Based on recent reports from the automotive sector, an estimated 75 percent of Americans choose to buy used vehicles over new ones. Though buying a brand-new vehicle that has never had another owner can be a tempting and exciting prospect, it’s not the best choice for everyone. After all, new vehicles are significantly more expensive than used ones. Besides that, they can lose 20 percent or more of their initial value in the first year after you buy them. They tend to lose another 10 to 15 percent each year for the next several years as well.
Buying used cars utah can save people a great deal of money and help them avoid much of the grief of depreciation. At the same time, you’ll have far more used models than new ones to choose from. That’ll give you more of an opportunity to find the perfect vehicle to suit your lifestyle and give you all the features and amenities you’re looking for. It’s important to protect yourself by doing plenty of research before investing in a used vehicle, though. The following measures can help you get a vehicle that’s truly worth your money.
Research Different Makes and Models
You may want to start your research on a more general note. Think about the types of vehicle that would best suit your needs and lifestyle, such as a full-size truck, an SUV, or a sedan. From there, look into a few makes and models that fit those parameters. Narrow down the choices to the ones you like the most based on their looks, standard features, and options.
With a few makes and models in mind, you can branch out a bit. Read reviews and look for forums about those you’re interested in to find out what people are saying about them. If you see someone driving one of your models of interest, ask them what they think about it. People are usually happy to talk about their vehicles. Ask them what they like about it, what they don’t, and whether they’d buy it again if they had the choice.
From there, find out if certain year models were better than others and whether they were known for specific problems. Find out if there are any recalls in effect for those vehicles. Those initial measures will give you a good starting point and help you weed out some of the vehicles you might be better off avoiding.
Digging Deeper
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can start digging deeper. This is the point where you’ll be looking at specific vehicles, and it’s the time when checking their individual histories will come into play. To truly delve into a particular vehicle’s history, you’ll need its VIN. That’s the 17-digit number you’ll find in the lower left-hand corner of its windshield or on the inside edge of the driver’s door.
Armed with the VIN, you may be able to learn a little about a vehicle’s title and history through your local DMV. You may not be able to get a full history report on the vehicle via this route, though. More comprehensive information will likely be available through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, including title and damage history. The National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers free VIN checks to determine if a vehicle has been reported stolen or has a salvage title. Several other VIN check tools are available online as well.
Finding the Best Used Vehicle for You
Far too many people jump at the first vehicle that catches their eye only to end up regretting it later on. It’s important to do your research before making this type of investment. Start by doing general research on the makes and models you’re interested in to eliminate those that may give you problems in the long run. Then, get more in-depth with your research by conducting VIN checks to learn about the history and status of specific vehicles. Those measures will protect you and ensure you find a used vehicle that’s likely to serve you well.
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