Monday, 2 August 2010

Reliable Used Cars - 3 Killer Tips For Finding Them

A lot of people nowadays choose to purchase second hand cars instead of brand new ones. It makes a lot of sense really. Instead of spending more on something brand new, you can take the extra time to find something used but in good condition, so that you can simply spend the difference on something else, like mortgage payments or a vacation.

The key is to find reliable used cars. After all, there are quite a lot of used cars available on the market, but some of these are lemons and others aren't very good value for money. If you're someone who's looking to buy a pre-owned car, but you want to be as sure as possible that you're getting something in proper condition, then keep these tips in mind.

1. Do some research on the make and model that you're considering.

Before delving into the condition of the specific car that you're looking at, do some digging into the quality of that car in general. The truth is that some cars are built to a higher quality than others, and those higher-quality cars have a better chance of remaining in good condition, even several years after they roll off the dealer's lot. So do some research. The Internet offers a lot of information on cars and vehicles quality. Check out automotive magazines, as well as sites like Consumer Reports, which review and rate reliable used cars.

2. Do some digging into the specific car that you'd like to buy.

There is a number of options available to consumers, depending on where they are, which allow them to find out more about a car's history. For instance, the Department of Justice has its National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, which allows prospective buyers to pull up information on a particular car's title and odometer information, as well as some of its damage history. These reports aren't free, but the charges can be quite worth it, since you're trying to make sure that you don't sink a lot of your money into a poor quality car.

3. Find a mechanic that you can trust, and one who knows how to conduct vehicle inspections.

Of course, you'll want to bring a mechanic with you to inspect the vehicles that you're considering, but even before you get to that point, already try to find someone you can trust. Not all mechanics are honest, and some of them may either exaggerate the amount of repair work that might be needed, or downplay any damage that they find, if they think that this will benefit them. So you need to find a mechanic who's honest, and in addition, you need to find someone who knows how to inspect cars. If you get a mechanic who just mostly knows engines, for instance, then he or she might miss problems with the transmission.

Looking for almost brand new cars can be an insurance of reliability that's what seized car auctions can be a great alternative when looking for reliable used cars. Click here to find the nearest government auction in your area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Alinsan