Pro Tips to Help You Buy a Used Car

Cars are pricier than ever, which means it pays to shop smart. The goal isn’t just scoring a deal — it’s finding a car that fits your life and lasts for years. A little strategy (and a head start) can keep you from getting taken for a ride by a salesperson or stuck with a car that falls short down the road.

In partnership with Mercury Insurance, I’ve laid out some of the fundamental steps in buying a used car, the right way, so you buy the right car, the first time. 

Make a List

Buying a car can be overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from, features to consider, and listings to mull over. Instead of jumping right in, set yourself up for success by making a list of what you need and want out of your next car.

“When shopping for a used vehicle, I always start by prioritizing crash avoidance and protection technologies,” said Justin Yoshizawa, Director of Product Management at Mercury Insurance. “Features like blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are non-negotiable. These systems have proven to significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.”

Start by taking stock of your priorities. What do you love — and loathe — about your current car? How long do you plan to keep the next one? Think about safety features, space, and how your lifestyle might change in the next five years. A little reflection now will make your search that much clearer.

There are many myths about cars that influence what we ultimately decide to buy. Vehicle color is one of those. “Vehicle color is not a factor in determining your insurance premium,” said Yoshizawa. “Insurers base rates on data-driven elements such as the vehicle’s make, model, year, engine size, repair costs, safety ratings, and theft history—not on color.” That said, Yoshizawa notes that lighter color vehicles, including yellow, white, and silver, are more visible on the road and may reduce your accident risk. 

This list will help you stay focused on what’s most important to you and narrow your choices. 

Do Your Research

Armed with your list and at least an idea of what your budget is, it’s time to start researching what cars check all or most of the boxes. The research and your list will help put your budget into perspective. If what you need isn’t possible with the money you want to spend, you’ll either need to reevaluate your needs or adjust your budget.

Consumer Reports offers great comprehensive vehicle reviews, and Edmunds, as well as Kelly Blue Book, are aggregators that make shopping for most cars for sale at dealerships in your area a little easier. If you’re buying a car for cash, sites like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and the good old Craigslist all list vehicles for sale by owner in your area. 

By doing this work on the front end, you’re more likely to buy a car that actually meets your needs while being less susceptible to pressure from salespeople in the moment.

Test Drive

When you settle on a model (or maybe several models), and find some available in your area, it’s time to go test drive. You want to confirm that the model you’ve settled on is truly the right choice for you. Sometimes what might seem perfect on paper might be totally wrong when you actually drive it. 

I’ve experienced this myself a while back. I unexpectedly had to shop for a car after my vehicle was totaled on my way to work. It was a back against the wall kind of situation, where I didn’t have time to do all the work to find the best options. I quickly looked through what was available locally and found a certified pre-owned Toyota Yaris that, on paper, checked all the boxes. Affordable, dependable, with a good history of reliability. 

So, I rushed over to test drive it, hopes high, only to be summarily dashed before even leaving the parking lot. It was way too small. My head hit the ceiling; there was no center armrest. I just couldn’t get comfortable, let alone drive it for an extended period. I went back to the drawing board and ended up with a Subaru Impreza. 

The test drive should be at least 15 to 20 minutes long. Drive on both the highway and regular streets. Pay close attention to the cars and make note of anything that seems hinky. Clunking, clanking, rattling, dash lights, anything that doesn’t quite feel right, even if you can’t put your finger on it. The test drive should help you decide whether to pursue buying the car or move on to the next one on your list. 

Pre-Purchase Inspection

When you buy a used car, you buy it as is in almost all cases. That means if there’s anything wrong with it, that’s on you. All the problems are yours after you sign on the dotted line. To ensure that you’re buying a car in the condition you expect it to be, and avoid unexpected surprises to the best of your ability, you should get a pre-purchase inspection. It doesn’t matter if the purchase is from a dealership or a friend. 

Pre-purchase inspections aren’t free. You’ll pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 – $250, depending on the area you live in and the shop you take it to. You should be certain you want to buy the car, unless something major comes up during the inspection, at this point in the process. 

This inspection serves multiple purposes. You’ll discuss anything that came up during the test drive, get a full checkup, and ask the mechanic for their opinion on the vehicle’s condition. Be sure to get a write-up that covers what’s wrong with the cover and the cost to fix it. This is helpful for budgeting in those repairs, understanding what you’re up against, and negotiating for a reduced price or for the repairs to be covered.

Additionally, if you don’t have a relationship mechanic, this is your chance to test out a new shop before you even buy your car. 

Negosiate

If the car checks out, it’s time to buckle down, negotiate the best price, and take home your new (used) car. The research you did earlier in the process will help you have a sense of what the car you’re buying is worth, but reevaluating now that you have the specifics is important. 

Make sure you input the car into tools like Kelly Blue Book accurately, because if you leave out options like a sunroof, blind spot monitoring, or even leather seats, you’ll get a valuation that may be significantly lower than it should be. The same goes for trim level, mileage, color, and condition.

There are a lot of ways to go about negotiating, but one thing is for sure: money isn’t the only thing to negotiate for, but certainly an important part of the process. 

You can negotiate to have any needed repairs taken care of, a lower interest rate, accessories like a roof rack or remote start, and even a few oil changes to get you started. If you’re trading a car in, the value of that car is also negotiable. 

I’m a firm believer in making a fair offer and not kicking tires in the hopes of saving a few dollars. Once you’ve decided on a fair price, you can approach negotiating in two distinct ways. You can “haggle,” or state your price, stick to your guns, and walk away if they say no, hoping they won’t let you do that or will call you back once you do.

Shop Insurance

If you can, shop your car insurance at every renewal — or at least once a year. It’s the best way to confirm you’re getting the coverage you expect at the rate you deserve. Buying a used car is also a great time to revisit your policy and make sure it still fits your needs.

“Rates can vary significantly by vehicle type and insurer, and you might discover opportunities for better coverage or discounts—especially when bundling your policies with one carrier,” said Yoshizawa. “At Mercury, we encourage drivers to treat insurance reviews like routine maintenance: it keeps you protected, informed, and confident that you’re getting the right coverage for your money.”

Shop your Mercury Insurance rates here.