Buying a used car can be a stressful experience. Figuring out what kind of car you need, trying to ignore the car you want but know you can't afford, and searching through endless for-sale ads can take up a lot of time. Buying from a private seller can sometimes save you money, but can also increase your stress level as you wonder about the identity of the person you are dealing with.
Knowledge Is Power
Never look at a car that is being sold by a private party without knowing what you are looking at beforehand. The Internet is overflowing with automotive information, and can supply you with the specs for the car you are considering. Before going to look at the 2003 Toyota Echo that your neighbor is selling, find out everything you can about the company, the model and the year. Every car gains a reputation over time as many different drivers use it. What you learn may make you want to grab it quickly, or may make you want to cancel the viewing. If you have the VIN (vehicle identification number), you can even research the exact car that's being sold by going to carfax.com. It will cost you a fee to get the information, but it's money well spent to avoid buying a lemon.
Hidden Problems
The biggest problem with buying a used car from a private party as opposed to a new one from a dealer is that you won't be in possession of a warranty if something should go wrong. Honest car owners will tell you about any problems the car has, but not all car owners are honest, and not all problems are even known to the owner. You can't get around this problem completely, but you can increase your odds of success by taking the car to a competent mechanic and paying him to give it a good going-over. A mechanic can test the compression of the engine, look at the level of wear on brakes, U-joints and transmission, and examine the chassis and frame to determine if the car has ever been in an accident.
Testing It Out
Never buy a car without taking it for a test drive. Don't be shy about making it a very extensive test drive. Given that you will probably be handing over thousands of dollars, you have the right to know what you're buying. Ideally, you could borrow the car and use it for a weekend, although many sellers will not be too keen on this idea. Drive the car on the highway and in the city, test it in parking situations, rapid turns and high speeds. Do everything you can think of to tease out any problems that it might have before you buy it.
Haggling
If you do all your research and you decide that you want to buy the car, you then are confronted with the question of price. In most situations, the seller wants more and you want to pay less. The challenge is to reach a middle ground that is acceptable to both of you. When haggling, keep in mind the fact that there are hundreds of millions of cars in the world. Unless you are a rare car collector, there is nothing special about this one. If the seller won't come down to a price you feel is fair, walk away and find another car.
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