If you’ve recently purchased a pre-owned vehicle, there’s absolutely no doubt that you’re thrilled with your new ride; used cars are often much cheaper and can provide the same level of pride as a brand new car.
But even so, before you can start cruising around in your car, there are a few crucial things you’ll need to do first.
Purchase An Extended Warranty
Because your vehicle is pre-owned, the manufacturer’s warranty has likely worn off. Unfortunately, this leaves your pocket exposed to the high costs of major services, part replacements, and extensive repairs.
But fortunately, you can buy an extended warranty to safeguard your finances and keep your used car in excellent condition. These service contracts are exceptionally beneficial for drivers of used vehicles.
So, be sure to buy an extended warranty for cars over 100k miles as soon as possible.
Book Your Car In For A Service
Whether you’ve purchased the vehicle from a private seller or a reputable auto dealership, it’s crucial to book your car for a maintenance service immediately.
Instead of assuming the vehicle is in good condition, a maintenance service will bring you a lot more peace of mind. During this service, the brake system will be checked, the oil changed, and the filters will be cleaned or replaced.
Get Auto Insurance
In most states, it’s legally mandatory for all drivers to have auto insurance, and for a good reason; auto insurance will protect your finances from the costs of collisions and, in some cases, help cover the costs of damages caused by natural disasters. Beyond this, auto insurance will also cover the costs of vehicle theft.
With this, when it comes to finding the right policy, it’s wise to use an insurance comparison platform to gather the best deals. Thereafter, compare the best deals to find a policy that suits your budget and coverage needs.
Transfer Ownership
Next, you’ll need to change the ownership of the vehicle; this must also be done before you can start driving your car. However, if you’re purchasing your vehicle from an accredited auto dealer, this bit will be handled for you.
On the other hand, if you’re buying the car from a private seller, you’ll need to get the RC book and ownership transfer. To transfer ownership, you’ll need to visit the DMV, where the state issues a new title and registration for the vehicle.
Clean The Car
Whether you decide to clean the vehicle yourself or book it in with a professional service, it’s pretty essential to do this before driving the car.
Even if you’re buying your car from a dealership, there might be some leftover personal items or dirt in hard-to-see places; the dealership will only really worry about cleaning the vehicle for show purposes. Moreover, because the car belonged to someone else, a thorough clean is well worth the effort or price.
Now that you’ve handled these essential things, you can confidently start driving your used vehicle. But even so, it’s still important to prioritize routine maintenance checks to keep your car in good condition.
