Buying a new car is one way to make sure that nobody else has already used and abused it. However, a lot of parents just don’t have the spare money to afford a new car for their family, when they’re also paying for all the other expenses that come with having children. Is it safe for families to buy a used car that someone else has already driven?
Check The Safety Rating
The IIHS and NHTSA give safety scores every year for every model of car that is on the market. These ratings come from real-life crash tests to assess if car would be dangerous to be in during a crash and how well the car protects its passengers. You can find these scores for each model online.
Read The Reviews
Look for reviews and reactions from other families who have owned the model you’re looking at and see how they found it. Expert reviews are definitely worth listening to, but you might get some more value out of hearing how a fellow parent found driving that car.
Find The Vehicle History Report
Just because a car looks to be pristine, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t been involved in an accident or has been maintained well. Get the vehicle history report to see if any major repairs, insurance claims, or neglected upkeep are being hidden in the car’s history. If you are dealing directly with the former owner, ask to see documentation and receipts for all self-performed parts replacements.
Make Sure Any Recalls Have Been Resolved
A pre-owned vehicle might have an open recall on it that has not yet been resolved if the former owner didn’t take it to the dealership for repair. To check if this is the case, you can look online to find out. If you do find any open recalls, you will need to have a certified dealership put right any issues before you can drive the car safely.
Only Buy From A Trusted Seller
The saying that if it’s too good to be true, it probably is, definitely applies to buying a used car. Don’t take what looks like a great deal on a used car if it’s being sold by someone who doesn’t have a good reputation or the right credentials. Your family’s safety is important, so it’s not worth putting them in danger for the sake of a cheaper car.
Get A Second Opinion
Have a trusted mechanic look over the car for any damage you might have missed when you checked it, such as underside rust, flood damage, or wear to the engine. They can give you an honest opinion on whether or not the car is safe to drive.