How to Buy a Used CarHow to Buy a Used Car

Tim Ellis, Ph.D., P.E.,Associate ProfessorTim Ellis, Ph.D., P.E.,Associate Professor

Civil, Construction and Environmental EngineeringCivil, Construction and Environmental Engineering

1940 Plymouth1940 Plymouth

1940 Plymouth1940 Plymouth

78 Olds Cutlass Supreme78 Olds Cutlass Supreme

Steps to buying a carSteps to buying a car

Do you need a car?Do you need a car?Consider the costConsider the cost

Purchase pricePurchase priceInsuranceInsuranceGasGasMaintenanceMaintenanceRepairsRepairsParking stickerParking stickerParking ticketsParking tickets

Walking is good exercise!Walking is good exercise!

New or Used?New or Used?

Advantage of buying a Advantage of buying a used carused carLess expensive purchase Less expensive purchase

price (new car loses 40% of price (new car loses 40% of its value in first year)its value in first year)

Less expensive to insure Less expensive to insure Option to cover vehicle with Option to cover vehicle with

liability insurance only as liability insurance only as opposed to comprehensive + opposed to comprehensive + liabilityliability

New or Used?New or Used?

Disadvantage of buying a used carDisadvantage of buying a used carMay not have all of the safety features of a May not have all of the safety features of a

new carnew carMaintenance costs will be higher than for a Maintenance costs will be higher than for a

new carnew carWill not have a warranty (or limited warranty)Will not have a warranty (or limited warranty)Buyer bewareBuyer beware

Where to buyWhere to buy

DealerDealerWill have a larger supplyWill have a larger supplyMay have warrantyMay have warrantyMay pay higher price (dealer has to make a May pay higher price (dealer has to make a

profit)profit)Won’t get a complete history of car from Won’t get a complete history of car from

dealerdealer

Where to buyWhere to buy

Private individualPrivate individualWill be able to ask owner about vehicleWill be able to ask owner about vehicleMay bargain price moreMay bargain price moreLess hassle than buying from a dealerLess hassle than buying from a dealer

Questions to askQuestions to ask

Has this car been in an accident or flood?Has this car been in an accident or flood?How many miles?How many miles?Are you the original owner? If not who did Are you the original owner? If not who did

you buy it from?you buy it from?Why are you selling it?Why are you selling it?What doesn’t work or needs repair? What doesn’t work or needs repair? Does the air conditioning work?Does the air conditioning work?Has the timing belt been replaced?Has the timing belt been replaced?

What to look forWhat to look for

Check body for rust, dents, indication that its Check body for rust, dents, indication that its been in an accidentbeen in an accident

Listen for engine knocking or pingingListen for engine knocking or pinging Take it for a test drive on highwayTake it for a test drive on highway Listen for road noisesListen for road noises Any wobbles or vibrations?Any wobbles or vibrations? Does it handle well?Does it handle well? Does transmission slip?Does transmission slip? Are there oil spots where the car was parked?Are there oil spots where the car was parked?

What to payWhat to pay

Determine the vehicle’s “Blue Book” valueDetermine the vehicle’s “Blue Book” value

How to finish the dealHow to finish the deal

Before you “shake hands” on a dealBefore you “shake hands” on a deal May want to have a third party inspect the vehicleMay want to have a third party inspect the vehicle Once you have decided to buy it and settled on a Once you have decided to buy it and settled on a

reasonable price, be sure that the vehicle has a valid reasonable price, be sure that the vehicle has a valid and clear title (no liens)and clear title (no liens)

After settling on the vehicle need to get After settling on the vehicle need to get insurance before you can drive it (get the VIN insurance before you can drive it (get the VIN from the title)from the title)

Will need to go to the courthouse to get the Will need to go to the courthouse to get the vehicle registered and get platesvehicle registered and get plates

How to maintain How to maintain

Check the oil every time you fill up with gasCheck the oil every time you fill up with gas Check tire pressure once a monthCheck tire pressure once a month Check antifreeze before winter sets inCheck antifreeze before winter sets in Check belts regularlyCheck belts regularly Check brakes regularlyCheck brakes regularly Check transmission fluid regularlyCheck transmission fluid regularly Be consistent with type of gasoline (with ethanol Be consistent with type of gasoline (with ethanol

or without ethanol)or without ethanol)