Buying a Used Car: How to Know if it's Reliable or Not
When buying a new car, you know exactly what they're getting. You can look up reviews, read reports, speak with experts at the dealership, and go on as many test drives as you'd like. Buying a used car, however, is a bit trickier. It can be a little harder to know every detail about the vehicle you're purchasing—however, it's not impossible.
When looking at a used car to buy, you want to make sure that it is reliable, that it's coming from a trustworthy source, and that it is in peak condition. Here are some tips on how to keep these three key things in mind.
Talk to a mechanic
Speaking with someone who knows cars, especially if they're an expert in the brand of vehicle you are buying, is always a good idea. Ask your mechanic about the potential problems your vehicle could encounter (are loose brake pads common? Does the model have a history of odd noises the older it gets?, etc.) and, if possible, have them look it over before you make the purchase.
Check out J.D. Power data
J.D. Power is one of the most dependable databases of automotive reliability data. There are two different measures for used-car reliability: you can check out the Initial Quality Study, which measures a car's problems in its first 90 days of ownership, or the Long Term Dependability Study, which measures the problems owners have with their cars' first three years. You can find patterns (or lack thereof), which can help you make a purchasing decision.
Read online reports and forums
Going hand-in-hand with checking out the website above, you can also read online reports of other used vehicles of the same make and model as your potential one. People will talk about issues they are having with their vehicles, so a simple search is all you need to unearth a variety of reviews. Take these with a grain of salt—they are people's opinions, after all. But if you come across many negative reviews, that's something to consider.
Consider an inspection
This is the best option to know exactly what you're getting from the specific car you're looking at. While internet reports and forums are a good way of seeing how the general model of your vehicle fares, no one is saying anything about your individual car. Getting an inspection is a great way to find any problems that could be unique to just that vehicle.
With these options before you, you are sure to make the right purchasing decision. A little bit of research goes a long way—and it can make the difference in catching any potential problems before they arise.