Land Rover

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Future Proofing

Your Career

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Chevrolet

Mini Cooper

used cars

• Consider vehicles with mileage around 100K or less to avoid potential costly repairs associated with really high mileage vehicles.
• Higher mileage vehicles range between (130,000 - 300,000 miles) this means the vehicle has been driven a lot due to normal wear and tear you will end up replacing more parts down the line this will be costly.
  
• Once you have your eyes set on a vehicle look-up how reliable the vehicle is online.
  
• Advised to avoid purchasing a vehicle with a V8 engine due to poor fuel economy.
  
• Verify your credit score 620 is the minimum required to qualify for a dealerships in-house financing option.
  
• Only use in-house finance if that's your last option this option tends to have high interest rates not advised.
  
• Advised to finance a vehicle using a Credit Union.
• Credit Unions offer you the lower interests rates.
  
• If the dealer doesn't accept credit union financing/purchases consider using another dealership.
  

carfax

• You will need to acquire the Vehicles VIN Number to look-up the vehicles record.
• More info: Vehicles Identifier Number (VIN)
  
• Can’t locate the VIN contact the seller/dealership for the VIN before hand to conduct re-search on the vehicles history.
• Look up the vehicles history on car-fax, avoid vehicles with too many owners.
  
• Recommended to avoid vehicles with accidents on their record, especially accident damages closer to the engine or front end.
• Previously crashed/damaged vehicle you could potentially get the seller to lower the price by showing him the car-fax report as supporting evidence.
• Car-fax reports price range 39$ for a single report to 99$ for 6 reports. I recommend the 99$ option.

dealer

• Advised to bring a friend or family member along when making a car purchase.
• Preferably someone with some vehicle purchasing experience.
• Purchasing a vehicle from an independent dealership or individual, consider reaching out to us on facebook for further assistance.
• Remember you are the buyer you have the right to walk away from any deal at any point.
• Look up the dealership's reviews on Google Maps, Apple Map or yelp!
• Avoid dealers with tons of negative reviews.
• Vehicle insurance will be required before you permitted to drive the vehicle home. more information covered in the insurance section.

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How To Be A

Good Mentor

Acura

Test drive

• Depending on the dealership, some may allow you to test drive alone which is what you really want to properly evaluate the ride.
  
• While other dealers may suggest going on the test drive with you, decline this gesture as this will distract you from properly evaluating the vehicle.
• It's recommended to take the car on the highway during the test drive, as issues are often more noticeable at higher speeds.
  
• Turn on the air-conditioner to the maximum setting to ensure that the air-conditioner is functioning properly.
  
• Ensure functionality of all interior buttons and features, eg: sunroof, windows, and windshield wipers.
  
• Vibrations while driving indicate issues with the suspension, wheel bearings, or tires. It's advise not purchase vehicles with these symptoms.
  
• Interior odors such as exhaust gas, fuel or burning oil, best not to purchase the vehicle.
  
• Squeaking sounds when turning the steering or coming from under the car are signs of potential issues with the steering system components best to avoid purchasing the vehicle.
  
• In some cases on a test drive the check engine light might illuminate indicating a potential problem with the vehicles engine or components drive the vehicle back to the dealership do not purchase the vehicle.

inspection

• Abstain from buying any car with the check engine light on.
• After getting an approval from the dealership you could consider taking the vehicle you want to purchase to a vehicle repair establishment and have them conduct a full inspection the process usually takes 1 hour price ranges from 150$ - 300$.
  
• After test driving, park the car and keep the engine running.
  
• Turn on the headlights to ensure they are functioning.
  
• Any oil drips coming from the car should be considered a deal breaker.
  
• Perform a 360 walk around the car to identify any issues.
  
• Open the hood and check that the engine vibration should be minimal.
  
• Reminder avoid vehicles with V8 engines due to their high fuel consumption (MPG).
  
• Keep in mind that all cars from 2002 onwards contain a computer called an ECU, its responsible for receiving data and adjusting how your engine performs and store any possible fault codes when the engine components have an issue.
  
• (Optional) Consider buying a cheap car scanner online (OBD) to scan the ECU and check for any stored fault codes.
  
• Scanning the vehicle after a test drive is important if fault codes were erased, they may re-appear later.
• Plug in the scanner when the car is parked.
  
• If any error codes appear, it's best not to purchase the vehicle.
  

SAAB

Progressive insurance

• Vehicle insurance is mandatory before driving out of the dealership with your newly purchased vehicle.
  
• If you already have an insured vehicle, you can add your newly purchased vehicle to an existing policy by calling or going on the insurance website.
  
• The process adding a vehicle to an existing policy usually takes 30 minutes and will be effective immediately after completion.
  
• Ensure you have at least $700 to activate your insurance policy if it's your first time insuring a vehicle.
  
• The required payment to activate your insurance policy is typically more expensive than your monthly payments, which will range between $150 to $300 per month.
  
• Consider adding vehicle rental coverage to your policy.
  
• Purchasing a vehicle from a private seller, you have a grace period of 7 to 30 days to add insurance to your vehicle, depending on your state's laws.
  
• To get a quote and purchase an insurance policy for the specific vehicle you have chosen, you can contact Progressive Insurance or visit their website.
  
• Lower rates, it is recommended to get a quote online.
  

legal

• Note that the information provided below only applies when purchasing a vehicle from a private seller/individual.
  
• Remember you the buyer you can walk away at any point.
• Be cautious of sellers who offer to sell you a car with just a bill of sale and promise to send you the title by mail. This is often a scam, so do not accept it.
  
• Ensure the title is authentic and that the person selling you the car has their name on the title.
  
• Verify that the VIN number on the title matches the car's VIN number.
  
• It's advised to complete transfer of ownership paperwork at the DMV. If there are any issues, they will point them out to you.
  
• The DMV confirms the title is authentic/original, you can pay the seller.
  
• If there are two or more owners on the title, all owners need to be present to sign the title over and show their driver's licenses.
  
• All sales are final remember, that is why it’s important to get all the details and paperwork sorted to avoid being in a complicated situation.

closing

• Dealers often add a lot of mark-up to the price, it’s crucial to take your time to review the final price and the breakdown of costs. Don't rush through it.
  
• The final price seems way off, consider canceling the purchase and finding another dealership or seller.
  
• Credit score 661 or above, consider using a credit union to finance the car instead of utilizing in-house financing offered by the dealer, which usually have higher interest rates.
  
• Make sure you know the average price of the car you're buying, and try to stay within your budget.
  
• Be prepared to walk away at any point if the dealer is not willing to lower the price or work in your favor.
  

maintain

• Advised to change the oil, oil filter, air filter, coolant, and spark plugs as soon as possible after purchase. Afterwards follow manufactures specification.
  
• Optional after a year of ownership, you may consider changing the injectors, fuel pump, and fuel filter
  
• Visit any Batteries Plus Bulb locations for a free battery and alternator test usually takes 10 minutes.
  
• If the battery needs to be replaced, consider getting an AGM Battery (Duracell) or a Lithium Battery.
  
• Adding fuel injector cleaner once a month or on every fill-up can help keep your injectors clean result in better engine performance.
  
• Check the air filter every 6 months replace if needed.
  
• Have a professional inspect the transmission fluid. It is recommended to change your fluid every 30,000 - 60,000 miles.
  
• Inspect the differential oil and replace it if dirty. Afterwards change every 30,000 - 60,000 miles.
  

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My name is Cedric L Over the years, I have honed my skills in evaluating the condition, value, and potential of used cars. I have developed a keen eye for identifying hidden issues, understanding market trends, and negotiating fair prices. My goal is to empower individuals who are interested in buying used cars by providing them with the knowledge and guidance they need to make the best choices when purchasing a used car.

My ultimate aim is to ensure that you feel confident and well-equipped when entering the used car market. By sharing my knowledge and experience, I hope to save you both time and money, while also helping you find a reliable and suitable vehicle that meets your needs.

Stay tuned for regular updates, informative articles, and practical guides that will enhance your understanding of the used car buying process. Together, let's embark on this exciting journey towards finding the perfect used car!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or specific topics you would like me to cover. Need in-person assistance we are available in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond. On Saturdays only please join our facebook group and I look forward to working with you all.

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