Organization is key when purchasing a used car, organization is key in most things in life. But that’s another topic, for another day. Getting a clear picture of what your end goal looks like is necessary. We are familiar and experienced with used cars, and here are a few tips from us.
Priorities
We would suggest starting by writing down your priorities. What are the most important factors for you to go ahead with a used car. A few that always stand out to us are, budget, safety and reliability. Of course there are a lot more important factors such as fuel consumption, mileage, model, engine, design etc…So put together a must have list, the list will keep you in check and guide you towards what is really important to you in a vehicle.
Set a Budget
This is definitely one that you want to be very specific about. Setting a budget that fits your financial capabilities is extremely important. By doing so, you’ll see realistically what you are able to afford. And that’s a great thing to be clear about, because it will make your research a lot smoother going forward.
List of Cars
Once you have a budget set, you’ll be able to see specific vehicles that are available to you. One great way of finding out what kind of cars fit your budget is to go on a car listing website. Select the budget you settled on and the website will provide you the car models, years, conditions that are available to you. If you are not too impressed from there, feel free to adjust your budget and see what vehicles will be available to you then. It will be a back and forth process, and it will clear up a lot of questions you may have.
If you already know what vehicle you’d prefer, go ahead and select the information you know you want. See what comes up, it might be a older model than you originally wanted, again adjust your price to preview different years.
We of course are also available to help during this process. We are experienced with used cars and can recognize quality and durability, feel free to contact us for any help you might need.
Safety History
Safety is a very important factor when purchasing any car, older or new. There are a lot of resources online to find car safety records. Our favourite website is car complaints, you can preview all the years of that specific model you’re leaning towards. And decide which year you’d prefer, based on recalls and what types of problems the vehicles experienced.
Essential Paperwork
Make sure the car you are purchasing has factual paperwork provided that proves oil changes, maintenance record and repair history. It’s important to be aware and know about the history of the car.
Pre-purchase Inspection
When in doubt have the car checked out. We offer an extensive pre-purchase inspection on any make and model that goes beyond a safety inspection. We look for any leaks underneath, paint thickness, driveability tests and much more. You will receive a detailed report on any repairs needed or that might come up in the near future which is a great negotiating tool when purchasing a used vehicle.
We would be more than happy to help during this process, we have plenty knowledge and resources to do so. And most importantly, we value and operate with high standards in quality and safety. Contact us today for any help or questions regarding used cars.
The Centre for All Your Car Needs
Peter’s Auto is the centre for all your car needs with over 20 years of experience in repairing a variety of cars along with up to date mechanics and equipment. Our knowledgeable and helpful staff will take care of all your auto service and repair needs.
Our shop is located in Kitchener, ON. We proudly serve the following areas: Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph.
Click Here to Schedule an Appointment for your next service or repair today! You can also contact us by phone at (519) 578-4533 or email: info@petersauto.ca
