This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
If you live in the United States, aside from dense metropolitan areas, you know we live in a car-centric society. If you have places to go, which most of us do, you will need a car. However, if you’re a Zillennial, making large investments can be a bit precarious as most of us don’t have a ton of cash lying around. Plus, many of us have delayed driving altogether. The best solution for young adults who need a vehicle is to purchase a used car. Realistically, that does come with inherent risks. Not all used cars are created equally, and it’s vital to ensure you’re making a well-informed purchase. Let’s break down some important tips for buying a used car to mitigate the risks associated with it.
Do Your Research
The most important tip for buying a used car is to research. It’s impossible to make a competent decision without processing the data. You’ll need to determine your budget and which specific style of vehicle you require. From there you’ll research currently available vehicles that match your search criteria. Only when you’ve answered all these questions, and you’ve narrowed down a few specific listings, should you bother to leave your house.
Private Sellers vs Dealerships
When you buy a new car it’s straightforward. You decide what car you want and go to a dealer that sells it. However, when you buy used cars, you also have the option of buying from a private seller. If you know what you’re doing, this may be a good option. That said, private sellers do carry more risk. Especially if you’re buying from a stranger. It’s possible to purchase at a reduced rate using this method, but you must ensure that you can extract as much information as possible from the seller. Dealerships will generally be able to provide more extensive information and have a vested interest in maintaining their reputation. Regardless of whom you purchase a vehicle from, the following steps will apply the same way. The only difference is that when buying from a private seller, doing your due diligence is increasingly important.
Determine Your Budget
The first step is determining your budget. Luckily, there are used cars for nearly all budgets. Even if you can afford an expensive car, buying one used can still be worthwhile. If you have a higher budget, you should heavily consider a certified pre-owned (CPO) option. Nearly all major manufacturers offer CPO vehicles. These cars are only a few years old and have lower mileage which can make them a great investment as most of the initial depreciation has already occurred. Furthermore, vehicles offered through these programs undergo extensive inspections to determine the car’s reliability. As a consumer, this gives you a less risky investment. Another major benefit is that since the car’s reliability is more accurately determined, dealerships often provide extended warranties, which bolsters the appeal of these vehicles. The downside is as a less risky investment, they’re going to cost more.
If you have a more modest budget, not all hope is lost. Even though CPOs are the best way to protect yourself, there are other ways to ensure you’re making an informed decision. Researching various makes and models as well as individual service records can increase your odds of buying the right car.
Mileage and Pric
The heaviest influence on price is determined by the specific vehicle but mileage and age also impact the cost. To put it simply, the newer the car and the fewer miles on the odometer, the higher the price. Conversely, the older it is and the more miles it has the less it will cost. You want to get the newest, lowest mileage car you can afford. This is an excellent way to ensure comprehensive reliability.
If you need to save some money but still want to make a smart purchase, vehicles from around 50K to 100K miles can be suitable purchases. Since these cars have been on the road for a while, there’s often literature available on their reliability. You’ll be able to research common problems other owners have had or if there are any recalls.
Choosing the Right Make and Model
Once you know what you can afford, you can choose the perfect car for you. There are seemingly endless options, but it’s important to narrow down a few selections to make the rest of the process easier. Many buyers also look for opportunities to upgrade certain features, like installing BMW F10 headlights, to improve both safety and aesthetics. Upgrades like this can add modern touches to older models and enhance your overall driving experience.
Body Style
The major categories of vehicles are broken down into sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, crossovers, SUVs, trucks, and vans. Today, SUVs dominate the automotive industry. However, most people who have SUVs don’t need them. If you have several children, or a big dog, and need a car with off-road capabilities then this may be the right vehicle. Otherwise, I would suggest other options.
Sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, or even crossovers are likely your best choice. Sedans are all most people need, but if you want increased trunk space then a hatchback or wagon is more suitable. Personally, I think hatchbacks are the ideal option for young people. They’re light, sporty, and fun to drive. Plus, many of them have generous trunk space so if you are taking a road trip, you’ll be good to go. If you are concerned about off-road capabilities or if you experience inclement weather often, you’ll want to select something with 4WD or AWD. For drivers who frequently explore off-road terrain or want more utility for rural environments, it’s worth checking out recreational vehicle manufacturers offering utility-style models that go beyond traditional car classifications.
Manufacturing Regions
The two best automotive manufacturing regions for used cars are Europe and Asia. Sorry, but American cars don’t often score high on reliability, and their cost, even when used, doesn’t justify their value. Because of that, I would suggest restricting your search to Asian or European vehicles.
Asia
Japanese manufacturers such as Honda and Toyota, as well as their luxury counterparts Acura and Lexus, make the most reliable cars money can buy. A worthy honorable mention is Mazda. This is crucial when buying a used car because other than CPO vehicles, you likely won’t be offered a warranty. The best way to protect your investment is to minimize costs down the road. Japanese vehicles have low maintenance costs and will likely experience fewer mechanical issues. The disadvantage is that since they are more reliable, they hold their value. That is good for whenever you want to sell it, less good for when you’re buying it. Despite costing more initially, having a more reliable car will pay off over time.
Europe
The other option I would recommend is German and Scandinavian vehicles. They are less reliable, but often that’s more model and year-dependent. With proper research, you can identify reasonable European vehicles that can take you well over 200K miles. Plus, they tend to depreciate a lot. This can be an easy way to get a more bougie car for a lot less than its initial MSRP. The drawback is they are riskier. Repairs will always cost more and there will likely be more of them. If you’re comfortable with something older, Volvos are an ideal option. I’ll be forthright and admit that I am a major Volvo fan and that is usually all I consider buying. Pre-2016 Volvos are tanks and if they’ve had proper maintenance, they can be considered immortal.
Searching for the Right Car
Now that you’ve narrowed down which car suits your lifestyle, it’s time to look at listings. Before you go to a dealership, start your search online. This is an easy way to gauge the market value of vehicles, and if they match your budget. You can investigate the car’s history. Since used cars have been driven by someone else, it’s vital to determine how the car has been maintained.
Service History and Carfax
Luckily, there is a user-friendly way to examine service histories. A vehicle’s Carfax is akin to a person’s health records. This demonstrates how well the vehicle has been maintained, and any glaring issues. When buying a used car, you want to prioritize single-owner vehicles, with no accident history, and a clean title.
Single-owner vehicles are your best option. If five people have had a car, and they all sold it, especially after a short period, it does beg the question of whether there is an issue associated with it. Furthermore, avoid accident histories, salvaged titles, or fleet vehicles. Even if a car was fixed, they pose an increased risk if the repairs weren’t done properly. Furthermore, if a title has been salvaged that means the car was deemed a total loss and required extensive repairs. Fleet vehicles are company cars or rentals and often they’ve taken their fair share of abuse. Ultimately, there is no rationale for exposing yourself to the heightened risk of these vehicles.
Reviewing service records is vital. The most important aspect of vehicle maintenance is oil changes. When you look at the Carfax, ensure the car has been serviced at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals. If oil changes are skipped, it can reduce powertrain reliability. When opting for a higher mileage vehicle, consider long-term maintenance requirements. As cars approach 100K miles you need to know if the transmission fluid has been maintained, if spark plugs have been replaced, as well as other components like timing belts. Most manufacturers publish vehicle manuals online that list the proper service intervals for all expected maintenance. You’ll need to reference that and make sure it aligns with the Carfax.
Go For a Test Drive
Exterior Visual Inspection
Now that you have extracted all available information from the internet, it’s time to go for a test drive. However, driving the car isn’t the only way to make a well-informed decision. Your eyes will be your biggest asset. Look at the body of the car and search for any dents and imperfections. If the Carfax didn’t show an accident, that just means none were reported. You also want to look out for rust. This should never be present on a relatively new vehicle, but many older cars have some rust. Just make sure it isn’t excessive, especially around the frame. You also want to look at the tires. Ensure they are the correct size for the vehicle, that they’re the same brand, and that they’re wearing evenly. If any of those things aren’t the case, ask the dealer about getting new tires or look someplace else.
You’ll also want to check the car’s fluids. Pop the hood and look at the oil. If it is clean and has the right volume, then you’re good to go. If not, I would be concerned. This is also a good time to make sure the coolant level is correct. While the hood is still open, even if you don’t have extensive mechanical knowledge, look around and see if anything is excessively rusted or broken. Look at any belts and determine if they’re cracked or dry-rotted. Then move to the bottom of the car. Look for any leaks or moisture build-up. This could indicate fluid leaks. You will also be able to view suspensions and brake components and check for excessive wear.
Interior Visual Inspection
Once you have inspected the exterior, it’s time to sit in the driver’s seat. But before you head down the road, there are a few more steps. Don’t turn the car on just yet. Instead, turn the key into accessory mode and ensure that all lights are operational on the dashboard. If some lights aren’t working, it indicates the seller has something to hide and I would recommend running for the hills. When you do turn the car on, make sure all the buttons and accessories work. Check all the windows, the AC, and heat, and test the radio.
Head Out on the Open Road
When you finally are out on the road, you want to make sure all components are operating correctly. The easiest part is verifying that the odometer, speedometer, and tachometer are functional. I know it’s more fun to turn the music up, roll the windows down, and imagine how much fun you’ll have in your new car, but that’s going to have to wait. Turn the music off and reduce internal noise. As you accelerate make sure the engine is running smoothly, and you don’t hear any misfires or other undesirable engine noises. Ensure the transmission is shifting properly through each gear. If you feel any vibrations that is a red flag. Also, listen for unpleasant noises coming from the wheels such as a bad wheel bearing or excessive tire noise. As you brake, it should be smooth without any noise or vibrations. When you go over bumps watch out for excessive bouncing which indicates bad shock absorbers. Any noisy suspension components are also a bad sign.
Should You Purchase This Car?
When all annoying reliability checks are out of the way, it’s time to enjoy the car. Regardless of whether you’re an automotive enthusiast, you need to enjoy what you’re driving. Even if it is a means to an end, you’ll probably spend a good amount of time in your car so it’s best to ensure your comfort. Make sure the handling suits your driving style and that all the tech options you need are present. Also, check that there is enough storage. There’s no point in spending money if you don’t like the car once you’re driving it. It seems simple, but being happy with a big purchase is one of the best tips for buying a used car.
EVs
You may have noticed at this point that I haven’t mentioned electric vehicles once. That was intentional. I completely understand the desire to make an environmentally friendly choice. However, when buying used, EVs aren’t the best option. There are simply too few used EVs to establish reliable data. It’s much harder to determine their reliability and appropriate market value. Unfortunately, EVs add risk which is why I would advise avoiding them in the used car market.
Don’t Be Intimidated
Buying a car can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you utilize these tips for buying a used car, you’ll be prepared to make a smart decision. Just remember to do your research, and if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Let us know in the comments if you have any useful tips for buying a used car.
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