Get the most for your money
Get the most for your money
3 Tips To Avoid Pitfalls And Get A Great Deal When Buying A Used Car
If you’ve been shopping for a new car, you probably noticed that prices have been surging since the pandemic. While purchasing pre-owned is a great way to offset high prices, used vehicles still cost more than a few years ago, with the average purchase price over $26,000.
Buying a vehicle is one of the biggest investments you will ever make, and it’s more important than ever to get the most out of your money.
FIXD is committed to helping drivers make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible, especially when shopping secondhand. That’s why our team of researchers put together these 3 auto expert-approved tips to help you streamline your shopping experience and find the perfect vehicle.
Keep reading to discover how you can avoid scams and get a great deal on a reliable used car!
1. Do Your Research
Before stepping foot onto a used car lot, do what smart shoppers do: Research the top makes and models first.
Create a short-list of vehicles that fit your lifestyle and budget. Look for vehicles that have high safety ratings and reliability scores. Don’t forget to factor in how much maintenance costs. If you’re looking for a used car that is cheap to buy but known to be expensive to repair and maintain, you may want to consider a newer model, or a different vehicle altogether.
Consumer Reports, Kelly Blue Book, and Edmunds are all great sources of information for this. At FIXD, we’ve scanned millions of vehicles with the FIXD Sensor and app to determine the most reliable, popular, and cheap-to-repair cars in the U.S. We utilize surveys from drivers who currently own these vehicles in our database, check engine light data, recall information, fuel economy, and other factors to create a holistic picture that you can use to make a smart buying decision.
When doing research on what car you want to buy, it’s great to ask for recommendations from your friends and family, or even asking for advice on social media from others. People are happy to share their personal experiences and overall impressions of their vehicles. When paired with the information above, this can help you get a highly rated vehicle you can rely on.
Many FIXD users have reached out to our Mechanic Hotline for car shopping advice. Our mechanics have experience with hundreds of vehicles and will be happy to answer questions about different trim levels, specifications, and mechanical concerns to point you in the right direction when shopping for a new-to-you car.
2. Know The Car's History
Once you’ve done your research and narrowed down the year, make, and model you want to purchase, you should get the full history of any vehicle you’re seriously considering to make sure it hasn’t been involved in any accidents or major repairs.
You can access this information through services like Carfax and AutoCheck, or inside the FIXD app. FIXD’s Vehicle History Report provides detailed information, including previous ownership and title information, accident history, odometer readings, structural damage, and even recall information. Similar reports cost $30 or more each, but unlimited reports are available for free to FIXD Premium members.
If you’re using the FIXD app, you’ll also be able to view the fair market value of the vehicle you’ve entered, so you can make sure the asking price is reasonable.
Pro Tip: If the asking price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers will use low prices to lure buyers and then cheat you out of your money. Be wary of sellers who ask for cash only and call our Mechanic Hotline for a second opinion if you feel pressured to make a quick decision.
3. Check For Hidden Issues
No matter how much research you do, it can’t always save you from mechanical problems that may exist with or without the seller’s knowledge. First and foremost, always test drive any vehicle you want to purchase.
During your test drive, make sure the radio is off so you can listen for strange noises coming from the vehicle that may be a sign of trouble.
Bring along an OBD2 scanner like FIXD so you can scan the car for check engine lights and other issues that aren’t readily apparent. Even if you don’t see a warning light, give the car a scan to make sure the check engine light hasn’t been turned off. This is a sneaky way to hide serious issues that could cost a lot of money to fix down the road.
Lastly, drive the car to an independent garage to have it inspected by a professional. If they find minor issues that aren’t a deal breaker, you can use this as leverage to negotiate a better price.
Don't Get Taken For A Ride.
Take FIXD On Your Next Test Drive!
With FIXD, you can buy your next used car with confidence. Instead of simply taking the seller’s word for it, FIXD lets you hear what the engine has to say. Anyone can use this OBD2 scanner to translate check engine lights into plain English and spot hidden issues before you buy.
- Scan For Check Engine Lights
- Identify Costly Problems Before They Become Yours
- View Vehicle History
- Know Fair Market Value
- Ask A FIXD Mechanic For Used Car Advice
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Ever Felt Like You Were Getting Scammed?
If you’ve never left the dealership or repair shop feeling like you overpaid, count yourself in the lucky few. But with FIXD, you’ll be in the driver’s seat the next time you go car shopping or get repairs.
Designed in Atlanta, Georgia, by 3 Georgia Tech grads, FIXD is revolutionizing the auto industry by putting the transparent, easy-to-understand information you need to make smart car decisions and save $1000s at your fingertips.
You see, our Founder John Gattuso grew up with a single parent and was responsible for taking care of the family’s cars. After his mom got ripped off by a shady mechanic while he was away at college, he and fellow engineering students Frederick Grimm and Julian Knight founded FIXD.
Today, they’re on a mission to help drivers like you across the country save time, stress, and money. They’ve already empowered 3 million drivers and counting with their FIXD Sensor and app.
3 Million Drivers And Counting
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Unlike other OBD2 scan tools, FIXD is wireless, easy to fit in your glovebox, and delivers “plain English” check engine diagnostics to help you diagnose car problems yourself and save $1000s.
The best part?
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Plus, you’ll get a free 14-day trial of FIXD Premium, which you can use to get unlimited Vehicle History Reports and call our Mechanic Hotline for free car shopping advice.
Ready to buy your next used car with confidence and save $1000s? Click below to try FIXD risk-free for only $19.99 for a limited time!
