Whenever you’re planning to make a large purchase like a used car, it’s best to determine what your budget is before even beginning to look at options. Look into securing financing first, and remember that along with the purchase price, there’s also insurance, maintenance, and registration fees to factor in. Getting a pre-approved loan from your bank or credit union is a good way to see what sort of budget you have, which then lets you whittle down your choices. It can also help with negotiating to have a hard line already in place due to how much your pre-approved loan is for.

Research the vehicles that are within your budget and fit all of your needs and wants before going in to see it. Look at its history, like through its CARFAX report, and using the VIN and the information provided by the dealership to make certain any necessary maintenance needs are something that fits in your budget.

While the vehicle you’re interested in might look perfectly fine and have a clean history report, getting a trained technician to check it out beforehand is always a good idea. The cost to have the Pre-Purchase Inspection is worth it when compared to what could be multiple necessary repairs down the road.

Once you have your choices narrowed down to a few options, be sure to take a test drive. This should be a comprehensive test drive that includes driving in both city streets and on highways if possible. While driving, turn off the radio to listen for any strange noises that might indicate the vehicle needs maintenance work, such as rattling, tapping, or squealing. Test all of the features including lights, turn signals, and the A/C and heater as well to make sure they all work properly.

Negotiate based on both market value pricing and inspection findings. If the pre-purchase inspection unearthed any issues, make sure that’s reflected in the price, or that the repair issues will be taken into account on said price.