The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #7

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year. Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

Mistake #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.

Mistake #3 – Not looking at the vehicle inspection report.

Mistake #4 – Ignoring fuel consumption.

Mistake #5 – Ignoring Certified cars (CPOs) or extended warranties.

Mistake #6 – Don’t comparison shop.

Mistake #7 – Not buying from a reputable dealer.

I work at Michael Stead’s Hilltop Ford. There are a lot of small used car outlets in our area. It is heartbreaking to hear the nightmare experiences of buying a used car somewhere else.

STORY – An unemployed Brenda walked onto our sales lot one day. She told me a sad story about her last car buying experience: Less than a month after buying her used car from a small used car dealer the transmission broke down. It turns out that she hadn’t checked either the vehicle history report or the vehicle inspection report prior to buying it. Instead, she took the salesperson’s word that the car had been fully checked out.

She soon discovered that it would cost $3,500 to get the car running again. She didn’t have the money. She asked the dealership to fix the car but they refused. Brenda tried to sell the car to get out from under her remaining bank loan. But the dealer hadn’t completed the paperwork to give her a clear title. Without the title she couldn’t sell the vehicle.

Stuck, she let the car sit in its broken-down condition. Because she no longer had reliable transportation to get to her job, she was fired. When she walked onto our sales lot and asked me for help she was out of work and desperate. We went to work to get her help with her non-working vehicle, and did everything possible to get her into another car. Unfortunately, Brenda was not able to get approval on a second car loan, and the last I spoke with her she was going back to the dealer to try and resolve the numerous outstanding issues. It was a sad and unfortunate situation.

INSIDER INFORMATION – Buying from a reputable dealer will help you feel comfortable and safe in your used car purchase.

One reason that I work for a major dealership is because of the high standards and transparent dealings. I will:

• provide a free vehicle history report
• show you the vehicle inspection report
• explain warranties and the Ford Certified Pre-owned vehicle (CPO) program
• explain the Stead Certified Pre-owned Vehicle Package w/Warranty Wrap
• help you find information online
• for convenience you can even complete your credit application online
• invite you to test drive the same car more than one

There is a reason why I work where I do – and why I sell used car to my friends and neighbors – and they still like me afterwards.

And there is a reason why my friends and neighbors recommend me to their friends – and friends of friends, and so on.

See the next article in this series:

Mistake #8 – Not following your gut instinct.