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Used Car Buying Checklist

As you start shopping for your next ride, you’ll likely have a lot of questions about how to buy a used car. Which steps do you need to take to make sure you’ll have a smooth experience around Manhattan, Junction City, or Wamego, KS? The team at Murdock Manhattan Chevrolet is here to help with our used car buying checklist.

With these tools and our team on your side, we’ll make sure you have a great time as you shop for your used car. Here are some of the steps you’ll want to follow:

  • Create a must-have list
  • Research potential vehicles/learn about reliable vehicles and their value
  • Set a budget and consider ownership costs
  • Find a model/read the vehicle history report
  • Take it for a test drive
  • Explore financing options

Used Car Buying Checklist

Research Your Next Vehicle

There are a few places to start when researching the model you want. You can start by putting together a list of must-have features for yourself—consider things like extra cargo space, all-wheel drive, and impressive fuel economy ratings to help narrow down your options. 

It’s helpful to look into popular and reliable models. Once you decide which automotive body style you want, resources like vehicle reviews and Kelley Blue Book® will be incredibly useful. These can also give you an idea of the price, which can help as you set your budget.

Something else to research and consider as you set your budget are the ownership costs, such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance. While these don’t come into play up front, they’re important to keep in mind and make allowances for within your budget.
Research Your Next Vehicle

    Locate Your Model

    Once you’ve got the details nailed down, it’s time to find the model you want. At this stage, the vehicle history report will be incredibly important to use. With each model that piques your interest, you’ll want to find out everything there is to know about its past. 

    The vehicle history report will tell you if it’s been in any reported accidents, how many owners it’s had, and provide an idea of its maintenance history, among other things. 

    If you like everything you see, it’s time to visit the model for yourself and take it for a test drive. Before you even take it on the road, you’ll want to inspect the vehicle from top to bottom to ensure everything is up to your standards. Some helpful things to look for are:

    • Condition of the upholstery
    • Strange smells inside the cabin
    • How smoothly the doors and trunk open and close

    You’ll also want to check that all special features are working properly. If your model has an infotainment display, Bluetooth®, or Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, see that these are all functioning as they should. You could even turn on the radio to check that the speakers offer solid audio quality.
    Locate Your Model

      Working With a Dealership

      During the test drive, you can ask the sales team expert to tell you more about the model. As you drive, pay attention to the responsiveness and performance of the model to see that it feels right. 

      If everything seems good, you’ll get to proceed to the next step: explore financing options. Since you’ve already done your research and set your budget, you’ll simply want to inform the finance team member about your needs. They’ll work with you to find a plan that matches. 
      Test Drive

        Buy a Used Car

        We hope these used car buying tips will help as you embark on this exciting adventure. Shopping around Manhattan, Junction City, and Wamego, Kansas, for a used car is sure to be a lot of fun, but remember: We are here to help.

        If you want to check out our inventory or need more guidance, reach out to our Murdock Manhattan Chevrolet team today!

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