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Why You Should Consider Buying Used Cars

Public transportation is readily available in different places around the world. But while mass transit has a handful of advantages, these can be outweighed by some of its drawbacks. Public transportation can be distance- and time-sensitive, restricting individuals with their transportation control and mobility.

People who travel daily for work, school, and errands will benefit the most from owning a private vehicle. But as advantageous as owning a private vehicle is, it’s challenging to save a large amount of money for this significant purchase. When buying a brand-new vehicle isn’t within arm’s reach, opting for used cars is your next best choice.

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Finding Secondhand Cars: How Do They Work?

Before browsing for any car make and model, it’s crucial to identify your desired car functions and features, as well as your budget range. Since used cars have already been driven off the lot, the age and mileage are also essential factors that impact the car’s value during a sale.

Used cars are typically available in two options: purchasing from a certified dealership or directly buying from a private seller. These methods can be found both online and offline. In terms of quality and reliability, purchasing from dealerships is a safer option.

Dealerships offer a wide selection of used vehicles with fair and competitive pricing. They usually offer popular brands like Honda that have been inspected and certified for resale. To find used cars within your location, you can search used car listings from different websites, or look for dealership information from the Yellow Pages.

Is A Used Car Really Worth It?

While hunting for a car, you might need to seriously evaluate if purchasing a used one is really worthwhile. If a secondhand car still doesn’t sound appealing to you, check out these five reasons why you should consider buying a used car:

1. Steer Clear Of Huge Depreciation

On its first drive, a car immediately loses a portion of its current value. Depreciation indicates how much of a brand-new car’s value has been used up once you’ve made the purchase and driven it. Here is an estimated breakdown of a brand-new car’s depreciation:

  • After driving off the lot: 9-11%
  • After one year: 20%
  • After five years: 15-25%

For instance, a $30,000 vehicle can only be sold for around $12,000 on its fifth year, which can be a financial hit for some car owners. Take note that this is only the average depreciation and it also depends on your car make and model.

By purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, you can avoid this enormous depreciation that can put you at a disadvantage once you decide to sell your car. On the buyer’s side, a depreciated car is advantageous as you can purchase it at a lower price. 

2. Cut Back On Registration And Insurance Fees

As cars depreciate value over time, so do its associated payments such as insurance and registration premiums. If you’re a type of vehicle owner who wants to maximize the use of their vehicle and spend less on its monthly payments, secondhand cars are worth looking at.

Car insurance should always come with a car purchase. In terms of used car insurance, the insurance rates will depend upon your car model and insurer. Most of the time, however, insurance rates for used cars are relatively lower than new cars. After all, a secondhand car has less value than a fresh, newly-released car, thus less costs of insuring them in case of any accidents.

Another important aspect of vehicle ownership is ensuring updated car registration. Registration fees vary from city to city, but most of them charge higher fees on newer and more expensive vehicles. 

3. Ensure Peace Of Mind

At first glance, secondhand cars can be a dangerous option as they have already been used by other people. Indeed, it can be unreliable to purchase a used car from a private seller, but dealerships guarantee peace of mind for car owners who want to save money from getting a new car.

Fortunately, dealerships perform inspections and authentications before buying used cars from the previous owner. They follow strict standards in accepting these vehicles with minimal to manageable issues. In this way, you can ensure that you’re eyeing quality vehicles.

For added certainty, it’s ideal to have a professional inspection with your trusted mechanic. Include a test drive during inspection and make sure to utilize as many car functions and features as you can, and drive through different types of roads.

Additionally, requesting for a vehicle history report is a worthwhile investment. These records offer real-time, up-to-date information regarding the vehicle’s history, such as accidents, repairs, changed parts, new ownership, and more. With the help of a history report, you can avoid a bad purchase. 

4. Get Various Options

The cycle of purchasing and selling cars is continuous. Annually, approximately 350 pre-owned car models are for sale in the US alone. Despite having a planned car make and model in mind, you’ll be overwhelmed by countless options that await you in the dealership’s showroom.

Also, most of these vehicles have been enhanced and customized by previous owners. While some cars have little room for your own customization, you can score unique car accessories, gadgets, and upgrades that don’t come with a brand-new purchase. As long as you’re patient in checking out available configurations, you can definitely find one that matches with your personality and taste.

5. Be Informed By The Aftermarket

Having a meaningful community that shares the same vehicle ownership experiences with you is an amazing guide. The automotive aftermarket is a reliable avenue in purchasing vehicle parts, components, and accessories that you can install in your car. What’s great about the aftermarket is that it’s not all about monetary transactions; there’s also a wealth of information available in this community.

Aftermarket websites, forums, and online discussions have active fellow car users and experts lurking around to provide information about different car makes and models. If you’re planning to purchase a used car, you can ask for recommendations and reviews, as well as questions about how to maximize your purchase. 

Final Thoughts

Buying a pre-owned car is a gamble. It’s undoubtedly riskier than buying a car fresh from the market. Looking through the right dealerships, however, can minimize the risks of having a bad buying experience. Thanks to the benefits of purchasing pre-owned cars, you can finally achieve transportation freedom and mobility without burning a hole through your pocket.

About Jason Trevino

Jason is a talented and advanced author, blogger and auto expert. He is determined in researching thousands of products so as to make it easy for the owners to find the best products. He focuses on giving users better understanding on products they are using and ones they anticipate to buy.

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