It’s the middle of tax season, which officially makes this the busiest time of year for car dealerships. Consumers are getting their income tax refunds back, and they’re ready to get into a new set of wheels. While new cars remain popular, used cars are still very high in demand. Consumers, and particularly women, have to be very careful when purchasing used vehicles as they can come with issues that range from just being cosmetic in nature to serious mechanical problems. Before you look up lemon law in California, learn how to pick out a used car that’s guaranteed to be road worthy. Here is a simple guide for women who are in the market for a used car.
Go to the Car Dealership Prepared
If you are ready to buy a car, you have to have all of your affairs in order. Do you know what your credit score is at the present and have you already been pre-approved to purchase a vehicle? Don’t depend on the dealership to get you financing. Be sure that you can qualify to purchase a car or come with the cash ahead of time. Look only at used cars that come certified and with an extended warranty. This way, you won’t be stuck paying for major auto repairs.
Do Your Vehicle History Homework
Before you go on over to a car dealership you should already know which cars you are interested in. There is generally enough information about cars listed for sale online for you to be able to pull up their histories, noting how many accidents they’ve been in and the number of previous owners they’ve had. Instead of relying on used cars salespeople to tell you about each car’s history and features, you can have printed copies of all their records. This will help you to save time during your search, and you won’t be swayed into purchasing a car that is not mechanically sound.
Work with a Certified Mechanic
It’s one thing to know the history of a car you are thinking about purchasing and another to show up at an auto dealership with a certified mechanic in tow. Not only can a mechanic inspect a car right on the spot, he or she has access to portable tools that can be used to scan used cars for potential problems. When you go to a used car dealership with a mechanic you can find out if the car is good enough to buy. Rather than taking a car for a test drive and hoping for the best, you can be proactive about checking used cars thoroughly prior to purchase.
Sometimes auto dealers can assume that they can dupe female consumers into buying cars that aren’t running well. Unfortunately, even with lemon laws in place, certain groups can be targeted and exploited by dubious salespeople. Show that you have done the legwork and be confident during the negotiation process. This will help you in getting a car that runs well and is listed at a price that will get it sold fast.