While everyone can get tempted a time or two to purchase a brand-new car, if you typically purchase used cars, then you likely know that they can be much better deals. As soon as brand-new car is driven off the lot, it can instantly depreciate by 11 percent. This makes buying used cars a better idea for most Americans, whether they are on super-tight budgets or not. 

If you will be shopping for your next used car soon, then read on to learn three benefits of purchasing it from a dealership instead of a private seller. 

1. The Age and Mileage of a Vehicle Don't Predict the Shape It Is in as Accurately as Believed

When many people purchase vehicles from private sellers, they think that there are only two basic factors that determine what kind of shape a vehicle is in -- the age of it and how much mileage is on it. This can lead to many people paying more for older vehicles with few miles on them from private sellers than the vehicles may really be worth. 

The truth is that an older vehicle with few miles on it can actually have less life left in it before it needs extensive repairs than an automobile that is just a few years old and has more mileage on it than the older one. That is because when a car is driven too little over the course of several years, the rubber components in it can actually deteriorate more quickly compared to a car that is driven a lot due to their lack of use. 

In addition, if two vehicles have the same number of miles on them and one was driven mostly on the highway and the other mostly on city streets, the vehicle with the highway mileage on it can be in much better shape than the vehicle with the city miles on it. 

To stay safe and make sure you don't end up with a "dud," purchase your used vehicle from a dealership. All dealerships are required to inspect automobiles before selling them and disclose all vehicle problems to shoppers. Private sellers often don't disclose these problems because they are not governed by strict regulations like used car dealerships are. Dealerships also often offer extended warranties, so you can be sure that if any repairs are soon needed for your vehicle, you won't have to pay for them out-of-pocket. 

2. You May Be Able to Trade in Your Current Vehicle for a Discount off Your Next One

You likely know that used auto dealerships typically offer vehicle financing that you can't get from private vehicle sellers. This can, of course, greatly ease the burden of having to pay a lot of money for your next vehicle all at once. However, many people don't realize that, just like new car dealerships, used car dealerships often allow new buyers to trade in their current vehicles for a great discount off the total price of their next automobiles.

The discount you get off your next vehicle, of course, is based on the value of your current one. However, even if you don't think the vehicle you are currently driving is worth much, you may be surprised when the dealership offers you more than you expected due to the value of your vehicle's parts and/or scrap metal.

If you are purchasing a used car soon, then realize that there are many reasons why purchasing a used car from a dealership is a better idea than purchasing one from a private seller. When you buy your vehicle at dealership, you may get more money for your current vehicle than you expected and you can trust that you won't end up with a "dud" due to the strict regulations that govern used automobile dealerships.  

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