Buying a used car is a great way to save you some money, but consider these tips before buying.

A family is looking at a used car on a dealership lot.

• Are you interested in a used car?
• Should I buy through a dealer or an individual?
• What are the benefits of exchanging my vehicle at a dealership vs sell the car myself?
• How do I know that the used car I want is in good condition? Once you decide to buy a used car, these tips can help you through the process.

Inspect the car yourself to make sure it is mechanically correct, or ask a certified mechanic to inspect it. Look for signs of wear, rust, paint peeling, and other warnings.

Pay for vehicle reports with an independent service. From floods to bent chassis, you'll know the severe damage your car has suffered.

Check the prices of your favourite cars with official guides. Values vary by car make and model, model year, condition, mileage and performance. You can use this information to negotiate the best price with the seller.

Protect yourself from fraud. Before making a purchase, check your vehicle identification number (VIN) to ensure no car theft has been reported.

Also, look at the VIN plate and registration documentation to ensure they haven't been tampered with. It makes sense to be extra cautious with any private seller who only wants cash or refuses to give you an address and phone number.

Trade-in at a dealer or sell your car.

For many people, trading at a dealer offers a convenient bargaining solution when purchasing a used car from a dealer. For others, it may be preferable to sell the vehicle themselves. Maximize what you could get for your car by trading it in at a dealer by following a few key steps:

Get ready by taking advantage of online car appraisal tools. These tools can give you a good idea of ​​how much your car could be worth. The key is to check out various sites and be realistic when evaluating the condition of your vehicle; very few cars rated "excellent." Be honest when talking to your dealer about the car you want to trade with him. Any repairs that this needs could be quickly discovered with a mechanical overhaul.

Learn how the market works. Not because an appraisal tool indicates that your car is worth $ 5,000 does that mean that you will get that amount from a dealer. To get an idea of ​​the range of offerings, visit several dealerships, including at least one that is different from your make of car.

Use the exchange value as a trading tool. If you can't negotiate the price of a new car with the dealer, you may be able to ask them to improve the total value of your trade-in to entice you to do business with them. You can buy your car from Upper Darby used car dealership.

Separate the trade-in value of your shopping cart from your car. Once you agree on the trade-in value at a dealership, make sure it is treated as a credit. Then he begins to negotiate the price of the new car separately. This can help reduce the sales tax you pay for your new, used car.