Many people are reluctant to buy a car because of the difficulties they’ve seen other people experience while car shopping. They see others becoming distraught and frustrated and decide against the whole process. The truth is, car shopping doesn’t have to be this way, as you can see if you read the car shopping tips in the following article.

If you are trading in an automobile, visit your local library and find out the value of your car. You can also look this information up online in several different locations. By having the trade-in value of your car and the retail value of your car you can negotiate better.

Ask the car dealer to show you a vehicle history report. This can tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident or if it has been recalled. It can also show you what repairs have been done and when they were done so that you know exactly what you are buying.

Do not buy a car just because it is a good deal. You have to live with this car after you take it home, so it needs to be something that you really like and that works for you and your family. You also need to make sure you can really afford it.

Research the value of your trade-in. Not only do you need to research the best price for the new car you would like to purchase, but you also need to know how much your trade-in is worth. Do your homework and find out the retail and wholesale values of your trade-in. Aim to get the retail value from the dealer.

Be aggressive and assertive. You will inevitably end up negotiating the price of your vehicle, so don’t be afraid to push a little. Be prepared to walk away from the dealership if you aren’t making progress. Leave the offer alone for a day or two, and then contact the salesman again. If they know that you are willing to walk away, they will be more likely to accept your offer or to counter-offer with a more reasonable price.

If you are not confident in your ability to resist high-pressure sales pitches, do not shop for a car alone. Take someone you trust to help facilitate negotiations and ask key questions. Brief your companion on your vehicle needs and how much you have available to spend.

When heading to a car dealership, get prepared for your bargaining side to come out. While there many be some dealers who have your best interest at heart, most just want to get as much money out of you as they can. This is why you have to be strict and never settle on a deal you are uncomfortable with.

Never purchase a car the same day that you find it. A rule of thumb is to sleep on the decision. That way you have time to think about the pros and cons of the car and how much you think the car is for you. Do not worry that the car will be sold in the meantime as there are many more out there.

Ask if you can have an independent mechanic do an inspection. Choose an honest mechanic with a good reputation. Don’t use the mechanic that the dealer suggests. The mechanic can tell you if you can drive the car, and if you are paying a fair amount for it overall.

If you are looking to purchase a used car, it is of the utmost importance that you get a copy of the vehicle maintenance and repair history. This will allow you to see what has been done to the car, and if it has been in any serious accidents.

Read all the documents that are presented to you when you purchase a new car. They will usually have a large stack for you to sign. Don’t feel pressured into signing anything that you do not understand. If you do not understand something, ask about it before signing. Until you sign your name to all the paperwork, you can walk out of the dealership and not owe a dime.

You should test drive the car you want with every feature you desire. For example, test driving a manual model when you want automatic won’t show you anything. If they don’t have the exact model on the lot, go to a lot which does for the test drive as you can always go back for the purchase, if you want to.

When purchasing a car, be wary of the age and mileage warranty of the vehicle. In most cases, you are likely to hit the mileage first so make sure you understand exactly how long you are likely to be covered before making a decision on what vehicle you will purchase.

Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.

Whenever buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, try and find out what the return policy is, or even if one exists. If one does, make sure you understand how long it is and whether or not you will get registration and licence fees refunded along with sales tax for the vehicle.

When you get financing from a dealership, you must scrutinize the contract you are offered. You need to know how much you’re being given, what the interest rate is, how soon it is due in full, how much the payments are, when the payments are due, what happens when you miss a payment, etc.

As you can see from reading this article, car shopping doesn’t have to be a bad experience. If you have been holding back on buying a car due to other people having bad experiences, just remember that buying a car can be a good thing. Use the tips, release your fears, and start car shopping.