Today when it comes to getting a used car has become much easier with the invention of the internet. No longer do you need to look just at those available close to where you live but if you are willing to travel then you can look further afield by using many of the online auction sites and used car sites as well. Below we provide the top ten tips for buying a used car which you should be keeping in mind when trying to get your ideal one.

Tip 1 – Before you go ahead and buy a used car it is important that you do as much research into your chosen vehicle first. As well as looking through various internet used car listings then spend time reading through as many professional road test reviews that have been written. Also read as many reviews written and posted by people who currently own or have owned the model of car that you are interested in.

Tip 2 – Next you need to determine just how much the car is going to cost once you get it. Along with comparing the mileage ratings for the car that you are interested in you need to take into consideration what it is going to cost to upkeep the vehicle as well. There are plenty of websites online including the likes of fueleconomy.gov which provides you with the EPA mileage figures for any vehicle that has been made from 1986 to 2008. Plus sites like this will also tell you what kinds of greenhouse gas emissions the vehicle produces each year as well.

Tip 3 – The next thing you need to do is look at the cost of insuring the car you are interested in. Unfortunately the insurance premiums you pay on a vehicle are dependent upon a number of different factors. Along with the age of the driver and how much no claims bonus they hold the car’s sticker price will affect how much you pay in insurance for it, plus what it is going to cost to get it repaired, how safe the vehicle is and finally is it a vehicle which is likely to be stolen. What’s the point of purchasing a vehicle if only you cannot afford to get the insurance for it?

Tip 4 – If you need to arrange financing in order to purchase a used car then it is best if you arrange this through your bank or credit union as the rates they charge are considerably lower. Plus this puts you in a position with the dealership or owner of the vehicle to be able to get a better deal on the vehicle that you are after. Also before you go and get your financing it is worth checking your credit rating first to ensure that you won’t be hit by any unexpected problems that could affect what kind of financing deal you get. The three major credit reporting agencies are now by law required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report.

Tip 5 – If at all possible before making that final decision you should actually take the car you are thinking of buying for a test drive. Don’t just take it for a quick drive around the block but arrange to spend time on a wide variety of different roads and spend time looking at how well the car accelerates or not. Also as you drive it listening for any sounds or noises which are unusual or if it vibrates or there are strange odours emanating from it.

Tip 6 – Go onto sites such as Experion.com, Carmax.com or Autobytel.com and arrange for a check to be carried out to see if there is anything untoward. These sites are able to tell you whether the vehicle has been involved in any accidents or if there are any payments outstanding.

Tip 7 – It is important that before you purchase a vehicle you check through all the documentation that the seller provides. Inspect it carefully and look at the details on the vehicle and make sure that they check with the vehicle being sold. It is important that you look carefully at the vehicles identification number and check that what is on the official document shows in the vehicle as there will be plates on the cars chassis and on the engine and the numbers on these should match exactly to the vehicle being sold, if they don’t then immediately walk away from the sale.

Tip 8 – Arrange to get the vehicle checked over by a mechanic if you know one before you decide to make that purchase and hand over your hard earned cash. If you don’t know a mechanic there are some companies such as the AA in the UK who offer a service where you can for a fee arrange for one of their inspectors to give a vehicle a check over before you make the decision to purchase it.

Tip 9 – If you are purchasing a vehicle from a dealership then look to check what warranties are provided with the car and also what inspections have been carried out by them prior to them selling it. Although you may need to pay more it is worth taking up the offer of an extended warranty on the car being sold just in case.

Tip 10 – If you intend to purchase from an online auction site it is a good idea to carry out some checks prior to making a bid. Along with doing the usual checks as mentioned in tips 6 and 7 you need to look closely at the seller as well, especially if they seem to be selling a lot of vehicles through these sites.

Above we have offered you the top ten tips for buying a used car today. If you keep these in mind then you are sure to get the vehicle of your dreams rather than a lemon which is going to end up costing you considerably more than you first imagined.