Used Car Buying Guide
Based on my experiences with buying used cars, the best approach is to buy a low mileage single owner vehicle with a solid maintenance history from a private party seller. This is not easily achieved, but it is usually worth the effort it requires.
Clean title
You will be tempted by the prices of a salvaged title vehicle, but you should only buy one with a clean title.
Talk to qualify
It is fine to communicate via text or email, but the second step should always be speaking to the seller to determine if it is worth pursuing.
Know the value
The seller is also going to use KBB to price the vehicle, so do that and check other sources such as NADA Guides. Also, look all the other similar vehicles for sale to assess supply and market value.
Title in owner’s name
Beware of “curbed” vehicles. These are dealer vehicles listed and presented as for sale by owner. The way to avoid this is by making sure the name of the person you are buying it from is listed on the title.
Make a list
Write your questions down before you call and get a straight answer on all of them. You can refer to the Suburban Buying Guide for specific questions to ask.
Negotiate
High retail means the vehicle needs absolutely no work - not a dent/scratch repair, light replaced, brakes, tires, etc. Everything it needs reduces the price accordingly. Your goal is to purchase as close to the wholesale value as possible.
Cash is king
Set your budget and have the cash on hand, so you can move quickly when the right vehicle comes on the market
Know the history
At a minimum, get the VIN and use the NICDB to check whether the vehicle has been reported as stolen or a salvage title. You should also check the VIN matches the title when you inspect the vehicle.
Inspect thoroughly
Take your time and do not skip any of the steps of the inspection and remember some things such as warning lights are deal breakers. It is your choice on whether to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, but when you are at a lower price point, this is not always feasible.
Beware of scams
I have bought and sold all my vehicles on Craigslist, but always be wary of scams. Spend some time browsing a days worth of the for sale by owner and dealer listings then you will know what looks right and what does not.
Silence is golden
When you inspect the vehicle, ask the seller for a few minutes uninterrupted to check out the vehicle. It is difficult to focus on what you need to look for when someone else is talking.
Walk away
Go with your gut and if something does not feel right, walk away from the deal. You should also walk away from a vehicle with any warning lights illuminated on the dash no matter “how easy it is to fix"!
Watch this YouTube video to learn more about how to buy a used car…
Ready to buy a Suburban?
Check out the Suburban Buying Guide