Buying a new car can be a little tricky. There’s a lot of different advice and opinions from people who often don’t know what they’re talking about, making the truth hard to learn. Some adages about buying a car have been used so frequently that they nearly have a mystical influence over buyers. Some vehicle purchase myths are supported by factual data, while others are based on data that may or may not be true in all circumstances. In this blog post, we bust some of the most common used car buying myths and why you shouldn’t follow them.
1) Used cars are all junk
It’s actually not true. Some car buyers have the perception that used vehicles are less reliable and less safe than new ones, but there’s no evidence for this belief. The truth is that most used cars are in great shape and can be found at a much lower cost. There are many inexpensive, well-maintained used cars available. You may easily find them. Cars that are only a few years old and have only a few thousand kilometres on them are frequently seen.
2) Used cars are unsafe
Sure, there are some true lemons out there. But that’s not true for all of them. In addition to researching recalls and pulling a vehicle history report, you can typically have an expert mechanic offer their own report on the health of the car before you purchase.
3) Used cars have poor resale value
Used cars will not retain their value like a new car. That’s true, but you could easily sell your used car for more than you paid for it if you take good care of it and keep the price fair. People with old clunkers are not going to get much money if they try to sell them. Sales are all about supply and demand, so understanding the value of your used car can be a sharp tool for getting more out of your car.
4) You can only get a good deal online
Buying a car online has its advantages, but you won’t find the best price by only looking online. You can get a good deal by visiting dealer lots and asking for prices on vehicles you’re interested in. You can also look for used cars online to help you find one that works best for your budget and your needs.
5) You should buy an extended warranty for used cars
An extended warranty, also known as a vehicle service contract, is one way to safeguard your used car from potentially expensive repairs. People usually think this is necessary, and rightly so, because as cars get older, certain parts degrade and stop functioning. However, an extended warranty for used cars is only really necessary when the car is really old and you know that you’ll be spending a significant amount of money on repairs.
Buying a used car is a good option if you want to save money, especially if you are on a budget. There’s no shame in buying a previously owned vehicle because most of them are going to last for many years to come. The best thing that you can do before buying one is to learn as much as possible about it and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your purchase, and don’t believe these common used car buying myths and misconceptions!
