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Buying A Used Car Checklist

  • Inspections

    • Yours. Trust your instincts, if you have bought cars before, and give it a good look over, inside out, and under the car as well.

    • Theirs. When did the seller have an inspection done on the car, and ask for proof of a certified mechanic having done it.

    • Mechanics. Take the potential car to a trusted mechanic you use regularly, and have them inspect it for you; they will give you the low down as to whether or not the car is worth it or not.

    • State. If your state requires inspections, ask to see the last inspections that this car has passed, and when.

    • City/Municipality. Some cities/municipalities require their own inspections as well, so check into this.

  • Actual Buying

    • Dealerships. While these have a great variety of cars to pick from and their own service departments, their downfall can sometimes be pushy salespeople.

    • Price. Keep in mind that what you start out at is not always what you end up with for a price.

    • Private sellers. While private sellers probably won't be as pushy as a dealership, they don't generally have a lot of cars to pick from, their own service departments, or a reputation for you to consider.

    • Problems. Any mechanical problems found should be either dealt with before the sale is completed, or allowances made for in the sale.

    • Salesmen. Many salesmen/saleswomen get too pushy, and shove the buying process along too fast; if you run into one of these, back off and go somewhere else.

    • Shopping. Look for a car at your leisure, and comfort; you should not feel as if you're having the cars all shoved down your throat.

  • Paperwork

    • City/Municipality. Depending on the area in which you live, there may be extra paperwork for the city/municipality.

    • State. Every state will have their own paperwork for you to fill out.

    • License plates. Yes, more paperwork is required for these, unless you really don't want to drive that new car around.

    • Inspection. Showing proof of inspection(s) will be required by many areas, and it could be more than one inspection that is needed, so be prepared.

  • Getting Approved

    • Bankers. Get to know your bankers ahead of time, it will help you get approved.

    • Banking. Have some money in the bank, and have a decent credit history.

    • Pre-approval. This requires contacting a bank, or several, if you require financing, to get a general idea of how much you can spend.

    • Credit History. You will have to have a decent credit history, and the lender will check it, as will the seller, if it's a dealership.

  • Getting Title

    • Dealer. Processes vary state by state, but dealers will generally give you good directions.

    • Personal sellers. These sometimes don't know what they're talking about, so make sure you do before you go.

    • Banks. If you had a loan taken out, banks/lenders possess the actual title until you have paid them everything you owe them.

    • Paid in Full. Once the amount is paid in full, you will be sent paperwork, usually by the lender, to fill out to start the process to get a clean title.

  • Registration Transferred

    • Dealership. Normally, dealerships will take care of this for you, by having you fill out a couple extra pieces of paper, and submitting it to the proper bureaus.

    • Private sellers. This is something that you will have to come prepared for, so go to your local Motor Vehicle branch ahead of time, and ask what to do.

    • Completion. Registration will completely transfer upon proof of sale, which is going to be at the very least a receipt showing proof of purchase, and Vehicle Identification Number.

    • After Transfer. After the transfer is completed, you will be issued a new registration for your vehicle, and please be sure to keep it in your glove box in the unfortunate event you're pulled over by the police.

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