The most common mistakes when buying used vehicles and how to avoid them
28 Apr 2025
The most common mistakes when buying used vehicles and how to avoid them
🚗 Introduction
Buying a second-hand car can be a great decision… or a nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing. From hidden problems to incomplete paperwork, there are many mistakes that can cost you time, money, or even put your safety at risk.
In this article, we go over the most common mistakes when buying a used vehicle and how to avoid them. Whether you are a buyer or a dealer, this guide will help you make safer, more transparent, and effective transactions.
🔍 1. Not checking the vehicle history
One of the most common mistakes is relying solely on what the seller says.
The history can reveal:
Actual mileage.
If it has had accidents or structural damage.
Outstanding debts or liens.
Number of previous owners.
💡 How to avoid it:
Request the DGT report or use professional platforms to check the vehicle history. At Dealcar, we integrate this information directly into the car's listing for greater transparency.
📋 2. Not signing a detailed sales contract
Many transactions between individuals are concluded with a simple "verbal agreement," which does not offer any legal guarantee.
💡 How to avoid it:
The contract should include:
Complete details of the buyer and seller.
Technical information of the vehicle.
Price and payment method.
Liability statement.
Dealers using Dealcar can generate these contracts automatically and keep them digitally archived.
🧾 3. Not checking if the vehicle has outstanding debts or fines
Buying a car with debts (leasing, ownership reserve, liens) can cause you many problems. The same goes for having unpaid fines.
💡 How to avoid it:
Check the traffic report or verify the administrative status on official platforms.
At Dealcar, we automatically alert if a vehicle has active legal or economic issues.
🧪 4. Not having a mechanical inspection before the purchase
Even if the car looks good from the outside, it may have issues with the engine, brakes, transmission, or electronics that are not visible at first glance.
💡 How to avoid it:
Test drive the car and request a technical inspection from an independent workshop.
Many professional dealers already offer inspected and certified vehicles, and at Dealcar you can mark these attributes to give more confidence to the buyer.
⏱️ 5. Making impulsive decisions or not comparing options
Buying a car without comparing models, prices, or similar conditions can make you lose money or lead you to make a poor choice.
💡 How to avoid it:
Use online tools to compare vehicles. At Dealcar, we offer internal search engines with advanced filters that help find the best option quickly.
💳 6. Not verifying the payment process and title transfer
Not being clear on how the payment is made or if the title transfer is properly processed can lead to subsequent legal conflicts.
💡 How to avoid it:
Make payments through secure means and demand receipts.
In transactions between individuals, ensure that the title transfer is processed with the DGT.
Dealers operating with Dealcar can automate these steps through Dealcar Pay, integrating payments, contract signing, and documentation from a single platform.
🛑 7. Not checking the warranty (if there is one)
Many buyers think they do not have the right to make a claim. However, in transactions with dealers, there is a mandatory legal warranty.
💡 How to avoid it:
Ask about the warranty offered and what exactly it covers.
With Dealcar, you can document and customize the warranty associated with each car sold, strengthening trust with the customer.
🧭 Conclusion: Buying safely is indeed possible
Avoiding these common mistakes can make the difference between a good purchase and a disaster. Whether you are a buyer or a dealer, the key is to get informed, verify, and use digital tools that facilitate a safer and more professional process.
✅ If you are a dealer, Dealcar helps you digitalize the entire operation: from the initial lead, the documentation, the follow-up, to the sale and after-sales.
