Buying a New-to-You Vehicle? Follow these steps!

Buying a New-to-You vehicle can be nerve racking. Honestly you never know what you’re going to get. You could luck out and end up with a gem or draw the short straw and end up with junk. Here are nine tips to help you need up on the right side of the coin and avoid getting ripped off.

Have the car inspected- Are you a mechanic? If not, take the car to one, before you buy the car! It’s better to find out there is something wrong with the car before you buy it than after.

Test drive the vehicle adequately- Don’t just drive the vehicle around the parking lot. Take it out on the road, get it up to highway speed, try out the accessories, run the A/C even in the winter. You don’t want an unexpected expense after to agree to the deal.

Never buy sight unseen- For some reason, people will buy cars off the internet without going to look at them first. Consumers have bought a car which did not match the pictures on the internet. Who'd have thought someone on the internet you have never met might be dishonest?

Check the title before you shake hands- After you inspect the car, be sure to inspect the title. People have shook hands and handed over money, only to be presented with a salvage title or one branded in some other way. You also need to make sure there are no liens on the title. 

Read and understand the purchase agreement- If you are buying from a dealer you will sign a Purchase Agreement or Buyer's Order which will govern the transaction. Most boilerplate Purchase Agreements contains paragraphs of legalese limiting your rights but reserving all of the dealer's rights. The salesman made a verbal promise to you that's not on the agreement? The salesman told you the car had a warranty but the purchase agreement says the car was sold as-is? And read the back side of the contract. The front often has a signature line saying that you have read both sides of the document and agree with all of it. Don't sign it until you have read it all and understood it.

Know who your buying from- Are you buying from an individual? Are you sure? Many dealers sell off lot in an attempt to make buyers think they are buying from an individual. But the documents then show the seller is a dealer

Never buy a car premised on repairs being made after delivery- I can't even guess how many times I have heard from buyers who noticed something wrong with the car before they bought it – and bought it anyway. "The seller said he'd fix it if I bought it."

No. Fix it, then I'll buy it. 

Know what “as is” means if you are buying a used car- a dealer can sell you a car "as is" and it means the car comes with no warranty of merchantability. The car can blow up the minute you start to drive home and there won't be much (if anything) you can do about it.

Understand the warranty, if you are given or sold one- When the seller tells you the car comes with a warranty make sure to find out what the terms of the warranty are. Aftermarket warranties for used cars come in all shapes and sizes and some are next to worthless. The seller should be able to provide you with some sort of contract, brochure or documentation showing who the warrantor is and how you will make any claims you might have.

Follow these tips and should hopefully be in the clear of getting ripped off.  One of the best pieces of advice is to buy for someone worth trusting. Driver’s Choice in Davenport, IA is your used car supercenter and can help you with any of your questions or concerns. Contact us today to get you next New-to-You vehicle!