Buying or Selling a Car, Truck or Other Vehicle

Buying and selling vehicles generally seems to be a daunting task for many people. Whether you are buying a new or a used vehicle or selling one, there are several issues that’s that seem to loom ahead of us.

Buying a New Vehicle

When trying to decide whether to buy a new vehicle or a used one, the finances available are not the only issue. Where even a used car in good condition may feel like “new” to you, a “brand new” model brings with it prestige, safety, technological features and reliability. As automakers roll out newer and flashier models, they incorporate more and more advanced features as well as improvising on existing ones. This typically includes increased fuel efficiency, greater traction control, more durability and better suspension and handling.

When intending to buy a new car from a dealership, the process may be much more streamlined and by the book as compared to buying a vehicle in a private sale. However, there are still a number of important factors that have to be addressed. The first and foremost is deciding upon your needs and budget. Of course, you may be one of those enthusiastic car buyers that have their mind set on a particular model of your favorite car make. However, it will do you a world of good if you expand your research by using newspaper and magazine advertisements, the web, TV commercials, friends, and finally the various dealerships.

Don’t just get hooked by the visual appeal of the vehicle or the engine power/top speed and luxury or comfort features. When researching for vehicles, whether personal cars or transport and commercial models, make sure that you also pay some attention to the safety records, the expected resale values as well as the insurance rates.

After you have completed your research, it’s time to decide whether you want to book your new vehicle online or by visiting the dealership. Where you don’t have to deal with pushy sales staff and driving around to find dealerships while narrowing down on your choice online, you still cannot finalize the deal over the internet like with other purchases and need to visit the dealership in person. The “test drive” bit is also something that is only possible by going to the dealership, unless you have hopped in the same vehicle that say your workmate just bought after their promotion. Seeing the car as a solid object in front of you and experiencing its stylistic aspects also gives you more confidence in your decision.

However, after all is said and done, you may still end up with a flawed vehicle or what is commonly termed as a “lemon.” Don’t worry, as there are lemon laws in every state that protect consumers.

Buying a used Vehicle

If you have been buying and selling vehicles from time to time then you already know how to get the best deals, whether it is from a used car dealer, an auction or through friends and acquaintances. However, if you are new to the used car market, there are some additional factors that come into play. After you have done your research and decided upon your budget, the first thing that you would be concerned about is that the title of the car is in the name of the dealer or the private seller and that the correct odometer reading is mentioned on the “title reassignment sheet.”

Typically, the mileage of the vehicle should be coming around to 12,000 miles per year. So if the odometer reading on a 15-year old car is only 50,000 miles then quite likely the odometer has been tampered with. You also need to make sure that any and all liens or outstanding loans have been cleared and whether it is still in warranty. For somewhat older models, receipts of major repairs are a good indication of the maintenance history of the vehicle.

Selling a vehicle
When selling a vehicle, everyone is usually concerned about getting the best value for your car. If you have taken care of your vehicle, such as getting it tuned up on a regular basis, not getting into a fender bender and protecting the paint job with waxing and washing with mild detergents, you really want to get a good price.  However, in case you are selling a vehicle that has been salvaged, such as from an auto accident or a flood, then you really need to be upfront about the status. Every state has its own particular “salvaged auto requirements” and so you need to be aware of those that apply in your case. The Department of Motor Vehicles levies stringent fines on individuals who try to conceal the salvaged status of their vehicle so take care.

Before selling your vehicle, make sure that you have removed the license tags and returned them to the DMV and requested a refund on your registration if there are any months still remaining till the expiry. The title transfer also has to be properly carried out so that you are free from all liabilities after the vehicle changes hands.

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