Purchasing a used car comes with a lot of challenges. From determining the authenticity, condition, to getting a car loan—buying a used car comes with several challenges. Thus, you can quickly get things wrong.
However, if you are planning to shop for a used car, and you feel overwhelmed, don’t fret. The following tips have been sampled from an expert. They will help you refinance your used car in style. Follow them and land your dream used car.
Credit Score
The first step should be to know your credit rating. So, don’t rush into getting a car loan before knowing your credit score. Having this prior knowledge will help you evaluate your eligibility. Also, you will have a chance to correct any errors. Even more, you can improve it and get loans with favorable terms. So, check your credit score. Ensure that it’s accurate. From here, go and apply for your car loan. For more information regarding car financing, click here.
Compare Quotes
Of course, there are numerous credit facilities online. However, this doesn’t mean picking the first option you come across. Consider doing your homework. Have at least ten possibilities. Then compare the quotes. Look at the interest rates. Consider the repayment period. The bottom line is to get a loan with the best possible terms.
Keep the Term Short
Of course, it’s tempting to go for loans that offer long repayment periods. However, this can be counterproductive. The best thing to do is to limit the term. Well, you will be paying more every month. But you will end up paying less in the long run. So, consider repaying your loan faster—it will result in less interest.
Increase Down Payment
Consider putting up a down payment of at least 20 percent of the car price. According to experts, putting up more down payment will decrease the interest rates and reduce the fees.
Additional Fees Should Be Paid In Cash
Consider putting other fees with cash. Things like dealership and documentation fees should be paid in cash. Also, the sales tax should be in terms of money. Don’t roll them into the loan.
It will increase the interest rate and make the loan more expensive. Of course, dealers will advise you to roll out these fees into that loan of yours. But the truth is that they are after your money. They want to get the most out of your investment. So, go the cash way.
Additional Tips
Car financing isn’t that easy. Follow the following other tips and get a loan that fits into your specific needs.
- Go for non-recourse loans
- Time well and take a mortgage when the economy is doing well
- Younger people should get co-signers
- Avoid late repayments
A non-recourse loan restricts the borrower’s assets that a lending company or bank can pursue when recovering the loan amount in case of loan default. It means that the lender can’t go after your assets, like your personal accounts, to recover the total loan amount.
Also, avoiding late repayments means not paying for extra fees that can be enormous in amount, if you’ll compute it for the long-term. On the other hand, getting a co-signer when you’re younger can help get your loan approved faster. Taking a mortgage when the economy is good provides you with better financing options.
These steps you must follow to finance your used car:
1. Analyze your current financial situation
If you are heavily indebted, it is best not to finance a car. Also, you must balance your budget and give higher priority to your basic needs.
Automobiles are currently used to fill the need for personal transportation and to improve business logistics. If you need a vehicle, you can opt for financing.
If you have a good amount of personal savings, you can put in a higher down payment. In this way, the remaining balance for financing is more manageable to pay for the number of years you’re willing to take. It’s better to take a shorter amount of time to pay your car loan for a lower overall interest.
2. Choose the vehicle that is most suitable for you
You have the option of financing a new or used car, but everything will depend on your purchasing power and financial availability.
As for the design and brands of vehicles, you can find a wide variety. You may be interested in a bus, Pick UP, or SUV, it depends directly on your transportation needs.
However, another problem you might encounter is difficulty in searching for the best second-hand car. You can visit all local dealerships near you, but you might still not get satisfied with the vehicles they have to offer. In this case, you could also check out repossessed cars in like-new and good-running condition online, such as crankyape.com and similar car-for-auction platforms.
3. Choose the credit options
In the financial market, you can find two options for you to finance your vehicle.
4. Direct loan
You can apply for direct investment in a bank or a financial company. If this type of financing is the one you choose, remember that you must pay the total amount of the loan plus interest in a period determined by the credit institution.
The total money you have borrowed will be needed to buy the new or used car in cash from a dealer.
Direct loans give you the advantage of being able to quote on various financing companies so that you can choose the most convenient option.
5. Financing of a dealer
That is one of the most traditional investments when buying a car on credit.
When obtaining financing from a dealer, a sales contract is signed. This document stipulates the interest and fees to be paid on specific dates.
In some cases, payments are made to an assignee. That may be a bank or a financial company, and they are responsible for receiving the money from the installments established by the dealer.
6. Main advantages of financing a car at a dealership
- Convenience: dealerships offer a wide variety of new or used vehicles, and have open hours for their customers.
- Various financing options: some dealers offer the availability that the client pays the installments in banks or other assignee financial companies.
- Special offers beneficial to the client: dealers provide an interest rate discount according to the brand or type of vehicle for sale.
It should also be noted that if the customer makes a high initial payment, the dealers may charge a lower interest rate, or if the time to pay for the car is reduced, for example, 12 – 24 or 36 months, the dealers can provide a preferential customer interest.
7. Go to a dealer to finance your new or used vehicle
Most dealerships have a department in charge of auto financing.
Generally, the vehicle credit application requires the following information:
- Your full name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Your current address
- Name of your current employer and previous employers
- Amount of time you have worked in each job
- Current occupation
- The main source of income
- Total monthly income
- Recent financial information on your credit cards and other debts that you have pending.
Remember that national tax laws regulate the credit sale contracts of a vehicle, therefore, you must be extremely responsible when acquiring your financed vehicle.
The Bottom-Line
Don’t let the idea of financing your used car pin you down. Of course, the process is quite complicated. It demands a lot of cars and energy. However, you can do it and purchase your dream used cat. The above tips are all you require to finance your ideal used car loan.
