Tips on Buying Used Cars on Craigslist

Craigslist has only been around for the last few years but it has become the biggest classified ads service in the internet. You may have bought an antique item or a flower vase from Craigslist before, but never a used car. Because of the huge amount of money involved, it pays to be more cautious when dealing with online sellers.

When you have found potential Craigslist cars for sale by owner, the first thing that you must do is research all information about the car. How much is the market price of a particular model? Determining the value of the car will help you decide whether it's worth your money or not. If your money is short by a few hundred dollars, use your negotiating skills to lower the price.

Start from areas within driving distance. Craigslist allows you to narrow down your search by cities. You must test drive the vehicle several times before purchasing it. Making a personal appearance is imperative when looking for a used but functional car.

If the pictures provided are grainy, ask for more. It would be a waste of time to meet up with the owner only to turn down the offer. Ask the owner to lift the hood and take a picture so you can see the engine, battery, and radiator. Ask for a picture of the interior so you can check for seat stains. These pictures will help you make preliminary decisions about purchasing the car.

Ask the seller to provide you with a detailed account of its history. How many miles has it covered? When was it bought? Has the engine overheated or been overhauled? You can tell if the person has taken good care of the car by how well they keep records. When you think your questions have been satisfied, set up a meeting so you can perform the test drive.

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