Checklist: Buying a Used Car in Missouri | Clement Pre-Owned, MO

Buying a used car is more daunting than choosing a new one. You should consider many factors, such as wear and tear, technical characteristics, financial options, etc. How to select the right make and model, find the best price, and navigate conversations with sellers? Our simple guide to buying a used car, compiled by the Clement Pre-Owned team, provides clear insights.

When considering a car purchase, you first need to determine your budget. Check your savings - having a fair amount is a great start, but if you don't, explore financing options that fit your lifestyle comfortably. You can take out a loan right at the dealership. To ensure you can manage the payments, use our simple  car loan calculator.

If you already have a car, trade-in is another no-trouble way. At Clement Pre-Owned, we aim to provide excellent value for your vehicle and assist you in selecting your ideal car from our extensive inventory in Missouri. Read more information about the trade-in car values. 

Remember about the additional expenses:

1. Taxes are applied during the vehicle purchase and vary based on the state's regulations. You'll also encounter additional fees such as registration, title, and license plate costs. Read more information about sales tax on cars in Missouri. 
2. Gas costs: estimate your monthly gas expenses based on your daily driving. Smaller cars usually have higher miles per gallon (MPG), which is good for your wallet. Check out the cars with great gas mileage. 
3. Maintenance: regular car service is essential. Consider additional costs to cover regular car maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity and not overcome your family budget.
4. Insurance: car insurance prices vary based on the vehicle's model and year, check the insurance rates in advance. Insurance for very similarly priced brands/models can differ significantly.

Vehicle service contracts: when you are buying a used car, its manufacturer warranties may have expired. Carefully review the history report to understand what expensive parts are to be changed shortly according to reglament. Also, some cars may have rarer parts, potentially leading to difficulties with supply, or higher replacement costs.

To find the right vehicle within your budget and to avoid overpaying, begin by listing the features you need.

• Consider your preferences and requirements. Think about factors like the make, year, primary use of the vehicle, size preference (small car, SUV, truck), passenger capacity, and desired options. For instance, Missouri's most popular car brands include Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota. 
• Identify must-have features such as engine type, drivetrain, interior material, entertainment system, etc. For example, for novice drivers, FWD models offer a balance of good performance and cost-effective ownership. RWD cars, commonly found in sports models, cater to those who enjoy high speeds and aggressive driving. 
• Clarify some details. AWD vehicles are the optimal choice for off-road adventures. The size of the engine impacts how fast the car can accelerate, its towing ability, and fuel efficiency. Cars offering more powerful engines tend to cost more. The traditional manual transmission provides more control over revs, speed, and fuel consumption, while the automatic is convenient and economical for city driving, especially in traffic jams.
• Prioritize safety options. They depend on the age, equipment, and class of the car. Older cars may have a limited number of safety systems. In contrast, modern cars are technologically advanced and equipped with stability control, emergency braking, ABS traction control, hill start assist, and a wide range of airbags. Some of the technological advancements, like road-line assistants, can be easily dismissed.

List your favorite brands and models. Search for a particular make and model generation based on body type or within a specific price range. Then, organize the results according to price, mileage, and model year to find the right match for you.

Check out our online inventory

You may choose between purchasing from a dealership or an individual seller. Choosing a dealership like Clement Pre-Owned offers several benefits:

• The buying process is simplified. You eliminate the hassle of paperwork, and get advantageous financing options. 
• Dealerships offer a wider selection of models, professional advice from sales consultants, and certain used car guarantees;
• You get the convenience of access to the vehicle, transportation, and an external inspection by technicians, which provides additional assurance;
• You can exchange your old car for a new one, even if you have not fully repaid the previous loan. Read more about how to sell a financed car.

Whether it's an individual seller, a branded car dealership, or an independent dealer focused on used car sales, all of them are intermediaries. In addition to technical details, key points to clarify include:

• Car’s age and condition;
• Accident history;
• Number of owners;
• Liens and maintenance history;
• Check the lists of recalled cars
• And the previous owner’s location - to compare it with the nearest floating areas

You should be very careful when communicating with a private seller, as some of them may try to hide information about accidents, significant problems, or actual mileage. If the information obtained does not allow you to make a purchase decision, organizing a professional pre-sale inspection is recommended, especially for cars purchased from a private party. When you are buying a used car from a reliable car dealership, like Clement Pre-Owned, you can get a full history report for free.

You can use online platforms such as Kelley Blue Book and Carfax to explore a fair price for the vehicle you want to buy. These tools provide valuable information about a car's market value and history to help you make an informed decision. 

Before buying a used car, inspect it thoroughly and test-drive it to ensure it meets your expectations. Drive the car on different roads at various speeds to evaluate acceleration, braking, and cornering to make sure it performs to your satisfaction.

• Inspect only clean vehicles, as even minor dust can hide paintwork defects, affecting resale value. At dealerships, cars are usually clean, and managers can show all the restored items and check the paint thinkes for each of the elements with you.
• Check license plates and/or VIN for fines, accidents, title, insurance, and mileage. Note potential problems such as liens, loans, arrests, and wanted or stolen items. You can do this work yourself, or hire a professional. Dealerships prioritize proper registration, which protects from legal complications.
• For security purposes, avoid cash payments. Dealerships conduct sales contract with bank accounts, which ensures the security of transactions.

Buying a used car from a private seller is always a risk. Buying a used car in a car dealership is:

• Convenient;
• Transparent and safe;
• Has exchange guaranties;
• Hassle-free.

Come to Clement Pre-Owned dealership to put all the ticks in your used car buying checklist and drive home behind the wheel of your new vehicle with a peace-of-mind guarantee.