Buying a car is exciting, but it’s a big responsibility that could have a lot of setbacks. Whether it’s your first car or your next big investment, you should always do your research. You may have looked up some different features and user reviews on your new car, but there’s a few more things you might want to clear.
Use a VIN Lookup and find the vehicle history report
There’s lots of free VIN lookup services out there. Using one can tell your vehicle’s entire history from the moment it was first driven out the factory to when you saw it. Over 70 percent of cars bought and sold in America are actually used. Although your dad may have told you that you’ll save more money with a used car, you may find your vehicle has a dark past.
Used vehicles are totally safe if they’ve been taken care of. When you look up your vehicle’s VIN, you’ll find a full report of the car’s accidents, servicing, and so much more.
See if it’s a commonly stolen vehicle
Commonly stolen cars pay more in insurance, and can pose a potential threat to your safety. Thieves target cars with a high resale value and low security. For instance, the most commonly stolen car isn’t a luxury vehicle, it’s actually the 2000 Honda Civic.
If you do find that your car is commonly stolen, install additional security features. Thieves also target cars with a push-button start ignition, as drivers often forget their keys inside their cars! Although it’s a handy feature, consider grabbing a keychain alert system.
See if the vehicle has recalls, or a commonly serviced issue
Most vehicle owners will receive a message from the car company if there is an issue. However, you should learn if the recall was fixed, and how major the issue was. For example, a number of Chrysler vehicles have a major defect that wasn’t handled properly until recently.
You may also want to research reviews on the car for common service issues. You should also ask your mechanic if they see a lot of other drivers with your car.
Get a mechanic to check it out
Investing $100 in a mechanic before you even buy your car might seem a little ridiculous. However, it could save you thousands of dollars in repairs if the vehicle hasn’t been serviced in a while.
A mechanic will also let you know if something wasn’t repaired properly, or will need to be fixed soon. Cars need regular maintenance, so there might be at least one or two issues. Seeing how much money you’ll need to invest into your car right off the bat is a big money-saver.
You should also ask your mechanic how expensive it’ll be to maintain your vehicle. For instance, Volkswagens are known for having some pretty pricey parts, and are one of the most expensive cars to maintain.
Check your driving record
You might be willing to pay whatever price you can to maintain your vehicle, but you still need to get insurance. Even if you’ve never made an insurance claim, your driving history will still affect your insurance. Things like traffic violations, parking tickets, and speeding tickets will determine your insurance premium.
If you have a vehicle that’s expensive to insure, then adding a poor driving history to your bill will only cause you more financial stress.
Get an insurance quote for the vehicle type
The type of vehicle you get will also determine how much you pay in insurance. Luxury cars, electric cars, and cars that are often stolen will have higher premiums. Getting a quote on your car before you buy will let you know how much the car will cost you in the long run. You may only have to pay for the car itself once, but you’ll always have to pay for your insurance.
Don’t be afraid to compare insurance quotes. Get the best possible price for the coverage you and your vehicle needs.
Find out what coverage you need as a driver
Simply Googling the average quote for your vehicle won’t give you an accurate estimate. As a driver, you’ll have other needs and state requirements that affect your estimate. For example, you may have a teenage driver who’ll be using your vehicle, which will drastically change your quote.
Working directly with an insurance provider to determine your needs as a driver can save you big on auto insurance. They can tell you different offers as well as ways to get discounts on your car insurance.