Used Car Valuation Guide.

Its easy to pay too much for a second hand car if you don't stop and consider whether the car you have your heart set on is really worth the asking price. A used car might look like a great deal, but if it is over-priced you could be taken advantage of. These are some hints and tip you might find useful as you scour the used car market for a great deal.

1. Research, research, research.

The secret is to thoroughly research a variety of car that you find appealing. The first thing you need to find out is how much it costs to buy a brand new version of that car from a dealership. The car may no longer be produced and that might mean its hard to source replacement parts; you should check this. You'll have to get out there, or jump online, and find similar cars for sale so you can compare the prices. If the price of the car you want to buy seems to good to be true when compared to similar cars, chances are it is. The car might not be worth the time, effort and money you would have to outlay in the long term if something went wrong. If the car is substantially more expensive than the competition, ask the seller why this is the case.

2. The Value of a Car Decreases as it Ages.

New cars lose their value rapidly; a 3 year old car is 30% less valuable than it was when it was first purchased and after 5 years its value may have declined by a further 35% from the original purchase price. Using the price you researched in step 1, you can use these figures as a rough guide to estimate the value of a used car.

3. Get Some Professional Help from a Third-Party Service.

Check out the history of your chosen vehicle with Car Fax. You can use Car Fax to find detailed descriptions and information about the used car you're looking to buy. They offer information including data from insurance companies and statistics about safety and accidents.

If you need a comprehensive list of used car values, take a look at Kelly Blue Book. Check them out if you want access to a list of sale values for heaps of used cars from all over the place.

4. Take a Car Enthusiast of Mechanic to Inspect.

Of course the value of a used car has a lot to do with is condition and how well it runs. You might love the look of the car, but if you don't know how to inspect the mechanical aspects of it, you will probably need to take a mechanic with you to check that the car is running in an appropriate condition. Be careful, because there are those out there who will try and convince you to buy a car that isn't in working order. Be vigilant and, most importantly, don't deal with shady sellers. A dealer with a solid reputation is likely to give you the best service. Lastly, listen to the experiences of acquaintances or colleagues to see if you can find a suitable dealer.