What to Know When Buying Used

Heed this advice from OnStar and AutoTrader.com when buying a used vehicle

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Sep 12, 2012, 12:19 ET

DETROIT, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leader in vehicle connectivity, OnStar provides valuable services to not only owners of new General Motors vehicles, but to owners of used vehicles as well.

Approximately 3.3 used cars are sold for every one new car sold, which makes understanding the buying process an important skill.

Mindful of the difficulties that many drivers face when purchasing a used vehicle, OnStar teamed up with AutoTrader.com to make buying pre-owned vehicles a little easier.

Below are a few tips from AutoTrader.com and OnStar about what to know and do, when shopping for a used car:

Consider purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle: Certified pre-owned vehicles usually come with extended warranties and have been thoroughly inspected before being sold.
Make sure the potential vehicle is functional for everyone who will be traveling in it: If searching for a used family vehicle, bring the whole family on an extended test drive to make sure everyone is comfortable with the vehicle. If you have small children, use this time to make sure child safety seats fit and can easily be installed in the vehicle.
Purchase a vehicle history report and have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic: Taking both of these actions can reduce the chance of unexpected issues later.
Ask about promotional programs: Many manufactures offer incentives to purchase their used vehicles. For instance, buyers of used GM vehicles equipped with OnStar are eligible to receive a three-month free trial of OnStar's Directions & Connections package, which includes Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Automatic Crash Response, Remote Door Unlock, Hands-Free Calling and more.
Secure your financing in advance: Because used vehicle loans can vary when it comes to interest rates, visit your local bank or credit union before making a final decision so you can be sure you're receiving the best interest rate.
Don't negotiate price based on what you want your monthly payment to be: Monthly payments can always be lowered to fit your budget by extending the length of the loan. But extending the length of the loan makes the car more expensive. Negotiations should be made based on the price of the car, rather that the monthly payment.
Remember the sale process continues past the acceptance of an offer: After both parties agree upon an appropriate price, dealers usually will offer extra accessories and services you might not be interested in. Be sure to stand firm and make it clear that you are not interested in paying more than the previously agreed upon price.

For more information on OnStar's visit www.OnStar.com

For more information on AutoTrader visit www.AutoTrader.com

About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China, OnStar is currently available on more than 45 MY 2012 GM models, as well as available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

About AutoTrader.com
Created in 1997, Atlanta-based AutoTrader.com is the Internet's ultimate automotive marketplace. As a leading resource for car shoppers and sellers, AutoTrader.com aggregates millions of new, used and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of dealers and private sellers and provides expert articles and reviews. AutoTrader.com, which also operates the AutoTraderClassics.com auto marketing brand, is wholly owned by AutoTrader Group. Additionally, AutoTrader Group owns Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) as well as three other companies that provide a full suite of software tools that help dealers and manufacturers manage their inventory and advertising online: vAuto, HomeNet Automotive and VinSolutions. AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. Providence Equity Partners is a 25 percent owner of the company and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor. For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.

SOURCE General Motors