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When you've reached the point where you're seriously considering car ownership, preceding a second hand vehicle, bear in mind that there are a variety of options to get through - most of which require strategic thinking, to say the least. 

Predominantly, not only do you want to select the make and model of your desired vehicle, but also you'll need to decide if this is the path that you want to take. This'll be one of the most important decisions you'll be making, and this decision can make or break a healthy financial status down the line.

On top of that, it's a mark of a well-educated and intelligent individual to understand that buying a used vehicle is not an investment. 

With so many choices to deal with, finding the vehicle of your dreams is quite a challenge. But not if those choices are divided into manageable steps and conquered one by one. And this is exactly what we’ve put together for you here:

1. Establish a budget

If you have set aside cash to spend on a used car, then it's pretty much straightforward here on.

However, if you're thinking loans, then consider this rule of thumb: your monthly loan repayment should be less than or equal to 10% of your fortnightly earnings. This will be reasonable if you're operating on a tight budget.

Unlike a home, vehicles in general aren't investments. In addition, they're costly to maintain down the line. Costs such as new tires, service and repair, tints, upgrades, and the like, can't be avoided.

It's also wise to have a "just-in-case" funds alongside your budget, to cover for the inevitable. At this point, strategizing early will help you progress smoothly in this venture.

2. Create a criteria to work with

With more than 200 vehicles listed on Marketmeri at any one time, choosing one that fits your style and taste can be tricky, because of the host of other vehicles that you have to go through.

This is where creating a criteria to work by is important. of course, price will be the main starting point, but not until you have things like quality, reliability, and the cost of owning a vehicle have been considered as you go along - in which case, they can easily help you filter your decision down to the bear minimum, just to name a few.

3. Research used car yards

This is an extension of the previous point, and so are the rest of these steps. However, we took them apart because of their qualifying significance in coming together as steps in this process.

Regardless, once you have a criteria in place, the next step is to begin your research. There are a good number of used car dealerships around the country, as well as newspaper classifieds and most of all Marketmeri. 

With Marketmeri, you don’t have to brave the hot sun visiting every potential used car yard, to find what you’re looking for. Instead, you can do your research in the comfort of your own home. 

4. Compare prices

Normally, comparing prices will come about once you’ve exhausted your list of potential used car dealerships that have what you’re looking for. At this point, your goal is to get the best deal possible, which will usually stem from understanding why the same vehicle sold by another dealer is priced differently.

For the most part, price remains the main element in every buying decision, and buying a used car is no exception.

5. Contact seller

By now, your criteria is partly satisfied. What you want to do next is contact the seller. But it does not mean you quickly make your way down to the used car dealership to touch, feel and smell your dream car. No.

You make a call instead, to the seller. It's like this: first you make contact, then you meet in-person, and the rest is urban legend. So make the call.

And while you're at it, keep in mind that this is your opportunity to fashion a good relationship with the seller, which will follow soothingly when you want to verify the vehicle's information described by the ad.

Contacting the seller before visiting the showroom will save you time and effort, because you can easily know if the vehicle's in stock, and if the seller will be there to meet you.

What’s more, the seller might mention something that wasn’t noted in the ad, and may change your mind altogether about pursuing the deal. So calling the seller early on will save you from a lot of trouble.

6. Meet in-person with the seller

When a meeting between you and the seller has been arranged, presumably right after you've contacted them, make sure that on that day you're accompanied by a friend or wantok - someone who can give you an honest second opinion about everything involved; a professional mechanic is an excellent starting point.

7. Ask questions to know more

Never be afraid to ask questions, because how can you know more about something if you don't attempt to understand it?

This in mind, when you contact the seller for the first time, ask questions and get answers. Thoughts are meant to translate into words, so if you have something in mind about the used car that's bothering you, your first contact with the seller is your window of opportunity.

For instance, you might want to ask the following:

• How long have you had the car and what is the reason for selling?
• What condition is the car in?
• Has the car been in a crash of any kind or sustained any damage?
• Who was the car bought from? Ideally the seller or the previous owner bought the car new.
• Will the car meet a Road Worthy Certificate (RWC)? If not, walk away.

After all, you’ll be the one making the payments, not the seller. So, do not hesitate to ask questions when that time comes. Remember, what you seek is actually seeking you.

8. Verify vehicle’s history

Unless, of course, you’re in the business of transforming a white elephant into space craft, verifying the vehicle’s history shouldn’t fall outside of your radar. This early step is essential, because although they’re manageable, vehicles are costly to maintain.

What you don’t want is to spend money on maintaining a piece of junk with a lifespan of one year or less. 

9. Inspect and test-drive

If the seller begins to fiddle with his hands or eyebrows, avoids your glances, or stutters with consistent swallowing of saliva at this request, then something’s not right with this deal and the vehicle. 

Remember, you’re the one who’s going to be spending. Not the seller, so it’s wise to do an inspection and a test drive so whatever potential issue that’s identified can be quickly rectified in a yes-or-no deal.

Otherwise, like step 8, you’ll be taking home a white elephant. At this stage, having a mechanic accompany you in this step will do you more good than harm.

10. Negotiate a deal

So the seller has satisfied your criteria up to this point. Champagne and ice? Not just yet!

There’s the negotiations and the paperwork still to be sought. First things first, negotiate. Not just any kind of negotiation, but to find a common ground that’s ripe for a good deal. 

If you are reasonable and have a plan, chances are you can make a deal pretty quickly and easily:

• Decide ahead of time how much you're willing to spend to get the car. But don't start with this number in your discussion.
• Make an opening offer that is lower than your maximum price, but in the ballpark based on your average price paid research in Step 3. Explain that you've done your research on Marketmeri or wherever else, so you have facts to support your offer.
• If you and the seller arrive at a price that sounds good to you and is near the average price anticipated, you're probably in good shape.
• And remember, the people on the other side probably dislike negotiating too — even if it's their job.

11. Paperwork 

Some people want the peace of mind that comes with extended warranties, so this is something you might want to consider unless the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty. 

Review the sales contract thoroughly. In most instances, it should list the cost of the vehicle, a documentation fee, possibly a small charge for a smog certificate, sales tax and license fees.

Make sure the seller properly transfers the title and registration to you. It's important to close the deal correctly to avoid after-sale hassles. Before money changes hands, ask for the title (which is sometimes called the pink slip) and have the seller sign it over to you. Rules governing vehicle registration and licensing vary from state to state. 

If possible, check with your local vehicle experts to make sure there are no past-due registration fees you'd be responsible for, should you buy the car. Whether you buy from a dealer or a private seller, ensure the vehicle is insured before driving away.

Once you've done the paperwork, it's time to celebrate your new purchase — this time, yes, champagne and ice cubes are in order. You deserve it!

See Marketmeri’s list of  Best Used Cars and save some serious cash without compromising on features or performance.

The Essence

Remember, most understandings about buying a used car, even a new one, are without pattern, so we imbue steps with them in a figurative perspective, which takes care of itself in a process and makes it easier for us to comply.