The Advantages of Buying a Used Car at a Dealership

If you’re considering buying a used car, you might be wondering which route to take: purchase a used car through a dealership, or from a private seller? While the allure of getting a higher price from a private seller can seem attractive, the process comes with risks that can cost you money in the long run. There are many advantages to purchasing a used car through a reputable dealership that can save you time, frustration, and cost. Here are some of the major advantages you’ll find when buying from a used car dealership.

You Can Be Certain You’re Getting A Quality Vehicle
While private sellers will usually be selling their used vehicle as-is, dealerships will inspect all of their inventory before they put the vehicles up for sale. Laws regarding used car sales vary from state to state, but dealerships are generally subject to a higher level of scrutiny than private individuals who are selling their old cars. For instance, most states don’t mandate that cars sold privately must be able to pass state inspection, which means you can be taking on a huge amount of risk through a private purchase.

Beyond what’s mandated by law, dealerships are committed to providing their customers with a high level of quality and service. They will usually provide the vehicle history, perform a multi-step inspection, take care of any needed repairs, and have the car professionally cleaned, getting your new-to-you car as close to new as possible.

You Can Easily Choose from A Selection of Cars

A used car dealership will have a large inventory of vehicles available at any one time, which means that one trip to the dealership will allow you to compare multiple makes and models, at various price points. Even if you go to a dealership with your eye on a specific vehicle, you can compare options on the spot to make sure that you’re making an informed decision and coming home with the vehicle that’s best for you and your family.

You Can Get Financing If You Need It

Most banks are reluctant to finance an auto purchase from private sellers, which means that you would most likely need to have cash on hand for the purchase. If you go through a dealership, however, you’re much more likely to qualify for financing, and you can find options that will work within a more flexible budget while still being able to afford your purchase. Many used car dealerships can offer you financing options right at the dealership, with no trip to the bank required. And even those with a poor credit history can often get financing assistance through the dealership.

You Can Trade-in Your Old Car for A New One

If you’re ready to upgrade from your old car, going through a dealership rather than a private seller means that you can usually put the trade-in value of your old car towards your next purchase. Because used dealerships are in the business of buying cars, they’ll often make you an offer on the spot. Trading in your old vehicle while purchasing your next one will make it easy to know exactly how much you can afford and will help you make the right financial decision.

Working with A Dealership Means Less Hassle

When you buy a car from a reputable dealership, they will handle all the necessary paperwork for you. That means you won’t have to worry about the title transfer or updating the registration, saving you time and getting you on the road faster.

Your Car Will Likely Come with A Warranty

Every car owner knows what an inconvenience it can be to encounter unexpected car troubles, and how hard shouldering those unexpected costs can be. When buying a pre-owned vehicle through a dealership, your newly purchased vehicle will most likely come will a limited warranty that will cover unexpected issues after you take your car home. Be aware that, when buying a used car through an individual, even if the vehicle is still covered by the manufacturer's’ warranty, the coverage won’t always transfer to a new owner. Instead of worrying about car troubles or spending the time researching what sort of warranty your car will have, you can turn to a dealership who will clearly explain what coverage your vehicle will have, and what options may be available for purchasing an extended warranty.

You Can Trust in A Dealership’s Reputation

A trustworthy used car dealership will pride itself on its reputation. There are many places online where you can research a dealership to read reviews from real customers, so you’ll know quickly if it’s one you can trust.

Ready to buy your next vehicle?

For over a decade, Best Buy Imports has been helping people in the Philadelphia area buy late model, low mileage used cars, trucks, and SUVs. All of our vehicles come with a 30-day Powertrain Warranty that covers the engine, transmission, and more. And we’ll cover the repairs for your first 30 days and make sure you and your vehicle are ready to hit the road with confidence. Take a look at the wide selection of used cars, trucks, and SUVs currently in stock at Best Buy Imports.

Our expert team of auto finance specialists is ready to help you find a great auto loan, with Guaranteed Credit Approval and an auto financing process that is fast, simple, and hassle-free. Best Buy Imports has relationships with many of the area’s biggest lenders to help ensure you get the best rates and financing options that meet your specific financial situation. You can even start the process from home by filling out our online credit application.

Contact us today to talk to one of our experienced salespeople. Our two showrooms are conveniently located in northeast Philadelphia, serving the Philadelphia area, New Jersey, and Delaware. But even if you’re located a bit further away, our extensive inventory and unbeatable prices will make it worth the trip.

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Used Car

Buying a car used definitely gets you the most bang for your buck.  But as opposed to buying new, there are more pitfalls that can derail you along the way.  Knowledge is power – so here are the 10 most common mistakes when buying a used car, and how to avoid them.

1. Getting Emotional or Impulsive

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of emotion when shopping for a used car.  It’s fun!  It’s interesting!  Why not get that convertible?  Back up! Before you even begin to look at any used cars, you should write down a list of exactly what you need, and maybe a few thing that would be nice to have.  Then stick with that list.  Don’t browse for trucks if you are looking for an SUV or a car.  Don’t opt for bonus features you don’t really need.  Don’t get that convertible!  Figure out what your top priorities are and save yourself a lot of time while you are at it.

2. Limiting Your Search

Don’t just stay local, and don’t just browse vehicles in person.  The internet enables you to expand your search to vehicles outside your area and makes “window shopping” a breeze.  Most dealerships display their inventories online, allowing you to browse a large number of vehicles very easily.  If you find a vehicle that seems interesting but isn’t close, we recommend calling the seller before making the trip to make sure the vehicle is still available.  Which leads us to the next common mistake...

3. Not Asking the Right Questions

You can save yourself a lot of time by asking the right questions up front, especially if your dealing with a private seller.  When it comes to the vehicle itself, how old is it?  How many miles does it have?  If the vehicle is rather old, how easy will it be in the future to replace all the various parts?  Is there any kind of support or warranty that is provided?  If you are purchasing the vehicle via a private sale, does the seller possess the title and necessary inspection paperwork?  Asking the right questions at the beginning can help you avoid exerting any further energy on cars that do not meet your basic criteria.

4. Focusing Too Much on Price

Whether you are focusing exclusively on the selling price or are hyper-focused only on what the monthly payments will be, focusing too much on price can be a big mistake.  Sometimes a vehicle is cheap for a reason!  As the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  On the other hand, if your only concern now is getting a low monthly payment, then you may be paying too much in the longer term.  If you can afford a slightly higher payment to reduce the length of the loan, you should consider taking it. 

5. Blowing Your Budget

The best way to bust your budget is to not clearly understand what it is in the first place.  If you are paying cash, this is relatively simple matter, although the threat of emotional attachment still persists. But with financing it’s a bit more complex.  Free online payment calculators can assist you with determining the car loan you can really afford, with an estimate of the monthly payments to be expected.  It is important to know your upper price limit and stick within it.

6. Not Doing Your Homework

Are you in a rush to buy a car?  Slow down!  Even your need is immediate, buying a used car, when done properly, does require a fair amount of research.  You need to find out everything you can about the car before you plunk down any cash for it.  Do not assume anything about the car.  Doing your homework involves the following:

Researching the vehicle online

Understanding the features of the vehicle

Reading and understanding the vehicle’s car history report, even if you have to order it yourself. 

Be prepared to find out displeasing information that you were not expecting and proceed accordingly.  Don’t ignore the red flags!  Also don’t be shy about reaching out to some of the “experts” that you can find them in online auto forums, to ask for advice. 

7. Skipping the Test Drive

Take a test drive is important.  Again, do not be presumptive when buying a used car.  Physically inspect the vehicle, as best you can with your untrained eye, and then take it for a drive. Don’t play the radio; listen to the car.  Not only will the test drive tell you a lot about the condition of the vehicle but will allow you to clearly envision yourself owning the car.  Is this the right car for you?  The test drive will help you decide. 

A second pair of eyes and ears with you on the test drive may see or hear things that you might miss.  Even better, we recommend taking the vehicle to a mechanic.  Not only will the mechanic inspect the vehicle for any damages, but also will take it for another test drive. And if you ask, the seller might be willing to pay for the inspection.

8. Negotiating Poorly

Here’s where doing your homework comes in handy.  The more you know about the vehicle, the more formidable a negotiating partner you will make.  Detailed knowledge of the vehicle can help you to effectively agree to a fair price for both parties.  Also, whenever possible, we recommend starting negotiations over the phone or via email, rather than in person.  This may give you more control over the interaction, enabling you to display your knowledge, and hopefully resulting in getting a better deal. 

9. Not Knowing Your Financing Options

If you think that your only options for purchasing a vehicle are dealer-assisted financing or paying cash in full, you are mistaken.  Dealer-assisted financing is certainly convenient especially if paying in full is simply not an option.  But if you don’t have the cash, and you do have a good credit rating, you may want to check with your bank or credit union to compare interest rates.  However, if your credit history is not good, financing from a pre-owned auto dealership may be a very viable option.  And knowing what your financing options are before engaging in negotiations can be beneficial.

10. Not Transferring Ownership Properly

Do you know what your state DMV requires to title and register your vehicle?  The requirements can be onerous if it’s a private sale.  You may even be required to bring the seller of the vehicle to the DMV with you.  But buying from a reputable dealership will eliminate those issues, as they will handle all the required paperwork for you.

At Best Buy Imports, you can be sure of getting a reliable vehicle, with a financing plan that’s within your budget, regardless of your personal credit situation.  All of our vehicles have been completely serviced and went through our comprehensive 99-point certification and safety inspection.  And every car, truck, and SUV we sell comes with a limited warranty to give you confidence in your purchase.  Be sure to check our extensive inventory of late-model, low-mileage vehicles.

Understanding Your Vehicle’s Car History Report

Car history reports provide a wealth of information for prospective purchasers of used vehicles, but they are not always easy to read or understand. Here we offer a rundown of what you need to know to accurately interpret your vehicle’s car history report.

Reality Check: First, make sure that the information in the report aligns with the actual description of the car. Is the model year correct? Sellers may have made an honest mistake, but there is the also a remote possibility that the data was purposefully altered to increase the valuation of the car. This is more of a possibility with an individual seller than with a used car dealership. It’s always wise to use your own eyes to verify, to the extent possible, what is in the report.

Past Ownership History: How many owners has the vehicle had? This is an important piece of information as cars with numerous owners are likely to have spottier, less accurate vehicle histories. In addition, it is more difficult to verify with certainty the maintenance history of the car, or which parts may need replacement soon. Perhaps the car has changed hands numerous times because of a recurring mechanical problem that is not immediately apparent during a test drive. With fewer prior owners, the quality and accuracy of the car history report is almost certain to be higher.

Vehicle Score: Services like AutoCheck, which is often used by the professionals, provide a vehicle score that ranges from 1-100 that indicates the relative value of the vehicle as compared with all used cars. In addition, the report will include a comparison score. The comparison score is important because it is the average score (50th percentile) received by other used vehicles of the same year and model. So even if the overall score seems low, if it is above the comparison score, then the vehicle is actually in the upper quartile for cars of that year and type. 

Full History Transcript: The section of the car history report that chronologically lists all (or, hopefully all) events in the vehicle’s history and can be loaded with information.  Here we will sort out the different types of information - some of it is routine and can be mostly ignored, while other events are cause for cautionary concern or even outright alarm.

Routine events in a car’s history typically include:

?      Vehicle manufactured and shipped to dealership: If this event was not recorded in the vehicle’s history, then the vehicle may have been imported from outside the U.S. or may be a rebuilt vehicle.

?      Title transfers: Title transfers record transferences of ownership.

?      Title corrections: Title corrections denote changes to information on the vehicle title.

?      Car financing history: If the vehicle was previously purchased or financed with a loan, lien, or lease, the event will be noted in the car’s history report.

?      Initial registration and registration renewals: Double check that the vehicle’s registration has been renewed annually throughout its history. A missing year of registration may denote that the vehicle was out of operation, perhaps due to an ongoing mechanical problem or unreported accident. If the vehicle is older, confirm that it has recently passed registration - you don’t want any surprises at the DMV when you take your new vehicle in for registration.

?      DMV odometer reading: Double check the requirements of your state to determine when the DMV collects odometer readings.  Odometer readings typically occur during title transfers but are not normally required for vehicles greater than ten years old.

?      Emissions inspections compliance: Where emissions inspections are mandatory, you’ll want to confirm that the vehicle has undergone and passed the emissions inspection as required by law.

Only seeing routine and common events in your vehicle’s history report? That’s great news!  However, if you also see any of the following events, extra caution or consideration is required. Such “cautionary events” typically include:

?      Former fleet or rental vehicle: Was the vehicle formerly part of a fleet of vehicles (perhaps owned by a business) or used as a rental car? This could be a boon, if the vehicle was on a regular maintenance schedule and well-cared for, or a detriment, if the vehicle was abused and poorly maintained.  Be cautious.

?      Previously repossessed: Has the vehicle been “repossessed in the past? If so, it means that the owner could not afford the payments, which may very well mean the vehicle has not been well maintained.

Most importantly, there are some “red flag” events that are crucial to recognize. If you see any of these events, you should probably strongly reconsider your purchase!

?      “Insurance Loss”: This is the official term for “totaled.” The car may have been stolen, and recovered much later, or was in a major accident. If a major accident occurred, the vehicle probably has a “salvage” or “rebuilt” title. Whether stolen (and likely abused) or salvaged and rebuilt, this is a risk you do not want to take!

?      Collision with another vehicle: If the vehicle has been in a collision, even a minor one, it will be included in the car history report.  This could be a red flag, if the collision was significant, or a relatively minor concern.  If you are risk-averse, best to steer clear of vehicles that have been in accidents.

?      Salvaged, rebuilt, or rebuildable: Any of these words are waving a massive red flag in your direction. A salvaged or rebuilt vehicle has been “totaled” and subsequently rebuilt. If the price seems “too good to be true,” this is why.

?      Failed emissions inspection: Did the vehicle recently fail an emissions inspection? If so, it may not be legal for the road, and could require thousands of dollars in additional repairs. If the vehicle failed an emissions inspection long ago, but has since passed follow-up inspections, then you have much less cause for concern.

?      Water damage or storm registration: If the vehicle has incurred water damage, perhaps in connection with a major storm or flood, the insurance company will record an insurance loss in the car history report. Beware of vehicles with water damage - you are sure to encounter electrical problems in the future.

Now you know what to look for in a car history report. At Best Buy Imports, every vehicle on our lot undergoes a complete inspection and comes with a 30-day Powertrain Warranty and a free AutoCheck History Report. Check out our large inventory of quality pre-owned vehicles. We offer Guaranteed Credit Approval and an auto financing process that is simple and straightforward.

We work with local and national lenders to provide you with the best financing options, such as low rates, short terms, and low down payments. So, stop in to one of our convenient Philadelphia locations today and let one of our experienced team members help you get the right vehicle with the best auto loan for your needs.