Used Car Shopping: Everything You Need To Know
So, you’re in the market for a pre-owned vehicle… I want to help.
While I advocate and highly recommend used car shopping, many families I talk to have reservations. The idea of buying a family car that’s already clocked some miles can feel daunting.
I always get the same questions in my one-on-one car consultations: How do I know I’m getting a good deal? What should I be looking for when touring the car? Will there be anything wrong with the car?
Let’s answer all these questions (and more) by breaking down everything you need to know when going used car shopping.
Before Hitting The Dealership, Narrow Down Your Car Choices
The first step to entering the dealership with confidence is to narrow down the features your car needs. Every family is unique and has certain must-haves, but here is a starter list of what I recommend to families I work with:
Top Family Car Features I Recommend:
Upgraded technology and safety features
Ample car seat hardware (as many tether and LATCH anchors as possible)
A spacious 2nd-row bench (or Captain’s Chairs if you prefer)
Two large seats in the third row
Easy 3rd-row access
Middle head restraints
Solid trunk space
I know what you’re thinking: Can a used car have a majority, if not all, of these features? Yes, but you also need to prioritize which features are more important than others. This way, it’s easier to narrow down the family cars that will offer what you need.
If you’re looking to find some of the best used cars for families, check out my post - Family Cars for Under $400 a Month. This post has some of my favorite family cars WITHIN your budget that are reliable to haul your family in.
Kelly, I’m At The Car Dealership. What Should I Do Now?
The key to buying the right used car for your family is to make sure you’re doing your due diligence to test it as much as possible. Here are 9 tips I recommend when picking the right used car:
Look at the car during the day and in good weather conditions.
If you can help it, go to the dealership on a nice, sunny day. If you go in the evening after work or on a rainy day you may miss some dents, dings, or scratches on the car during your inspection. While some wear and tear on a used car isn’t the end of the world you want to be fully aware of what you are getting.
Verify what comes with the car.
Make sure you know what comes with the car. When vehicles are traded in, sometimes the previous owner will have forgotten or lost the extra key or headrests. Verify with the dealer this vehicle comes with keys, floor mats, headrests, etc.
If it is missing any of these items you could use this to your advantage in negotiating.
Ask if the dealer can throw these items in at no extra cost. If they won’t budget, see if they’d be willing to provide them at cost.
Ask to see the Vehicle History Report.
The Vehicle History Report is SO important in a used car purchase. Be sure to review the entire report and feel comfortable about its history (accidents, service records, etc.) I have done a whole video on what to look out for in a Vehicle History Report linked here.
Ask about what reconditioning the dealership did to the car when it was traded in.
Ask your salesperson to see the car’s shop records. Find out what exactly the dealership has done to the car since it was traded in. You will also want to know what type of inspection the dealer put the car through. For example, at the dealership where I worked, we put each used car through a 30-pt inspection, but the state of Missouri only requires a 7-pt inspection!
Ask about the warranty.
Find out if the vehicle has any new car warranty left on it, if the dealership offers any warranty, or if it has any Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty on it.
Warranties are expensive so if you find a used car with a good warranty you will want to add that to the overall value of the car when considering your options.
Do a COMPLETE test drive.
A test drive is WAY more than just seeing how a car drives on the side streets and highway. It’s about seeing if this car can match your lifestyle. When I say a complete test drive I mean install the car sears, throw all the gear into the trunk, and do anything else you would normally do with your family car. If it works - great! If not, it’s time to look at the next option.
Try out all the technology & safety features.
This is SO important! Make sure all the technology and safety features work. Test out the Bluetooth, Apple Car Play, parking sensors, etc. I’ve heard stories of people buying a car in the winter and only ever using the heat and then when the summer rolls around they find out the AC never worked. So test it ALL out.
Request specific repairs be made before signing any paperwork.
Before signing anything, come to a written agreement with your salesperson that certain repairs will be made and at what cost (if any). If you do this after you buy the car the dealership is not responsible for any repairs!
Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic for further inspection.
This is an optional step, but if you have a mechanic you trust and want a second opinion before pulling the trigger on a purchase you can take the car to your mechanic for further inspection. Make sure you make this very clear with the dealer this is your intention and only do this if you are confident in buying the car if the mechanic gives you the green light.
Still Feeling Nervous About Used Car Shopping?
No matter if you’re shopping in the new or pre-owned car market, you want to feel prepared to negotiate with confidence. My car buying course - How To Save At The Dealership - will walk you through how to negotiate, find your perfect family car, and choose the right salesperson to guide you through the process.
Most importantly, I have a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t save at least the cost of the course. This is how confident I am with guidance, you can walk in with confidence to negotiate the deal you deserve.
Have any more questions on how to shop the used car market? Ask me in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest car-buying tips for families, check out my recent posts:
