Monday, April 18, 2011

Things to Do After Buying a Used Car

Things to Do After Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car can be quite a chore. Most people will take a number of different steps to make sure the car is going to be reliable before they make the purchase. Many people often fail to take the next step, however, and do the other things that are necessary after buying the car.

Mechanical Checks

    Ideally, you should have the car inspected by a mechanic you trust before you ever make a purchase on a used car. However, if you happened to make an impulse buy, take your car to a mechanic and have it looked at immediately. Many major brake and tire chains will do free inspections for you and usually have some kind of code of ethics that they follow, so you will not have to worry about them trying to unnecessarily sell you something you do not need. Tires and brakes are the most important to check. After that you may wish to take the car somewhere else for a more thorough inspection to look at the engine and the electrical systems.

Getting a Warranty

    If you bought a car from a private seller and the vehicle does not have a transferable warranty or the original transferable warranty has expired, you may wish to look into getting a warranty that covers major repairs like transmissions. A transmission repair can cost upwards of $2,000 or more, depending upon the type of vehicle. A vehicle warranty may cost you a monthly premium and you may have to pay a small deductible in the event of a repair. Pay special attention to the details of any warranty you purchase. Review all details regarding what the warranty covers, what your deductible and premium will be and when it will expire.

Cleaning

    Cleaning your car immediately after you bought it can be another important step in preserving the longevity of your vehicle. Even if you bought your car from a dealership that details your car before you leave the lot, it can be advantageous to run your car through an automatic car wash that provides undercarriage cleaning. You should also plan on cleaning under the hood in order to ensure that you have not missed any damage or wear and tear in the engine area. If your car was not detailed by the dealership, wash it and wax it to assure the longevity of your car's exterior.

0 comments:

Post a Comment