What to Check When Buying a Used Car

New London shoppers in the market for a used car might find themselves overwhelmed by the wide variety of makes, models, and years available. Where to even begin trying to choose a great car at the right price? Knowing what to check for when buying a new car can help buyers narrow down the options and be confident they’re getting exactly what they need. Find out more with Westbrook Honda.

What to Check When Buying a Used Car: Home

There are plenty of things you can check from home when you start the process of buying a used car. Here’s your at-home checklist:

• Calculate Your Budget: The first step is knowing you budget before you hit the Branford-area car lots. You can check your budget with our payment calculator. If you have a car to trade in, make sure you use our Value Your Trade tool, too.

• See What the Experts Say: Check out what sources like Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power and Associates have to say about the reliability of late-model vehicles, and then check the safety stats from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These sources can also tell you about the cost of ownership, which you should then figure into your budget.

• Choose Your Options: Once you have this information you should be able to choose three makes, models, and years that interest you the most. Use our vehicle finder to get started on finding the used cars you’ve checked out.

What to Check When Buying a Used Car: Dealership

You don’t need to kick the tires on your favorite used car options to check out how they’re going to fare on Middletown streets. Instead, here’s what you need to check when you visit the dealership to buy your used vehicle:

• Vehicle History Report: When you check the car’s vehicle history report you’ll remove a lot of the guesswork out of choosing a used car. Look for a report that indicates the car has a clean title and hasn’t been in any major accidents or incidents. You should also verify the number of owners and the mileage. If the vehicle history report doesn’t include maintenance records, ask for them. Avoid used cars that weren’t kept on their maintenance schedule.

• Test Drive: A test drive should be about making sure the car is a good ergonomic fit for you, but also pay attention to the amount of power it has, if the brakes are responsive, and if there are any unusual noises or vibrations.

• Get an Inspection: While our service department inspects all used vehicles before they hit the lot, and our certified pre-owned Honda vehicles have passed a factory-mandated inspection, you can still have your potential vehicle inspected by the mechanic of your choice.

Find Your Next Vehicle at Westbrook Honda

We can help you find your next used car at Westbrook Honda! Contact us with any questions you have about the car-buying process or what you need to check when buying a used car.