When buyers set out to buy a new or used car, most approach it with the caution needed for such a large and important purchase.  We do our research, select the car that best suits our needs and then hammer out the best deal we can.

But too often buyers abandon caution once they have signed the contract.  It’s important to think of the delivery day as the final phase of the purchase process.  The deal isn’t complete until you’re completely satisfied with the car as it’s presented to you.  There is plenty that can go wrong before the car is handed over, and there is plenty of room for negotiation, so it’s important to maintain your vigilance to the very end.

Here are some tips to make sure your new or used car purchase goes smoothly:

Get it in writing

Before you sign the contract read it carefully and make sure it includes everything the sales person said that they would throw in as a sweetener to close the deal.  Sales people offer extras such as floor mats, headlamp covers, alloy wheels, extended warranties and so forth to seal the deal, so make sure they are written into the contract before you sign it.  That way you have a comeback if you find they’re not fitted when you pick up your car.

Book in

Don’t rush down to the car yard as soon as the salesman phones you to tell you that your car is ready.  Make an appointment so that you know you will have their full attention.  Avoid the times of the day when you think they may be busy or distracted.  Definitely don’t go at the end of the working day because they’ll try to rush you  and push you out the door.

Go for a spin

As much as you want to drive your new car, resist the temptation until you’ve thoroughly inspected it both inside and out.  Look for minor dings and scratches that weren’t there before and any sign of repairs and touch-ups, such as color mis-matches and overspray.

On the inside look for tears in the trim and greasy stains on the seats or carpets. 

Upon first start-up take note of any squeaks, rattles, vibrations or any unusual mechanical noises that may need to be fixed.

Get expert help

If you’re not confident you can identify any problems, take along an expert.  A trusted mechanic could help you out, or get an independent auto body representative to check the car out for you.  This should give you the confidence that you’re not going to end up with a lemon.  At the very least take along a friend or family member who is not as emotionally involved in the purchase as you are.

When was it built

Make sure the build date on the identification plate corresponds to the date on the car’s papers.  Ensure that the date is what the sales person quoted to you.  Otherwise if it is an older vehicle than you were led to believe then you may get less at resale.

The Manager

Once you’ve taken delivery of your car you will be dealing with the service manager, not the sales person.  So make sure you meet them at the time of pick-up/delivery to discuss servicing requirements.  Check on the timing of the first service and on any special procedures you may have to follow.  It is always best to establish some sort of relationship with the service manager because that is the person you’ll be dealing with if something goes wrong – or even if it doesn’t.

Warranty

Always review the warranty cover for your new purchase.  Thoroughly familiarize yourself with it.  Make a note of anything you feel isn’t right with the car when you first notice it.  Then don’t leave it until the warranty is about to expire before you bring the problems to the attention of the sales person or service manager.  Contact them straight away to try to have the problems rectified immediately.

Also, when the warranty is coming to an end consider getting an independent expert evaluation so any potential problems can be documented before the warranty runs out.

The overriding message for delivery day is simple: use caution and take your time when you go to collect your new car.  That way you’ll minimize your chances of being stuck with a lemon as well as being able to relax and enjoy your new toy.

Many dealers use ignorance as a tool and work their magic on the gullible customers. This way, they sell cars for higher value and the customer is completely unaware of what has happened. When you have decided that a new car is what you want, get down to doing some home work, and finding out information that could come in handy during purchase.

Scan through the daily papers to understand the variety of cars that are up for sale, and the prices being quoted by them. Also keep in mind that the new cars are bound to expensive when compared to used cars. Do some studying on the internet, and you can even check out the website of the car company itself. They will give you information related to when the car was launched in the market, the price quoted and of course the various dealers who are selling the brand.

And remember that every time you make a visit to a dealer, if they run your credit, your rating might come down. So keep on window shopping, till you finally come to a conclusion on where to buy and then let them do a check on your credit scores. The next step to do is to go for a test drive, and try out the car. Only if you are comfortable driving it, and handling the same, also happy with the features that come with it, should you make the purchase.  When you visit a lot, you might find some other new cars that you had not noticed, which might be better suited for you. So, make sure to spend time looking around and gathering information about all the models available.

You can then do some more research or calculations using the kbb.com or Edmund’s guide, to figure out the exact market price of the car you have zeroed in on. This way, you will know if the dealer is quoting the right price or trying to get you to pay more.
Do a thorough check of the car, interiors and exteriors, to check if all the parts and accessories are of good quality and the engine is in good running condition.  You can now go ahead, finalise on the terms for payment and close the sale.

First thing to remember is that you are buying a car from a dealer, who does not do any favours. For him, it’s a sale, and he is going to try quoting a high price, and convince you to buy it. So, before walking into any dealer’s store, make sure to have adequate information about how much you can pay, and what your budget is. This will save you time and money.

Learn about financing options and where you can get good rates for car loans. This way, you will have the papers ready when you find the car of your choice. In case you are unable to find someone, get the dealer to recommend people, but be clear on what you want, for they might try to sell you something else.

Remember that the internet is your best friend, and you need to rely on the various websites to provide information across platforms. You can do research on car sales, prices, conditions, about vehicle history and even fid out about insurance policies that you will need once you complete the purchase. Surf and spend time assimilating the information on the net, do your own research from papers and books as well.

You are the person who has to take the decision regarding the purchase, and the one in control. Don’t let the dealer lure you into believing what he is offering is all there is. Be well informed and prepared about all that can go wrong.

One big deciding factor is that, don’t shop on impulse, always look around and spend time in making a decision. Since it involves a large investment, you need to take your time to make sure you are doing the right thing. Do walk around to other lots, and have discussions with other dealers. This will give you an insight into who is offering the best price on the car you desire. Also, if the dealer who has met you learns about your visits to other car sales stores, he might be willing to reduce the price just to convince you to buy from him.

Spend time reading the contract, and the hidden messages you find in them. Sometimes the rate of interest or penalty fee for not meeting payments might be more than what has been stated. So be aware and cautious.

Some car shopping tips that will help save money are

1. Purpose
What is the main purpose behind buying a car? Is it going to be routine use or for long drives? This will determine what kind of cars you need to look at or explore options at. Some people go for looks, while others are bothered only about the functionality, this will get reflected in the car they finally pick out. Therefore it’s better to have a clear idea as to what one desires. This goes as far as knowing the model of the car, preferred colour and what are the accessories you wish for the car to have. Know the prices being asked for the car of this kind, and use that negotiate getting a good deal.

2. Information is key
Make sure to be well equipped with information pertaining to the various dealers around your locality and the price being quoted for the car you have your eye on.  You could get on the internet, do research, find out different quotes and do a comparative study. This will come in handy in picking out the dealer who offers the best price.

3.  Time
Spend a bit of time in car shopping, and don’t jump into signing the cheque at the first dealer you visit. You are sure to get different quotations from others, so window shopping is always the right way to go. If you find another dealer offering the same car at a lesser price, you can either pick it up from him or come back to the earlier dealer and demand a discounted deal.

One can also save time by doing all the research they need on the internet and by talking to various car salesmen. This will give them all the information they need, which means they know where they are headed, and will close the sale.

4. Insurance and Warranty
Does the car come with warranty, and what is the duration of the same? If you wish to purchase extended warranty, do they get those papers ready or do you have to approach someone else. Also, check the insurance cover that they can offer, and the price of the same.

And finally, make sure they have the required documents like registration and ownership deeds, printed and ready for you to sign. This will help save additional cost, and let you know how professional the dealer is, which gives you confidence on the purchase you have made.

When we look at the various advantages, the first thing that comes to our mind is the main concept behind an RV.  All the RV’s found in the market come with just about everything we can dream off, from sitting area, cooking space and even a comfortable bedroom. Some of the bigger ones even have extra storage space for your bikes, and other gear. So, you have somewhere to store your food supplies, bags, play games in, lounge and even sleep in. The downside to this is that you are on a holiday and yet feel like you are back home, doing all the chores, cooking, cleaning and so on. So, for those who wish to get away from it all, it dampens their spirit in this aspect.

The other feature which is an advantage is that the RV opens new doors you dint know existed. Being able to travel with the entire family, and even take your pet dog or cat along, without going through any hassles at the ticket counter is something everyone needs to experience. These RV’s are easy to handle and can be driven by anyone who is comfortable driving a car or an SUV. However, some RV’s need a truck to haul it around, and so if you don’t own one, you will have to go looking for someone with one who can lend it to you.

And ofcourse the fact that when you are on the road, if there is a breakdown or some repair, the RV companies provide service within minutes. Also, there are many camping grounds where one can park the RV and explore the area around and have a good time. But RVs have become very popular, you find them crawling all over the place and the cost factor is to be considered, they don’t really come cheap. Just like every other aspect, this too has its share of ups and downs, its upto the person to decide what they want and go for it.

Today, with advancement in technology, there is so much information available on the internet. So, if the buyer were to spend some time doing research on the net, they will understand the range of cars and the prices quoted by most companies. The internet has wide coverage of data which pertains to various aspects involved in a car purchase.  You can identify the car of your dream, and note down the price offered for across various websites and use it as a reference while going car shopping.

On some sites, there will be an option whereby you can request for a quote on a car. For this purpose, they might ask for personal details, but do not hesitate to provide these, they will not be misused.

You could get in touch with representatives from various car companies who will be interested in showing you the car, or talking about the sale. Do not cave in and fall for their antics in the first visit itself, always better to have multiple options on hand before signing out the documents. These are ways to assess who is offering the best price, and to do a bit of window shopping before making the final decision.

If you are one of those who have a car that you wish to trade in, have a mechanic come and inspect your car thoroughly. This will let you know what price to ask for, and the condition of your car as well. If needed, you could do the necessary repairs and have the car in good condition for people to come take a look at it. Also look at what kind of a trade in you are going in for. Is it going to be to a company or an individual, there is a vast difference in the price you can ask for and the terms that can be defined on the contract?

Once you have identified the car, and the price has been negotiated, figure out how the payment needs to be made. Some dealers add on a percentage as tax when payments are made using the credit card, and if its cash, this is not included. Make a deal with the dealer on this as well.

All through the process, the one thing every buyer should keep in mind is the money factor. How much are they willing to spend on car purchase? Or how much are they ready to negotiate while selling their car?  Keeping these aspects in mind, one can go about getting the best deal while buying a new car.

Edmund is one such website which acts as a resource guide for people who ware seeking some assistance in saving money while purchasing a car. The website is very helpful for those looking to purchase a new car or a used car. It has information related to every aspect of the purchase process an some more. Not only does it give inside tips on how to choose the best car, but also on where you can get the best rates. There is even a blog that people who are looking at buying cars can go through which gives inputs on personal experiences and what kind of offers are available, and where.

The Edmund’s guide is a concise manual that every car buyer needs to go through before taking the decision. If they have decided on which car to buy, they can request for a quote on the price across the various dealers. This information will reveal the ones who are giving it a les price and those that work out expensive.  From the website, the user can choose the model of car he desires, say, for example a convertible or maybe a SUV. Then, they can choose the kind of information they wish to have from the drop down menu. As they go through the process, they learn more about the car, its value, and the cars up for sale.

Edmund’s guide can assess and tell you the exact market value of the car which helps you when talking to dealers. If they were to quote a higher price, you would not get swayed and remain grounded, negotiating on the price till you come to a consensus. Use the guide as a modem of knowing more than you will, if you were to just go from one dealer to the other.

Learn about doing negotiations on the phone and over mails, and also make it a point to visit the dealers bright and early in morning when they are just opening shop. And if you are going for a trade in, have the car assessed and valued earlier, so that when you drive into the dealer, you are all set to quote the price and stick with it.  Through these, you will end up saving a lot of money this way, when you ultimately buy the car of your choice.

Some of the tricks for getting a good deal and high rate of discount on your insurance policy are,

For people with a driver’s license, make sure to have a clean slate. This will come in handy when the insurance company does a background check on your driving skills and whether you have been caught in any wrongful act or accident. If you have had no tickets issued, or been in any accident in the past 2-3 years, then you are eligible for discounts.

Sometimes companies also grant discounts to people who have taken the drug and alcohol awareness courses. It is infact a must in some countries, and so if a person has attended one, they are liable to get good discounts. It is a way of encouraging them since they know the value of driving safe.

While shopping online for auto insurance, do a comparative study of various companies and the rate of discount offered by them. Based on this, you can approach the dealer who gives best deals, thereby making you eligible for some good discounts on the insurance rates and premium.

When filling out forms related to insurance policy, give accurate data about your family background, and other information asked for.  The amount of trips you take on your car, miles covered in the past year, and even any defaulting that might have happened on the payments, if any. Giving such information will qualify you for a discount, just for the fact that you’ve been absolutely honest.

Your credit report speaks volumes about your background, so make sure to have a clean credit standing. If you are a regular user of credit cards, and have been making payments regularly, on time, it reflects on your personality and automatically increases your chance of getting a discount. This will also help you get some extra financial aid in case you need assistance with that. Also make sure to have no outstanding payments, not just on the car, but on other assets as well.

There are some insurance companies that offer different rates of discount to male drivers and female. Do a bit of study on this and act accordingly so you stand to gain at the end of the day.

As you can see, there are various means and ways by which one can work with the system and gain a discount.
 

When they do find a car that satisfies their needs, and fits their requirements, they will go ahead with the purchase. However, there are certain issues to be sorted out before closing the deal, which will help them determine how good the vehicle is, in terms of its running condition and quality of parts. It is not enough if the car looks good on the outside and belongs to an impressive brand; it needs to be functional as well as value for money.

The most important information that one needs to gather is about the vehicle history. When planning on purchasing a used car, one needs to be aware of what they are buying to save themselves from any unforeseen incidents later on. Since most of the used cars sold at lots are either from police confiscation, or abandonment, or maybe repossession by finance companies, they would have had a previous owner. So, it is essential to understand where the car comes from before you take it home.

You can check with the dealer if he has the vehicle history report. Some of the information to look for in it is,

Vehicle identification number – The mention of the VIN needs to be there on the history report. This is a unique number, which can be found on a metal plate near the windshield of every car. It is issued to the car by the manufacturer right after it has been manufactured and ready to be despatched for sale. If the car has been in any accident or crime, it will be reflected on the history report thanks to this VIN.

Location – the car dealer might tell you that the car you are looking at was owned by a person from Texas, but if you look at the report, it might speak differently. This will tell you the kind of terrain the vehicle was used in, and the condition of the tyres. So, be sure to ask for a report before taking any decisions.

CARFAX report – the buyer can demand for a CARFAX report, which is a detailed report containing information regarding the date of manufacture to the number of miles run on the car.

Condition of the vehicle – the vehicle history will have to provide information related to how long the car was used, what kind of driving was done, and if there were any major repairs done on it. This is to tell the new buyer how good the condition of the car is.

1. Engine condition
o Does the engine work well?
o Are you able to start the car with the turn of the ignition key or does it take time to rev up?
o Is there adequate engine oil?
o How is the condition of the radiator? Is there enough water to keep it cool and going?

 2. Check the body of the car
  Do a thorough inspection of the body of the car, both inside and outside.  This will tell you 
  the quality of pain job, and if there is rust or peeling anywhere.
   
     3. Tyres and extra fittings
o When driving the car, do the tyres work smoothly; around sharp turns and on any kind of surface. This will tell you if the car is ready for the road, or if you need to spend on fixing the tyres.
o Also check the extra fittings that come with the car, like the alarm system and music system. Do they work alright or need a bit of tweaking. No point in having an alarm      system that fails with tampering.
o Another aspect to check is if there are air bags in the driver’s steering wheel. This is       essential since it will save your life if you get into a collision or are in an accident.

4. Ownership Documents
Does the dealer create forms that transfer the ownership to your name? or do you have to do the registration and transfer deed on your own?
If you need to do this on your own, it will cost you, so make sure to get it done by the dealer and all these details sorted out ahead of signing the deed.

5. Pending Payments on the vehicle
Has the previous owner cleared any payments that are due on the vehicle? This is an important question to ask the dealer because otherwise it might fall on your head to meet those payments.  If there are dues, then reconsider the purchase or get a sign off from the previous owner or dealer that they will make the necessary payments on their own.

6. Warranty
What is the duration of warranty that comes with the car and is the relevant documents attached with the sale deed? This is essential to protect your interest in the future, in case of any repairs or unpleasant surprises.

Here are some of the different types of auto insurance that the buyer needs to be aware of before making a purchase,

Full Auto Insurance- A policy that is known to be the best for you and your car ios known to be among the most expensive, but it does cover all issues like instances of theft, unexpected accidents and so on. a person wit this policy sure gains to get the repair expenses footed by the insurance company and this holds good for cases where he might have been responsible for the repair. So, if you wish to have an insurance policy that backs you all the way, this is what you need to go for. most insurance companies will not cover 100% of the cost of the vehicle, but will go upto only a certain extent, but with this policy you cover all the expenses.

Third party insurance – This policy is ideal for people who even after paying all dues on their vehicle still remain very attached to it. Also just like the previous kind of insurance policy, all accidents and thefts are covered in this too, with a bit of a difference. In this policy, only if you are at fault, will you get coverage, for other situations you need to foot the cost of repairs and service.  So, while on the road,  if some other car comes crashing into you, or if you crash the car into your gate or somewhere else, the insurance company will not cover the expenses incurred in bringing your car back to its original condition.

There is one more kind of insurance policy, which is Third party, where in the insurance company covers cases where the owner, the person who has taken the insurance policy was at fault, and has led to an accident or damaged another vehicle. These are undertaken by people who own less expensive cars, or are into used cars.

Specialised insurance – Just as the name states, this kind of insurance policy is for cars that are considered vintage, which are over 20 years and have specific needs and parts are not easily available.

These are some of the kinds of insurance policies available to car owners, and what they choose depends entirely on them and the budget they have in mind. At the end of the insurance is taken to cover all extra unexpected expenses that might arise in the due course of owning the car, and driving it around.

1. Go in for car purchase during holiday seasons. This is when most people are focused on buying gifts, which hardly anybody goes towards car shopping. And during Christmas and new years, you will find a lot of dealers giving interesting offers on cars. They might give you free CD player, alarm system or scratch protection painting. Ask around on what is available where and then go in for the purchase

2. Another option is to visit car dealers during August or September. This is when new cars are introduced in the market, and so dealers will be busy trying to sell the existing older models. So, you might get a better deal and a discount on the prices.

3. If you have not had good experiences with car dealers, you can look on the internet for some good deals. Online car shopping and ofcourse auto auctions are fast catching on around the world. You never know, you just might find the best deals there on the net.  This will also save you time and money spent looking around at various lots, and haggling with the dealer for a good price.

4. You can also check out with various dealers on what the rates are and then go pick it out from the one quoting the lowest price, or whom you are most comfortable with.

5. Keep yourself updated on the various scams that happen when dealing with auctions and car dealers. This way, you will be one step ahead if a dealer tries to con you into spending more than you intended on a run down car.

6.  If a dealer promises to pay off any outstanding you have on the car you want to trade in, be wary. Most of the time they will not do it and you might end up paying for a new car and continuing to pay for a car you don’t own.

7. When you pick out a car from a catalogue and if the dealer tells you that they can get it for you within a month, and asks for a deposit, do not make the payment. You are likely to be told later on there is a delay, and they might try selling another car to you.

8. Make an inspection of the car with your mechanic before paying the price. This will save you a lot of money, since the mechanic will give you an estimate on how much the car is really worth.

9. The most important of all is to do as much research as possible on the internet, and have a discussion with your finance person.

For most people auto auctions become an option they consider when they are thinking about buying a second car for their home. In order to help them make better decisions related to the auto auctions, here are some tips they need to know before hand.

1. What does “Auction” mean?
It is important to understand the meaning of an auction. People have misconceptions that auctions are where they get new products at cheaper price. This is not true; auctions are only venues where used or old products are being sold, because they are not saleable otherwise. For example, in auto auctions, we find cars that have been confiscated, repossessed and those which are government surpluses.

There will be a minimum price quoted for the cars, and working with that, people who are attending will make a bid. And the person who has made the highest bid will win the sale, and have to pay the price to take the car home. The auction comes to a close when the auctioneer says “Going, Going, Gone’ and brings down the hammer.

2. Where is the Auto auctions held?
There are select places where these auto auctions are usually held. If they are local auto auctions, most likely in venues which are near the impound or where there is plenty of space. There will be news items and advertisements regarding these in the local newspaper and on the bulletin boards. For other kinds of auctions, information will be posted on the newsletter or again the newspaper. For online auto auctions, one has to sign up with a site and thereon, they will be send regular information on what’s happening and when the next auction is going to be held, so you can plan accordingly.

3. How to bid?
 Right after the auction commences, the product or automobile will be brought up, and the bidding will soon follow. Make note of the minimum price being quoted, as this is what will be used to bid. If you are visiting for the first time, watch how the others bid, the kind of prices being quoted, and how it works its way upwards. Next time, you wish to purchase a car, keep a budget in mind, and bid within that. Don’t get carried away, as you will end up not being to afford what you just bought.

There is a lot of fun in buying cars from the auto auctions, but there are certain pointers to keep in mind before bidding on an auction vehicle. These will keep you safe and avoid any unpleasant surprises from popping up later on.

1. Choices
Are you given a list of cars up for auction or is there no information related to this. Knowing the cars that are going to be available will give you the heads up on whether there are any that you like or you will only be wasting your time around here. If the auctioneer or others in charge do not give a list of what’s in store, be wary and aware of how they go about it.

2. Inspection
Does the auction company allow the bidders to inspect the vehicle before commencement of the auto auctions? Are the vehicles kept in a place where it is open to public view. If you are able to visit the venue, see the cars and inspect them in and out, it is a reliable auction site. But if otherwise, you might want to rethink the visit.

3. Quality
When the auction company hands out fliers about the auto auction to be held, does it contain information about the vehicles and their condition. Many a times when it is a seized car auctions, the condition of the vehicle could range from good to bad, and so it is essential to know about the car or bike that you are bidding for.  It should also list down the history of the vehicle, how old it is, miles that have been run on it, the condition of the engine and so on.

4. Price
Many a times at auto auctions, what you bid will not be the exact price you will have to pay. Some auction companies charge an indemnity fee or a buyer’s premium as it is called. So check before hand on their payment terms, and mode of payment as well. Preferably don’t make purchases at the very first auction you go to or at the first car you see. There are bound to be other better ones, so take time in making the right choice.

5. Actual Bidding
When you have found the car of your dreams and are ready to take the car home, keep in mind “never to quote more than you planned on spending on a car”. This is because, at times people get carried away, and don’t realise what they are doing till they have gone too far ahead.

With respect to auto auctions, there are different types available. Some of them are 
as follows,

Public auto auctions:
When there are auto auctions happening in your locality by the governing board or auctioneers, it is called as public auto auctions. You could get information about these from your local coffee shops or the daily paper. There are bound to be cars, both new and used ones up for sale in these. But the number of cars might be less since it involves a certain demographic location only. The vehicles up for sale could be those impounded by the traffic police or those that were found abandoned. In big cities, these auctions are held once in twice weeks or at times depending on number of cars up for grabs.

Government auto Auctions:
Another kind of car auction that is very popular is the Government Auto auctions, which is held by Government run organisations, or the US Customs department. The General Administration service also participates in this auction, for they get the opportunity to sell their used automobiles, trucks, bikes, cars, SUV’s all of which are in good condition. The vehicles auctioned are mostly Government surplus vehicles, when they buy new ones, auctions are held to dispose the older ones. These auctions are where car enthusiasts to pick up vehicles at runaway prices.

Online Auto Auctions:
A method of auto auction that is gaining popularity is where cars are auctioned on the web world. There are many sites that deal with cars, used and new, which put out the cars up for sale, and invite bids from interested parties. People can search the net, find these sites, register with them and go about finding their dream car. This works best for people who travel a lot, or don’t have time to personally go visit the dealer, or auction venues, to inspect the vehicle. They rely on the information provided on the net, make their bid and wait to see who gets the vehicle. Online auto auctions are where people can purchase cars from cities other than theirs, and get a wider choice of purchase.

No matter what mode of purchase you decide on, remember that auctions are the best bet, allowing you to inspect the vehicle you finish the whole process in less than a couple of hours and get to drive home your new car.

Test drive the car you are bidding for: One great disadvantage of both online and offline car auctions is that you do not get the opportunity to test drive the car that you are bidding for. While you can at least physically inspect a car at a regular auction, you cannot do the same for an online one. The next best thing that you can do is go to a used car dealership and test drive the same make and model that you are bidding for online. If you can’t find it at a used car dealer’s test drive a new one and try to judge what problems might crop up with the car a few years hence.

Get the car inspected by a third party: Bidding online is always fraught with risks. There is no guarantee that the vehicle you are bidding for actually exists in real life. On the other hand, if it does, then you are obligated to buy it if you win the bid. Since you might not be able to physically inspect a car that you find online yourself due to distance or other factors, you can try to hire a mechanic who will give you an unbiased report about the condition of your car. Ask your seller to get this service performed for you by any national car repair chain to ensure reliability and trust. However, it is advised that you only bid for vehicles that you can go and check out for yourself before buying.

Get a VIN# history first: The vehicle identification number is a crucial tool that will help you in getting a vehicle’s history through a number of online services providing the same. Ask the seller to give you the vehicle identification number of the car that is being auctioned off and run a VIN history check before bidding. You will get to know details about the title, actual mileage, accident history and any other damage that the vehicle has undergone.

Base your bid on actual market price: There are a number of resources, both online and offline that will provide you with the actual market value of a used vehicle. Some online websites will give you the market value of a used vehicle based on make, model and years of use for free. Avail these services and use the guide price as a base for calculating the value of your bid. Subtract money for extra mileage, accident history and another ten per cent for buying online if you are doing so without seeing the vehicle first. Also deduct the price of shipping if any from your bid if the seller is not paying for it. And pay for an online auction car only through escrow, where the money is transferred to the seller only after you have received the goods and are satisfied with it.

Go To The Preview: The preview is the event where car auction agencies let potential buyers examine the vehicles on sale. While almost no auction house allows test drives, you get to examine a vehicle physically and start it. Do not let this opportunity to check a car go by because buying a used car without checking it out physically is akin to foolishness.

Take A Mechanic Along: Most of us really do not know how to judge how long our car’s parts are going to last just by looking at them. We also do not know the difference between real and fake spares and can never tell if a car has undergone body work once it has been properly painted and covered up. But a mechanic can easily tell you all this and more about the true condition of an auction car, so it is an extremely wise idea to spend some money on taking a mechanic along with you to an auction preview and get the real picture of an auction car. You might end up getting surprised by the amount of information that might be hidden from you.

Get a Vehicle History Check: While a mechanic can actually give you an idea about the physical condition of a vehicle, he or she cannot tell you whether a car is stolen, has had its odometer tampered or carries a disputed title. But a car history check can tell you all this and much more. There are a number of online services that will give you pertinent details about a car’s history including odometer reading, accident history and title problems for a small sum of money. It is advised that you sign up with one of these services before you start prospecting for a used car and check the VIN# history of every vehicle that you consider for purchase. You might find this history throwing up facts that will directly influence your decision to buy or not to buy.

Check For Current Prices: Knowing about the current market value of the used car that you are planning to bid on in an auction will give you a logical base for determining your maximum bidding amount. Paying much more than what a used car is worth at an auction is the same as landing with a lemon, so make sure that you carry a used car price guide like the Kelley Blue Book, the Edmund’s Guide or the NADA Guide. These books mention the value of used cars based on make, model and years of use. Using the guide price as a base, you can add or subtract from its value depending upon odometer mileage, physical condition, accident history, accessories and repair that you will need to undertake when you buy the car.

Accident History/Wreckage: A large number of cars being sold in public auctions turn out to be vehicles that have been picked up from junk yards after having been totally written off , repaired and given a new title. On the other hand, a large number of owners try to sell off accident damaged cars before the accident is documented in the car’s history in order to get a good resale value. An extremely common giveaway of accident history or wreckage is new paint, splashes of paint near windows and doors or a more than usual thickness of paint. Damaged tire rims or tires with uneven wear may also be a result of an auto accident. On top of this, more than usual denting and scratching is a sign of a badly maintained and run car, one that has been used by a reckless driver. In case a car has been picked up from a junkyard and then salvaged, then chances are that the VIN numbers on different parts may not match. This is also common in stolen vehicles.
 
Flood and Fire Damage: With the constant number of floods and fires that have been raging the country of late, the market is full of cars that have been destroyed badly by floods and fire but salvaged for sale and given a new title. One thing that should really make you suspicious is new soft furnishings in a car. After all, have you ever seen anybody changing the original seat cover or carpet in car for no reason at all—except maybe when it has been destroyed beyond repair? Another sign of checking for this is by looking under the carpet for signs of rusting or gutting. An all-over new paint job is another thing that should make you think twice.

Poor Vehicle Condition: A vehicle that has not been maintained properly can run a deep hole through your pocket with regular repair and maintenance bills. So make sure that you check everything ranging from the power train to the brakes for proper functioning. Power windows, sun roofs, ACs and brakes that do not function properly can end up costing a lot of money, so don’t forget to check all this before you plan to bid on any vehicle.

Consider your budget first: All of us dream of driving around in jazzy sports cars and luxurious sedans while sitting behind our parents in the humble family utility vehicle or hatchback. However, these dreams generally do not come true with your first car, especially not if you are at university and do not even have a fixed source of income. So hate it as you might, you should consider your budget first and then decide about the kind of car you plan to buy. Do not buy a car where you cannot put down at least 20% as down payment, since this is a vehicle that is definitely out of your league. Remember that there are insurance bills, taxes and other expenses apart from the cost of the car that are involved in buying a car.

Buy a new or a used car: Buying a used car is a good option for someone who is buying their first car provided you do your research well. There are a large number of good used cars that are put up for sale everyday, and with a little patience and research, you can easily find one that fits both your budget and your style. Consult websites and reference publications like the Kelley Blue Book or the Edmunds Guide to find out the market value of used cars so that you do not get cheated by a dealer or a private owner. Try to avoid dealers and buy from either private owners or at auctions. Before you buy a used car, get the car checked by a mechanic and its papers and title checked by someone who knows everything about car titles in order to ensure a great buy. New cars are always better than old ones, provided you can afford one easily and are not too worried about depreciation.

Know the cost of keeping the vehicle: The cost of keeping a car or truck is much more than the cost of owning a vehicle. Remember that apart from yearly insurance, you will have to pay for gas, servicing, repairs and spares. Even the best vehicles need repairs at one time or the other, and knowing the cost of certain spare parts can actually put you off buying certain makes or models. While insurance varies from model to model, it also varies greatly from company to company. So shop around till you manage to get the most cost effective quote for insuring your vehicle. You may also need to invest in an extended auto warranty, especially if you are a buying a car with costly repair and spare parts. Since gas is going to be a weekly expense, go for a car that gives you good mileage and calculate the total cost of running and maintaining a vehicle before buying it.