What to Look for When Buying a Used Car
How to Buy a Used Car
There’s a lot to know when it comes to buying a used car – but don’t worry.
That’s where we come in.
Read on to learn more about what to look for when buying a used car, what you need to know before making your purchase and how programs like INFINITI’s Certified Pre-Owned offering can help make your experience one less steeped in stress and more fluent in luxury.
That’s where we come in.
Read on to learn more about what to look for when buying a used car, what you need to know before making your purchase and how programs like INFINITI’s Certified Pre-Owned offering can help make your experience one less steeped in stress and more fluent in luxury.
Knowing Your Budget and Financing Options
The first thing to take into account when considering a used car purchase is your budget. Simply put: how much money are you looking to spend on your new-to-you vehicle? Whatever your price range, you’ll have different financing options available to you at the time of purchase – whether you’re looking to lease, sign up for a loan or even pay with cash up-front for your new luxury vehicle.
Beyond these different financing options, your budget could gain some flexibility by exploring vehicle trade-in and Retailer offers, both of which will help you stretch your dollar when buying your next used luxury vehicle.
Beyond these different financing options, your budget could gain some flexibility by exploring vehicle trade-in and Retailer offers, both of which will help you stretch your dollar when buying your next used luxury vehicle.
Researching and Choosing the Right Luxury Car Model
Buying a car can be an emotion-driven experience, but it’s important to make sure the vehicle you’ve got your eye on is the right fit for your lifestyle. A Certified Pre-Owned Q60 might be an incredibly fun ride – but if you’ve got a whole cadre of kids to haul around, that QX60 sitting beside it might be a bit closer to what you’re after!
Start by looking toward reputable, reliable resources like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power to help steer you straight in terms of the make and model you’re considering. Does the vehicle you’re looking at have all the features you need? Does it boast the performance you’re looking for? Is it reliable? Is it available as part of a Certified Pre-Owned program? All these considerations should factor into your decision-making.
Start by looking toward reputable, reliable resources like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power to help steer you straight in terms of the make and model you’re considering. Does the vehicle you’re looking at have all the features you need? Does it boast the performance you’re looking for? Is it reliable? Is it available as part of a Certified Pre-Owned program? All these considerations should factor into your decision-making.
Where to Buy a Used Car
Now that you’ve got your budget sorted, it’s time to work out where to buy that used car of your dreams.
You’ve got a plethora of options at your disposal here – running the gamut from used car dealerships to private sellers to online platforms – but to our mind, the best path would be that of purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle.
By buying Certified Pre-Owned, you get to enjoy the ongoing Retailer support and benefits that come part-and-parcel with these types of customer-centric experiences. This includes limited warranty programs and detail-oriented inspections as well as peace-of-mind considerations like roadside assistance, vehicle history reports and more.
By buying Certified Pre-Owned, you get to enjoy the ongoing Retailer support and benefits that come part-and-parcel with these types of customer-centric experiences. This includes limited warranty programs and detail-oriented inspections as well as peace-of-mind considerations like roadside assistance, vehicle history reports and more.
What to Check When Buying a Used Car
Wherever you decide to buy your used car, there are a few things you’ll want to check out before you make the decision to sign on the dotted line, including:
By opting to purchase your used vehicle through a Certified Pre-Owned program, the lion’s share of those concerns is simply handled for you. Multi-point inspections, limited warranty coverage and additional considerations are taken care of by the Retailer – meaning that virtually the only thing you need to worry about is whether you prefer that QX50 in Lunar White or Hermosa Blue.
- Exterior. Keep an eye out for any scratches, dings, potential corrosion or body work that doesn’t look quite right.
- Interior. Inspect the seating, upholstery and headliner to ensure there are no tears, stains or flaws. Try the controls – they should feel responsive and smooth.
- Mechanics. If you’ve got the know-how, pop the hood and take a peek around. Look out for leaks, fluids underneath the vehicle or just an overly-dirty engine (which suggests a lack of attention and maintenance).
- Vehicle history. What do the maintenance records say? Has the vehicle been taken care of and serviced properly throughout its life? Has it been in any accidents worth noting?
By opting to purchase your used vehicle through a Certified Pre-Owned program, the lion’s share of those concerns is simply handled for you. Multi-point inspections, limited warranty coverage and additional considerations are taken care of by the Retailer – meaning that virtually the only thing you need to worry about is whether you prefer that QX50 in Lunar White or Hermosa Blue.
What to Ask When Buying a Used Car
There is no shortage of questions worth posing when you’re considering investing in a previously-owned vehicle. Not sure what to ask? Start here:
- What is the current owner’s reason for selling?
- How many previous owners has the vehicle had?
- What does the maintenance records look like – has the vehicle been reliably looked after?
- Does the vehicle have any current or known issues?
- What sort of Certified Pre-Owned benefits may or may not apply to that particular vehicle?
Test Drives, Pre-Purchase Inspections and Opting for a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Now we’re on to the fun bit: getting behind the wheel of your potential vehicle. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of first climbing into the driver’s seat, getting comfortable and feeling that Q50 or QX80 come to life around you.
Beyond just being a good time, going for that all-important test drive will give you a sense of how your potential next car or SUV is behaving from a mechanical standpoint. Does the vehicle start and stop the way it should? Does it handle smoothly? Are there any clunks, clangs or other concerning noises worth following up with the seller about?
In addition to going for a test drive, one of the best tips for buying a used car involves getting a pre-purchase inspection done by a professional mechanic, just to make sure that everything is running precisely the way it should.
This is again where going with a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle can be a difference-maker, because these cars and SUVs are all treated to multi-point vehicle inspections in order to gain their Certified status. Not only that, but Certified Pre-Owned vehicles feature limited warranty coverage as well – so you’ll have the support of your Retailer if a problem ever does arise.
Beyond just being a good time, going for that all-important test drive will give you a sense of how your potential next car or SUV is behaving from a mechanical standpoint. Does the vehicle start and stop the way it should? Does it handle smoothly? Are there any clunks, clangs or other concerning noises worth following up with the seller about?
In addition to going for a test drive, one of the best tips for buying a used car involves getting a pre-purchase inspection done by a professional mechanic, just to make sure that everything is running precisely the way it should.
This is again where going with a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle can be a difference-maker, because these cars and SUVs are all treated to multi-point vehicle inspections in order to gain their Certified status. Not only that, but Certified Pre-Owned vehicles feature limited warranty coverage as well – so you’ll have the support of your Retailer if a problem ever does arise.
Negotiating the Price and Finalizing the Purchase
You’ve chosen your previously-owned vehicle. You’ve looked into histories, managed inspections and enjoyed a great first test drive out on the road. Now, all that’s left to do is negotiate the deal and finalize your purchase.
While the term “negotiations” can sometimes come along with a pang of anxiety, there really isn’t anything to fear here – all you’re doing is taking the facts you’ve put together and determining a fair price for your vehicle. Keep in mind if you make the decision to purchase through a Retailer that some of that cost quoted is associated with the premium services offered by a Certified Pre-Owned program. This might be a slight additional expense, but is one well-worth it for the added confidence it provides.
Once you’ve come to an agreement on price, all that’s left to do is sign the paperwork and you’ll be set to hit the Infinite Road – wherever it might lead you.
While the term “negotiations” can sometimes come along with a pang of anxiety, there really isn’t anything to fear here – all you’re doing is taking the facts you’ve put together and determining a fair price for your vehicle. Keep in mind if you make the decision to purchase through a Retailer that some of that cost quoted is associated with the premium services offered by a Certified Pre-Owned program. This might be a slight additional expense, but is one well-worth it for the added confidence it provides.
Once you’ve come to an agreement on price, all that’s left to do is sign the paperwork and you’ll be set to hit the Infinite Road – wherever it might lead you.
Final Thoughts on What to Look for When Buying a Used Car
Buying a used car is a process, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting or intimidating one. Just take the time to do your research, ask the right questions and ensure the vehicle you’re looking at ticks all the right boxes.
Of course, there are certainly ways to make the experience even easier and more accommodating. By purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, you have both the expert Retailer assistance on hand to walk you through the process and the confidence to enjoy your new-to-you luxury vehicle worry-free.
Contact your local INFINITI Retailer today to learn more – and happy shopping!
Of course, there are certainly ways to make the experience even easier and more accommodating. By purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, you have both the expert Retailer assistance on hand to walk you through the process and the confidence to enjoy your new-to-you luxury vehicle worry-free.
Contact your local INFINITI Retailer today to learn more – and happy shopping!