Tips For Used Car Shoppers Looking To Buy During COVID-19

Six Easy Steps to Get the Right Car at the Right Price

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May 12, 2020, 09:16 ET

CENTREVILLE, Va., May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The shutdowns due to COVID-19 have changed the way American companies have done business, and as with many other industries, car dealerships are adapting to changing circumstances. Dealers across the country offer everything from appointment-only showroom shopping to online buying that includes a white glove driveway delivery. Currently, dealers in all 50 states can now either have customers in their showroom or can offer consumers a remote way to buy a car.

It's a different world now for car shoppers, so here are some tips to help make sure you still get the right car at the right price:

Do your homework on the vehicles you're considering. All vehicles listed on CARFAX.com come with a free CARFAX Vehicle History Report. It provides better understanding of their service history and any possible damage. You can also visit CARFAX.com to purchase a history report if the seller isn't offering you one.
Ask the dealer to be your eyes and ears on the lot. Request photos and videos of any car you're thinking about. If there are features you care most about, ask them to take videos for you demonstrating that they work properly.
Research the car's value to make sure you aren't overpaying. The free CARFAX History-Based Value is based on several factors including where you live, the VIN-specific history of that vehicle, and current market conditions.
Check for open recalls. They're noted on the CARFAX Vehicle History Report and you can use our free recall check to make sure any recall work is completed before you buy.
Take the car for a test drive. It's still important to perform your due diligence when it comes to how the vehicle drives and if there are any apparent issues. Make sure you take steps to properly disinfect any surfaces before touching them.
Inquire about whether the seller has a return policy. Allow for time to have an independent mechanic inspect the car – they can see areas you can't – and negotiate a several day return window if there are issues. And remember, service bays are open all over the country that can perform these inspections.

"We see our customers who are still looking to buy vehicles," said Delleney Love, Vice President at Love Chevrolet in Columbia, South Carolina. "We're trying to do anything we can to make that experience safe and comfortable. We live in a virtual world, and we're comfortable connecting through screens. We know it's an unprecedented time, but there are plenty of resources and tools available to make the digital car buying experience a successful one. Our goal is to make researching a vehicle and its history easier than ever, so our customers can make confident decisions."

About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides exclusive services like CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX™. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

SOURCE CARFAX