how to choose used car

1. How do I choose a good used car?
2. What should I check before buying a used car?
3. What is the best mileage to buy a used car?
4. What is the best year to buy a used car?
5. What used cars to avoid?
6. What are the 10 worst used cars to buy?
7. What are signs of a bad engine?
8. What should I ask a used car dealer?
9. What questions should I ask when buying a used car?
10. What is the best age and mileage for a used car?
11. Is it worth buying a car with 100K miles?
12. How much should I spend on a used car?

How do I choose a good used car?

How To Choose A Used Car

1. Find out the market value. This should be the first step in your used-car-buying process. ...
2. Carefully inspect the car. ...
3. Do a serious test drive. ...
4. Get the car checked out by a mechanic. ...
5. Get the repair history on the car. ...
6. Consider the relationship between a car's age and mileage. ...
7. Always be ready to walk away. ...
8. Summary.

What should I check before buying a used car?

Exterior

• Body condition. Check each body panel and the roof, looking for scratches, dents, and rust. ...
• Glass. Look carefully at the vehicle glass to make sure there are no cracks or large, pocked areas. ...
• Suspension. Walk around the car to see if it's standing level. ...
• Lights and lenses. ...
• Tires.

What is the best mileage to buy a used car?

Overall, if you find a used vehicle with about 50,000 miles that has been properly maintained and mainly driven in a less congested area, it's definitely worth your consideration. It would be ideal if the car appears relatively new and shows little wear and tear.

What is the best year to buy a used car?

So for used car shoppers, purchasing a car that's two to three years old and driving it for three years results in some of the lowest costs for recent model cars.

What used cars to avoid?

Listed alphabetically by make and model, these 108 vehicles have a record of much-worse-than-average reliability, based on subscriber responses to our Annual Auto Surveys.
...
Worst Used Cars.

What are the 10 worst used cars to buy?

The Worst Used Cars You Can Buy, According to Consumer Reports

• 2011 BMW 3 Series.
• 2008 Mazda 5.
• 2010 Dodge Challenger.
• 2016 Toyota Tacoma.
• 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman.
• 2008 Ford F-350.
• 2013 Tesla Model S.
• 2016 Porsche Cayenne. See the Full List. Author: Mike Newman. More:Cars. PARTNER.

What are signs of a bad engine?

Here are 8 Warning Signs of an Engine Going Bad:

• Check Engine Light Illuminates! This light generally illuminates when detecting engine problems. ...
• Loss of Power! ...
• Decrease in Gas Mileage! ...
• Annoying Noises! ...
• Engine Stalling! ...
• Odd Odors! ...
• Engine Continues to Run after Ignition is Turned Off! ...
• Rough Running Engine!

What should I ask a used car dealer?

Top Questions to Ask About Used Cars

• Where did they get the car? ...
• Can you look at a CarFax report on the vehicle? ...
• Have they serviced the car? ...
• Can you take it for an extended test drive? ...
• What are your financing options? ...
• Are there any discounts available if you buy with cash?

What questions should I ask when buying a used car?

16 Questions to Ask When Buying A Used Car

• What is the Mileage On the Odometer? ...
• Why is the Owner Selling the Car? ...
• What is the Interior and Exterior Condition of the Vehicle? ...
• Does the Car Have a Salvage Title? ...
• Are You Able to Test Drive the Car? ...
• How Many Owners Has the Vehicle Had? ...
• Has the Car Been in Any Accidents? ...
• Does the Car Have a Maintenance Record?

What is the best age and mileage for a used car?

One to two years old – Edmunds recommends buying a car that's one or two years old, driving it for three years, and then selling it before the next big price slump. This might be a good option for drivers who love having the latest gadgets and don't mind maintaining a car payment.

Is it worth buying a car with 100K miles?

No, in most cases, buying a car with 100K miles is not a bad idea. In fact, there are a number of benefits to buying a high-mileage car. For example, cars with 100K miles cost less to purchase, register, and insure, all while depreciating slower than low-mileage cars.

How much should I spend on a used car?

As a general rule, you should spend around 35 percent of your yearly income on a used car and its associated costs, if you're paying cash. So if you make $40,000 per year, you should spend around $14,000. This amount of money can get you a nice used sedan with low mileage and room for the kids.