Used Car Checklist

1). Determine Your Needs

Before anything else, you must determine what your automotive needs are. Are you in need of extra space because of your growing family? Do you do a lot of commuting and need a fuel-efficient sedan? Determining the type of used car you need is step one.

From there, determine the features you need to enhance your commute. Do you want all-wheel drive capabilities? What about a rearview camera? Before starting your used car search, determining what you need in your next ride is a must.

2). Decide on a Budget

After deciding what features you need, next you must decide on a comfortable budget. Experts suggest spending no more than 10% of your monthly pay on your car payments.

Some things that may alter your monthly payments include:

• Down payment
• Interest rate
• Trade-in value of current vehicle

Consider playing around with a payment calculator or buying power tool to help you decide on a comfortable budget.

3). Learn About the Vehicle’s Past

Now that a car or two has caught your attention, it’s important to learn about each vehicle’s past. Many used cars come with a complimentary CARFAX Vehicle History Report™. These reports act like a time machine, allowing you to look back on important milestones in the vehicle’s life.

These reports let you learn about the number of previous drivers, what service was performed when, and more.

4). Have it Inspected

If the vehicle’s past fits what you’re looking for, next you should have the vehicle inspected. You can do this by touring the vehicle and visually inspecting both the exterior and interior yourself. This way, you can check that everything looks perfect.

You can also have a technician perform a quick inspection if you like. If you have any questions about the vehicle, don’t be afraid to ask.

5). Take it for a Test Drive

Now for the fun part…it’s time to get behind the wheel and take the vehicle for a spin. Here are some questions you should ask yourself while taking the vehicle for a test drive:

• Can I get the seat in the perfect position?
• Is there enough room for passengers and/or travel gear?
• How does it drive on both residential and highway roads?

The most important question to ask yourself is if you feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel.