Fact Shrine

Used Car Shopping Guidelines

Like anything else, those searching for a used vehicle are advised to primarily rely on recommendations from friends, family, and reliable acquaintances. Regional bureaus that research various dealers and post public information on them are also helpful. Examples are better business bureaus and consumer protection agencies. Also, consulting as many third-party resources as possible prior to making a purchase is key, given that the general quality of used cars is trackable and consistent across different makes, models, and years. The Kelley Blue Book is the most common guide to purchasing a used vehicle.

Perhaps the most important element of choosing a used car is obtaining a history report on the specific used vehicle under consideration. Such a report is available free of charge in many cases, and even at a small cost can be worthwhile in preventing the purchase of the oft-cited “lemon.” This report will detail the factual history of the car: previous damage, repair history, flooding, etc. and what it reveals can have a great impact on the value of the vehicle.

The Pre-Owned Vehicle Market

The value of the used car market place is roughly equal to that of the new car market, and more than twice as many used cars are sold annually as used in the US. Additionally, a larger percentage of used cars are being purchased online (roughly 25 percent) in recent years, with Ebay Motors and Autotrader.com as market leaders. Other online and bricks-and-mortar leaders include CarMax and Autonation.