What Used Car Is Right For Me?

Wondering how to best research and purchase a used car? You have come to the right place. Wrench is here to help you determine which used car is right for you and how to expertly navigate the purchase process. The most important thing to remember is that this is your decision and should reflect your wants and needs. Do you research, follow these tips, and do not anyone else influence your decision, because buying a car is a big decision. Take the time you need and do not be afraid to walk away from a deal. Wrench has many resources when it comes to used car purchasing and maintenance, so make sure to check out our other blog posts for more information.

Before you start doing research on finding cars for sale, reflect on what car is best for you. Take into consideration your family size, where and how much you will be driving, what kind of room you want to have, etc. One strategy is to make a list of must-have features that are non-negotiable, because this will help you narrow down your options when you get to the buying stage. If you find a couple models that you really like, you can move forward and do more research on these options.

Here are a few things to consider when putting together your “ideal” used car:

• Reliability. Some makes and models have better reputations than others when it comes to reliability, safety, etc. If you are looking for a car to take camping, for example, you might be considering different factors than if you are solely going to be driving the car in the city.
• Mileage. Take into consideration both the total miles already on the car as well as the mileage per hour. If the car is going to be mostly driven in the city, you may want to invest in a car with higher MPG to save money on gas and reduce your carbon footprint.
• Size. Determine what size vehicle you are looking for to narrow down the search and make it easier to reach a decision.
• Exterior. When buying a used car, there may be imperfections on the exterior, such as small scratches or dents. If you are okay with blemishes like this, you might end up saving a lot of money, but if you are not it is important to do a thorough inspection when choosing a vehicle.

Once you have an idea of what kind of car you are looking for, follow these Wrench tips to ensure that you end up with a car you are happy with.

• Find out the market value of the car. This will serve as a starting point for negotiating the price of the car. It is also helpful to know the value of the car because it shows that you have done your research.
• Inspect the car yourself. You should familiarize yourself with the car in order to make an informed decision about how you feel. Make sure the car is clean and that you feel comfortable driving it. Additionally, be sure to check for scratches, stains, dents, and any unusual odors. This will help you rule out certain vehicles and make the decision process easier. You should only book an appointment for a used car inspection when you are confident that you have found the car for you, because you will be paying for the inspection and do not want to waste your money.
• Get the car inspected prior to purchase. If you are serious about a car, it is extremely important to get it inspected by a mobile technician. This will help ensure that you are getting what you paid for and are not buying a car that has any significant issues. Wrench has now partnered with the premier Pre Purchase Inspection company: Lemon Squad to inspect a used car before you buy.
• Take the car for a test drive. Not only should you feel comfortable driving the car, you should also check its features such as the sound system, air conditioning, and brakes, to name a few. Be thorough with your test drive and act as though it were your own car to gauge how you feel.
• Evaluate the relationship between age and mileage. Most cars are driven around 10,000-15,000 miles per year, so do a quick calculation using the age of the car and how many miles it has been driven to determine how much the car has been used. This is a good indicator of the wear and tear of the vehicle and how many years you will be able to get out of it. If a car is six years old but already has 100,000 miles on it, you might be looking at a shorter lifespan in the future.
• Make sure the car has a clean title. Check the vehicle history to find out whether the car has been in any serious accidents because this will help determine if you are getting a good deal or whether you even want to be driving the car in the first place.

Introducing Lemon Squad

Are you looking to have a professional inspect your potential used car purchase? Wrench has partnered with the premier Pre Purchase Inspection company: Lemon Squad. At Wrench, we are committed to improving our services to give our customers the best experience possible. That's why we acquired a company of used car inspection professionals. With our technicians at Lemon Squad, you will be able to request someone to come take a look at any used car you are interested in. Our Lemon Squad technician will prepare a detailed report of all the issues they find with the used vehicle, so you can find the right fit for you! To learn more about Lemon Squad and our used car inspection services, click here.

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a used car, but this is a big decision and should not be handled lightly. Wrench is here to help you in any way possible in order to make this decision as stress-free as possible. Be sure to take your time with the process and drive away with a car that you will be happy driving for the next several years. If you have further questions about our services or using Wrench during a global pandemic, feel free to talk to our customer service team through email, hello@wrench.com, or by phone, 844-997-3624.