Why buy a used car? After all, they’re not nearly as reliable as new ones are, right? And once they have been driven and handled by multiple previous owners, there’s no telling what kind of shape they’ll be in when you get them. Despite these common misconceptions about buying used, it really is the smarter option, especially if you know what to look for and where to look for it. Let’s take a closer look at why used cars are actually the better choice when shopping around for your next vehicle.

Rather than purchase a new car, purchase a used one, as buying a used car rather than a new one is a good choice for a lot of people right now. With high inflation rates across the United States, U.S. citizens are facing the harsh reality of seeing how this impacts them in two of the most common areas: the grocery store and the gas pump. The Kelley Blue Book estimates that a new car costs about $47,000 in early 2022, and this might be a good time to purchase a used. 

Buying used will help you save money.

A used car can save you big bucks in several ways. For starters, you will pay less on the sticker price alone – but that’s not all. Additionally, you will spend less on fees, insurance, and depreciation than if you bought a brand-new car.

As of the second quarter of 2022, drivers financing a used vehicle paid an average of $515 per month, while those financing a new vehicle paid around $667. Buying a used car instead of a new one can save you over $160 a month, which amounts to thousands of dollars. In addition to the obvious reason of paying a lower purchase price for a used car of a different year, there are some others as well. 

5 advantages of buying a used car

You can’t just decide whether a used car is in good or bad condition based on first impressions alone. You need to thoroughly inspect it before making a decision. Nevertheless, here are five of the best reasons to purchase a used car. 

1. Less car depreciation

Vehicle depreciation is unavoidable when driving, but buying a used car will be a lot more affordable than a new one, with 20% less depreciation after the initial buy-off of the car. A lot of cars will drop 10 percent in value after the first year, which equates to a 30 percent loss in value during the first year.

When buying a used vehicle, it depreciates at a slower rate than a new one. That’s because once you drive it, the initial depreciation already took place. A brand-new car depreciates the minute you leave the lot, but buying a used car leads to slower depreciation. This makes your loan-to-value ratio stable.

2. Lowering insurance costs

Your car insurance will be different based on how old you are, your driving history, your credit score, your miles, and the cost of the car. A car will cost less than an insurance rate, so typically used vehicles have cheaper rates than new ones. The cost of car insurance will depend on the value of the vehicle. A used vehicle is less valuable than a newer model, so its insurance should be lower.

In terms of coverage recommendations, if your car is older, you might want to get only liability and be sure that your state allows it. Or if your car is newer, you might want to add comprehensive and collision, but remember that insurance rates are not the same. So be sure to do some research, comparison, and cost estimations before purchasing your policy on the spot. 

3. Lower dealer fees 

A used vehicle incurs less fees than a new vehicle since its final cost is lower. This is the same reason why insurance rates vary by ZIP code. You should especially keep this in mind when paying any sales tax.

Check the DMV website for specifics on title tax, registration, and documentation fees associated with a used vehicle purchase. 

2. More impact for your budget

Other than affordability, there are other benefits associated with buying used. You can buy more cars by buying used rather than new.

If you have your sights set on a luxury vehicle, this may be a year you won’t be able to buy it. You might want to consider waiting a year and purchasing a two- or three-year old model. Carmakers no longer design their models annually, so tech and design upgrades won’t be as important. 

1. Additional peace of mind

Not so long ago, buying a used car carried a stigma and many people saw it as a risk, but the advent of vehicle history reports has changed that outlook. People can now see the details of a car’s ownership, accident history, title status, and mileage – this has resulted in an understanding that buying a used car needn’t be a risk.

Investigate a used vehicle’s history before buying one by viewing the VIN number’s information on websites like AutoCheck and CarFax. These sites verify a vehicle’s mileage, if it was declared totaled by insurance, etc.

Certified pre-owned option   

For those concerned about hidden problems in a used car, purchasing certified pre-owned may be a solution for you. Not only will you get to purchase a used car and save money, but you will also have confidence in its reliability. The majority of automakers have some form of a Certified Pre-Owned program. These are used cars that the manufacturer says meet their established standards and come with some type of warranty.

This can be done by searching the used car inventories at dealerships in your area. Dealerships use their own individual vocabularies when describing CPO options, so it’s a good idea to do your research online before arriving at a physical dealership. More than anything else, many of these vehicles come with lengthy warranties to protect you and yours, so take the time to know what it’s really covering. 

Next 

Buying a used car is a great way to get behind the wheel without paying a huge sum like you would with a new car. You will not be dealing with as much depreciation, your vehicle registration and insurance will be less, and you will know that your vehicle is in excellent shape.

When shopping for a used car, don’t forget to check auto loan rates in order to make sure that you are getting the best deal on financing. It will also let you know the cost of the monthly payments that financing may entail.