What should you not do when buying a used car?

Buying used cars is an exhilarating experience. You’re making a massive purchase with your life savings, and you don’t want anything to go wrong or for the new car to disappoint you. Evansville Ford, our Madison Ford dealer, urges used car buyers to research their new car before the purchase. The best way to learn about a used car for sale is to take it for a test drive.
Here are some things not to do when buying a used car.

1. Failing to Line up Financing Before Shopping

Our Madison used car dealer offers a few suggestions on how to buy a used car and not overspend. When you are ready to purchase, you should go over financing before looking at any cars. Dealers typically offer financing options that can be cheaper than a bank or credit union and simpler than trying to obtain one yourself.

2. Shopping Based on Monthly Payments Alone

If you are shopping online, you will likely see many ads on various used cars. That’s when it helps to do your research on used car values in Madison. It’s easy to overpay for an expensive used car for sale if you don’t know what other options are available.

Our used car dealer in Madison knows that it is possible to get a great deal on a car by shopping around, but we also know that monthly payments can be misleading. However, some used cars for sale will often push consumers towards changing their monthly income to reflect the actual cost of the car.

3. Not Having the Car Checked by a Mechanic Before You Buy

If you are buying a used car and the dealer doesn’t have it checked by a mechanic, you should walk away. This is especially important if the car has recently been in an accident or repairs. Private sellers will often say that the car doesn’t need to be lightly repaired to sell it and may not disclose any accidents or damage when they don’t have an inspection done. Avoid this issue by only working with reputable Madison used car dealers like Evansville Ford. Our used trucks for sale in Madison are a great deal, as they have been carefully inspected by certified mechanics.

4. Making Initial Negotiations in Person

Many used car dealers in Madison have the opportunity to make a great deal and get the best price on a car. But most dealers only want to work face-to-face, which can be difficult for people far away or with less-than-perfect internet connections. Many dealers also want to assess your personality and how easy it is to talk with you, so they may not agree to a price on the phone. Our Madison used car dealer prides itself on transparent negotiations.

When shopping for a used SUV for sale near you, you need to be careful about making the initial in-person negotiations. Make sure to get everything written down, detailing the offer and the terms of the sale.

Our experienced used car dealership in Madison, WI can help you with your car-buying needs. We can help you find a great deal on your next used car, so stop by our showroom today!