With High New-Car Prices, Consider These Tips if a Used Car Purchase is in Your Plans

 For consumers planning to purchase a lower-priced new vehicle, recent trends may be disheartening: manufacturers are producing far fewer affordable cars. 

According to a report from Cox Automotive, 36 vehicle models with a price tag of under $25,000 were manufactured in 2017. By 2022, that number had dropped to 10. Used vehicles might be looking like a promising alternative. Georgians in the 13 counties that require emissions testing (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale) will want to take an important factor into consideration when buying a used vehicle. 

“Georgia law requires that all sellers of gasoline-powered cars and light-duty trucks located within metro Atlanta's 13-county testing area have a current, valid passing vehicle inspection report (VIR) if the buyer plans to register the vehicle in the 13-county testing area,” said Michael Odom of the Georgia Environmental Protection Department. “A buyer should confirm that the vehicle has a current, valid passing VIR before purchasing it.” Vehicle inspection reports can be obtained on Georgia’s Clean Air Force website using the vehicle identification number (VIN). A guide entitled “Buyer Beware: What To Do Before Buying A Used Vehicle” is available (in both English and Spanish) from the website as well. 

Additional best practices for buying a used vehicle include:

• Have your mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection of the vehicle.
• Ask to see service records for the vehicle.
• Determine if the vehicle is offered with a warranty, and if so, what is covered and what actions invalidate it.
• Ask the seller to provide the CARFAX or other vehicle history report. If the seller is unable or unwilling to do so, consider obtaining a vehicle history report on your own using the VIN.
• Research any recalls, technical service bulletins, and manufacturer warranties for the vehicle.