pressure to move vehicles can give you a huge advantage in negotiating. For example, by the end of the month, traders will try to make odds and it may be easier to accept the lowest price.

Weather can also play a role in determining when the best offers are. If you live in a cold climate, you probably do a lot with your convertible in the fall and winter. On the other hand, many people want to spend their tax refunds in April, when prices tend to rise.

Do the test drive

Now all the research has paid off - the fun part. Never settle for short trips around the block; you must drive at least 10 miles and cover nearby and highway terrain. It is important to estimate the speed and smoothness of the acceleration and deceleration of the car.

When it's safe, you should also try some aggressive moves like B. Quick stop and dodge. The last thing you want is a car that drives well in normal conditions but can't protect you in an emergency. Be sure to warn your sellers before doing this!

Remember, you need to check the inside and outside of this car. Open and close all windows and doors, as well as the hood and trunk. Press firmly on each corner of the vehicle to assess bumps. Check the tire tread. Test lights. You should also sit on the floor and check for liquid dripping from below.

Negotiate a deal

When you know the value of your dream car and keep your budget in mind, you can negotiate from a vantage point. However, hitting the right note is important. If you ask too much, the dealer may not be interested in negotiating. If you look too weak, they will think you are an easy target.

When negotiating, be firm but polite. Make sure they know you've done your homework and are from an informed location. Some salespeople will try to confuse you by moving the conversation away from car prices to topics like financing, extras, insurance or maintenance plans. Moving on to bring the discussion back to the cost of the car itself.

Knowing that your dream car will be available in a few weeks can be a powerful negotiating point for you. You should also point out any minor flaws that appeared during the road test and inspection. Anything that justifies your asking price deserves a polite mention.

Be ready to walk away

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you cannot reach a favorable agreement. Be prepared to walk away if the dealer refuses to accept a price below sticker price, or if it doesn't come close to what you know the car is worth.

Sometimes you will get a call after a few days if the dealer cannot sell the vehicle to someone else. If not, at least you can be thankful that you didn't do anything bad.

Don't waste time listening to tough sales pitches once you realize you're not making progress. Eventually you will have to go to a new retailer to start over, so save your energy.

The Bottom Line

Once you get a bargain on the car you really want, the effort will be worth it. If you know what the car is worth, you're halfway there, but the second half is for you to apply that knowledge to get a price that will please both you and the dealer.

It's not easy, but if you're willing to challenge yourself, you're sure to get a great ride and incredible value for money.