It?s 2016, and this might be the year you research reliable used vehicles in search of a new car to take you to work and everything else you need to do. Affordable used cars aren?t difficult to find, but you will to do some research into the available options, and know the basics of what exactly it is you want. What makes a great used vehicle for one person is different for the next. Here are a few things you should make sure to keep in mind going forward.
How Much Will You Spend?
According to Edmunds, the average used car costs about $16,800. Within this average, though, is a lot of wiggle room. Many people are willing to pay $20,000 for a car that only has a year of use and 10,000 miles, for example, rather than paying the original $35,000 price tag. Many people, though, are really looking for cars closer to the $10,000 range, or even lower depending on where they live. Many cars are fairly reliable until they hit around the 100,000 mile mark, but there are some brands that are known for quality performance even after this point for quite a while.
Reliable Used Vehicles: What to Look For
So you want a great used vehicle — what exactly should you be looking for? Mileage and past upkeep are two important factors. You can use sites like Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book to determine what the average mileage is for a car of that age. If it?s too high or far too low, you may run into problems earlier than expected. A car with 80,000 miles or less will allow you several more years at least of reliable use. Upkeep is also important. Finding a car that has had just one previous owner is ideal — and hopefully, records show that they took in their car for routine inspections, maintenance, oil changes, etc., because this means you won?t be paying for multiple sections of the car to be fixed all at once.
How to Test Previously Used Cars
Although you can buy reliable used vehicles sight-unseen (relatively) on the internet these days — and indeed, many people successfully do this without incident — visiting a car in person is ideal, as you will often notice various problems even just by casually looking around the car that won?t be obvious in person. You can also take the time to have a trusted mechanic inspect it, ensuring that there are no problems you should be taking care of immediately after driving off. Taking a test drive, as well, is always wise. Listen for unusual noises.
Reliable used cars are in high demand. Will you be buying one in 2016 from a used car dealership or someone you know? Let us know.
