Everybody loves change and what better way to find change in your life than switching out your car? Then of course, some of us just have vehicles that are just about used up and need to be replaced. Whatever your reason, before you go car shopping for your quality pre-owned car, here are a few tips to help you on your way.



1. Price Comparison - Before you even step foot on the car lot, do your homework on which car you might be leaning toward and what it will cost. This will give you a base idea of how to compare apples to apples. Good online sources for vehicle value are Kelley Blue Book Used Car Values or even local classifieds. Remember that these tools will give you only averages and will have to take into consideration the vehicle's condition, mileage, optional equipment and other factors.

2. Research Vehicle Certification - When the term "certified used" or "certified pre-owned," is used, it means that cars are offered for sale by your local dealer and feature warranties that extend beyond the initial "when new" coverage. For a vehicle to qualify to be a "certified used" vehicle, the warranty must be backed by the original vehicle manufacturer. The original manufacturer of the vehicle is using its dealer network to inspect the car, determine if it is worth certifying and then offer support for the vehicle for a period of time beyond the original warranty. Not all used cars can qualify for certified pre-owned programs, and terms vary from one brand to the next, but any true certified pre-owned program will include at least a 100-point inspection of the car. If problems are found, the factory-trained technicians will fix it or disqualify the car from the program. The certified warranty protection typically takes effect when the original warranty expires and, like a new car warranty, offers coverage for a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first. Make sure the manufacturer - and not just the local dealer - is offering the certification. That way you know the CPO car meets the manufacturer's stringent certified requirements, and you'll be able to have your vehicle serviced at locations nationwide.

3. Vehicle History - You have probably seen the commercials where the individual is selling their car that could have been ruined by a flood and yet rather than confess the damage, they comment that it has had miner water damage. To find out a vehicle's true history, the best way is to use Carfax. To use Carfax, you will need the vehicle's identification number or VIN number. Carfax' history dates back to 1986 when it worked closely with the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, providing vehicle history reports to the dealer market. By the end of 1993, Carfax obtained title information from nearly all fifty states. With the largest automobile database, the company offered all consumers the same instant access to vehicle history reports that auto dealers, banks and other businesses were already subscribed to. Carfax can provide you with a ton of information on the vehicle you are looking at, letting you know whether it has been in a wreck or damaged then repaired, how many people have owned it, what types of major repairs it has had and more. While you never can be 100% sure about the accuracy of the Carfax information, it well may be worth $30 to find out what is listed. More information is always better when you are buying a car.

4. What is Your Credit Score - Knowing something about your credit before you walk in to buy a car is helpful. Knowing where you stand will give you a heads up on what kind of loan you can qualify for before you start shopping. Simultaneously, you will also want to weigh what kind of payment you can afford. Vehicle loans are typically three to five years and interest rates vary according to your credit score. There are many online calculators to help you estimate what your payment might be based on estimated current vehicle interest rates and length of loan. Being prepared ahead of time with what you know you can afford will help you keep focused on what type of vehicles to look at and test drive. You certainly don't want to get your heart set on something out of your budget and yet you want to buy something that fits your life style.

5. Matching Your Car To Your Lifestyle - While speaking of lifestyle, decide ahead of time what type of vehicle you need that will match your needs. Do you have children and car seats? Do you like to go off road or are you primarily a city driver? With children you will need plenty of room and maybe four doors to get in and out of the back easily. If you want to go off road, you will need a vehicle with clearance and maybe four-wheel drive. You may not mind a stick shift or manual vehicle if you are going off road but may not want this if you primarily drive in the city. What about color? If you live in a hot climate, black is probably out of the picture. What color appeals to you? And there are features. Vehicles come with plenty of features. What type features are important to you? Cup holders, ashtrays, leg room, sunroof, sound, having everything automated, tires - figure out ahead of time what it is you absolutely love and what you can live without.

With these few tips, you will be certain to make a wise decision when making your next pre-owned vehicle purchase.