How to Buy a Used Car

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How to Buy a Used Car

• Tim Ellis, Ph.D., P.E.,Associate Professor
• Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

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1940 Plymouth
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1940 Plymouth
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78 Olds Cutlass Supreme
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Steps to buying a car

• Do you need a car?
• Consider the cost
• Purchase price
• Insurance
• Gas
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Parking sticker
• Parking tickets
• Walking is good exercise!

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New or Used?

• Advantage of buying a used car
• Less expensive purchase price (new car loses 40
  of its value in first year)
• Less expensive to insure
• Option to cover vehicle with liability insurance
  only as opposed to comprehensive liability

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New or Used?

• Disadvantage of buying a used car
• May not have all of the safety features of a new
  car
• Maintenance costs will be higher than for a new
  car
• Will not have a warranty (or limited warranty)
• Buyer beware

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Where to buy

• Dealer
• Will have a larger supply
• May have warranty
• May pay higher price (dealer has to make a
  profit)
• Wont get a complete history of car from dealer

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Where to buy

• Private individual
• Will be able to ask owner about vehicle
• May bargain price more
• Less hassle than buying from a dealer

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Questions to ask

• Has this car been in an accident or flood?
• How many miles?
• Are you the original owner? If not who did you
  buy it from?
• Why are you selling it?
• What doesnt work or needs repair?
• Does the air conditioning work?
• Has the timing belt been replaced?

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What to look for

• Check body for rust, dents, indication that its
  been in an accident
• Listen for engine knocking or pinging
• Take it for a test drive on highway
• Listen for road noises
• Any wobbles or vibrations?
• Does it handle well?
• Does transmission slip?
• Are there oil spots where the car was parked?

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What to pay

• Determine the vehicles Blue Book value

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How to finish the deal

• Before you shake hands on a deal
• May want to have a third party inspect the
  vehicle
• Once you have decided to buy it and settled on a
  reasonable price, be sure that the vehicle has a
  valid and clear title (no liens)
• After settling on the vehicle need to get
  insurance before you can drive it (get the VIN
  from the title)
• Will need to go to the courthouse to get the
  vehicle registered and get plates

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How to maintain

• Check the oil every time you fill up with gas
• Check tire pressure once a month
• Check antifreeze before winter sets in
• Check belts regularly
• Check brakes regularly
• Check transmission fluid regularly
• Be consistent with type of gasoline (with ethanol
  or without ethanol)