For many, car ownership means never having to worry about getting from one place to another. However, as cars are big-ticket purchases, bringing home brand-new models might not be feasible for everyone. In such situations, buying pre-owned cars can be a great option. Here, one can get a feature-rich used car of their choice at a fraction of the cost of a new model by relying on a few tried and tested buying tips.

1. Set a budget
The prices of certified pre-owned cars in the country can start at less than R$49,000 and go up to R$187,000 (or more) for luxury variants. So, one can look up the prices of the desired model or other pre-owned cars in the segment and set a budget. One must also account for the car’s on-road expenses, cost of repairs, and cost of buying necessary accessories while determining a budget. Also, one should consider the long-term cost of owning the car, including money to be spent on maintenance and insurance. 

Considering these factors will help one know the overall cost of owning a car . This will also help one know the amount they are willing to spend on a pre-owned car and help them avoid overspending.

2. Find reliable pre-owned car sellers
An easy way to shortlist car sellers is by conducting an online search. One can try looking up terms such as “certified used cars near me” or “enterprise car sales near me” on a search engine to find suitable options. Another way is asking friends or family for seller recommendations. Additionally, one must look for reliable third-party dealerships or certified pre-owned car dealerships to visit. Here, they can find used cars in good condition. 

3. Check vehicle documentation
After shortlisting suitable sellers and contacting them, one must check if all the vehicle documentation is in place. While asking about the car, one can request the seller for paperwork like the registration, insurance, and any change in ownership in the past. Checking the paperwork will help one determine if the car is worth the investment. Additionally, this is the time to check for any discrepancies in documentation. If one finds any issues, they should discuss them with the seller and get them resolved before buying the used car.

Another benefit of asking for complete paperwork is that it helps one know if there are any pending dues on the vehicle. To ensure the pre-owned car does not have a lien placed on it, one can check the vehicle history report and the title. If the car is owned by a bank for failure to repay loans and the seller has not disclosed it, one must avoid purchasing the vehicle. Alternatively, one can negotiate the price further and ask the seller to clear the dues before buying the car.

4. Examine maintenance records
Any used car would have incurred some wear and tear or just signs of use, which may or may not affect its appearance or performance. So, it is important to check if the car has any such signs and if it has been maintained over the years. Using maintenance records, one can determine if oil changes, tire repairs and replacements, and other fixes were made to the car as per the recommended maintenance schedule. One must take ownership of the automobile only once they are certain it is in a good enough condition.

5. Explore and compare multiple options
One might find multiple certified pre-owned cars and sellers offering good deals on suitable models. To choose the right option, one must compare available vehicles and sellers. For instance, a particular seller might have a specific type of pre-owned car with the latest technology, while another may offer a similar model with better performance specifications. This makes it important to determine driving needs, such as the primary purpose of getting a car and desired specs, and then choose a car that meets those needs. Additionally, one must compare sellers to find the best deal on the preferred automobile brand and model. 

6. Look for financing deals
Although a used car may already be more affordable than a brand-new one, one can find ways to save even more money on their pre-owned vehicle purchase. Certain banks and dealerships may offer financing options that allow potential buyers to make a small down payment and pay the rest of the money in monthly installments over several months. One might be able to pay over a few weeks or even 72 months, depending on the lender’s terms. 

That said, this option may be accessible to those with decent credit scores. So, one must check if they qualify for such financing options and then purchase a pre-owned car. 

7. Schedule a test drive
A test drive is a great way to check how well the vehicle accelerates, brakes, handles, and feels. This would also allow one to examine how comfortable the seats are, if the air conditioning works, and whether the infotainment system offers a great audio-visual experience. The test drive checklist can also include inspecting the driver information cluster and the cleanliness of the interiors, as detailing the vehicle can be expensive. If one finds issues like rattling vehicle parts or missing/non-functional features during the test drive, one can ask the seller to fix them before the sale.