How to Buy a Used Car

At our dealership in the Louisville area, we’re often asked about how to buy a used car. Our pre-owned inventory has become increasingly popular among drivers near Elizabethtown, Clarksville, and other local areas who are searching for their ideal set of wheels.

To help, the team at The Kia Store put together this quick step-by-step guide to buying and financing a used car.

1.Know Your Budget for Buying a Used Car

Whether you’re applying for new or used car loans, it’s important to know your budget before you begin the hunt for the car of your dreams. In general, it’s recommended that you allocate no more than 15% of your monthly income to your car expenses.

This includes:

• Monthly payment
• Fuel costs
• Insurance and registration premiums
• Upkeep and maintenance costs

Once you have an idea of your budget, you can start browsing our inventory online to explore your options.

Related Post: What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

2.Decide if You Want a Used or Certified Pre-Owned Car

Also consider whether you want to buy a used car or a certified pre-owned car. While both options come with all the benefits of shopping for and driving a used car, certified pre-owned (CPO) models come with a few additional benefits.

These cars are all five model years or newer and have 60,000 miles or fewer in on their odometer. They’ve also undergone a rigorous 164-point Quality Assurance Inspection and include the additional peace of mind of a limited factory warranty.

3.Explore the Used Cars for Sale at your Local Dealership

The next step to buying a used car is finding a used car for sale that you love. You can begin from the comfort of your own home by viewing your local dealership’s inventory on their website. You can also head directly to your dealership to work one-on-one with a member of their sales team.

At our Louisville area dealership, we’re always happy to take the time to learn more about your lifestyle and point you toward a used car we think could make a great fit for you.

4.View the Vehicle History Report

When you find a used car you want to drive home, ask to see the vehicle history report (VHR). These reports use the vehicle identification number (VIN) to keep an active record of the car’s history. They include several pieces of information, such as:

• Number of previous owners
• Title and accident history
• Odometer readings and rollback alerts
• Rebuilt or reconstructed parts and salvage title history

Many used car dealerships will provide these for free with their CPO models.

5.Secure Your Used Car Financing

All that’s left to do now is head to the finance center and work with one of your dealership’s dedicated financial advisors. They can tell you more about their current deals, specials, and incentives as well as explore what used car interest rates are available to you.

The finance center team will also work with you to decide on the right loan terms for your budget before reaching out to their network of local lenders on your behalf to help you secure your used car loan.

You can complete our finance application online at any time to get started.

We’ll Show You How to Buy a Used Car

If you’re shopping for a pre-owned car, come to The Kia Store and we’ll show you how to buy a used car. Drivers in the Louisville, Elizabethtown, Clarksville areas can contact us to explore our used cars for sale today!