6 Things to Remember When Negotiating for a Car
Tip 4: Check the History and Condition of the Car
Negotiation aside, it is absolutely critical to get a vehicle history report and to check the vehicle’s condition before buying any used car. Don’t make a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars and spoil all the fun of your new car. Check the history and condition of the car! No exceptions!
Be aware - many dealerships will offer to “save you money” by having their service department do a full inspection of the vehicle for free. Many of these are legitimate and will do just as good of a job as independent garages. Unfortunately some won’t, and you won’t know the difference until after the fact. So unless the car is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, I highly recommend getting an independent inspection. It’s worth it.
The great thing is that not only can inspecting the vehicle and checking on its history save you from making a huge mistake, they can also save you some money by helping you negotiate a better deal. No used car is perfect. Maybe this one is from out of state, or the brake pads are nearly worn out, or there are other minor mechanical issues. While these likely won’t change your mind about purchasing the car, they can affect its value, and the seller should recognize that.
Most articles I have read suggest doing something like this - negotiate the best possible price for the car first, then do the inspection and insist that any issues be resolved or the price be lowered accordingly. This method can work, and it may be the best way to squeeze out every cent. However, the problem with the negotiate-first technique is that you’re laying your cards on the table. Say you negotiate to buy a car for $12,500, subject to a clean inspection. The inspection comes back showing the car needs about $600 in minor repairs and maintenance, which you ask the seller to cover. Well, the seller now knows you have $12,500 to spend, and that you’re willing to buy the car for that much. You will probably have to really stick to your guns and wait them out to try for that extra $600.
To avoid this, my preference is to get the history report and do the inspection before making any concrete offer on a used car. That way you can either make your offer conditional on maintenance being done, or take those costs into account when you determine how high you’re willing to go.
You can also check out our full list of car buying guides and tools.