Used Car Buying Checklist

Create an emergency kit. Flares, flashlights and a first-aid kit are some of the things you can fit in your used Porsche emergency kit. Your used Audi might be made of excellent Audi parts, but that doesn't mean your car is invincible to road conditions. You should always be prepared and ready for a possible roadside breakdown.

It is suggested that you do some research before you have an emergency if you will be looking for parts. Research some sites and find a few that are appealing. Then try looking for sample parts that you might need in the near future or pretend to need them and see if you can find them. This will give you an idea of what you can find on the site.



When people think of auto flea markets they tend to think that they are worn out and worthless but that is not always the case. Many times the used tires are new in fact. Sometimes people buy new cars but they do not like their standard tires. They decide to take off the standard tires that they have on their new cars and buy new low profile or another type of tire.

Buy from the right auto parts store. If you aren't in the know it's quite difficult to spot a good store from a bad one. A good auto parts store will clearly display their contact details as well as displaying details about their stock. They should display which models they supply stock for and everything should be priced. The typical worker should know the stock inside and out and should know exactly what you need.

When looking to buy a used car, you need to make sure that the car parts and auto parts are in good condition. You may want to test drive the car first, if that is possible. Also, you should find out as much as you can about the history of the vehicle. When was it made? Who was the driver and did they keep the car in good condition? How many miles does it have on it? How much money does it take to fill up a tank of gas in the car? When was the last oil check? You want to find these things out so you know what you are driving around. You don't want to be left with any surprises.

Used car parts usually cost much less than new ones. For example, the top frame of a late model convertible may cost over $2,000 if you buy the part new. But, that same part can be purchased used for as little as $700. One of the reasons for the difference in price is that new parts often need to be assembled. used auto parts are already assembled and simply need to be installed on - or in - your vehicle.

Make an appointment -- If a salvage yard makes an acceptable offer for your vehicle, then make an appointment to drop it off. If it isn't drivable, the yard may send out a tow truck to take it away. A car that has to be towed will be worth less as it will cost the salvage yard more money to obtain your vehicle. If your car is not drivable, but can be pulled to a salvage yard, then consider doing the job yourself.

Your local online classifieds: Try searching through a site like Craigslist if there is a board for where you live (or don't mind driving to). Craigslist is full of people who are looking to buy and sell car parts online. There is even a specific board just for car parts listings. With a few simple emails, you might be able to find exactly the part you are looking for, or with someone who knows how to find it.