When some people imagine shopping for pre owned vehicles, they may imagine drab, outdated, or ugly clunkers parked in the far end of a seedy car dealership complete with a pushy salesman. However, this stereotypical imagery is far from the truth and paints an inaccurate picture of what purchasing a used car is like today.

Sure, not all pre owned vehicles — and car salesmen — are created equal and there may be a few lemons, however, there are a number of modern, high quality, and manufacturer-certified used cars available. So why buy a used car? The answer is simple; you get more bang for your buck.

Today’s used cars are far from being clunkers. They’re high-quality, low mileage and are often covered under warranties that cover repairs for a designated period of time or up to a certain mileage. People often wonder what to look for when purchasing a used car. While purchasing a used vehicle is a great idea, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Used car financing

Cash may be king but a poor credit score can dethrone you fairly quickly and make it difficult to qualify for a loan. A low credit rating can also drive up interest rates, causing your used car purchase to go beyond your budget. If you know you’ll soon be in the market for a used vehicle, try improving your credit rating. Or, you may be able to ask a creditworthy cosigner to help you secure a loan.

Budget

This coincides with used car financing options. It’s important to create a realistic and comfortable budget in order to ensure you can make your payments on time. Consider things such as whether repairs are covered under a warranty and the reliability of the vehicle. If a price seems too good to be true, it’s worth running a Carfax report and doing some further investigation.

Quality No one wants a lemon. Therefore, it’s important to look for models of used vehicles that are known for their reliability and low cost of ownership. Some makes and models are far more reliable than others. It’s also important to consider the purpose of the vehicle and how much you’ll be driving it. For example, do you drive a lot of highway miles? Are you using this vehicle for towing or plowing? This will help you determine the quality of vehicle that best suite your needs. See more.