Used Car Search: Tips to Start Your Search Online

Although most car buyers will make an official vehicle purchase locally, most of our shopping and research is done online. After all, it’s easy to find, research and compare vehicles, all from the comfort of our own homes. With high gas prices, don’t waste a trip to look at a car until you’re sure!

When looking for used cars online, you’ll find a number of websites, software programs, and smartphone apps that allow you to search using a keyword phrase instead of selecting a specific make and model. If you are looking for a particular make, such as Ford, but have no model preference, the ability to use a generic search phrase is recommended. Even if you’re shopping on a tight budget; You’re just looking for a car (any make and model) that you can afford.

As for that search phrase, it is recommended that you take into account the type of used because you would like to buy. Using the example above, a search for “Ford” can produce a wide range of Ford vehicles, including cars, trucks, minivans, etc. A search for “Ford Focus” will produce more relevant results. If you have a specific make and model, search with it.

As mentioned above, those shopping for a car on a tight budget may not have a specific make and model in mind; they just want a vehicle they can afford. When doing a Google search, you can add “cheap cars for sale.” On actual classified sites or car buying sites, don’t do this. Instead, use the phrase “car”, “van”, “truck”, etc. Yes, your goal is a cheap used car, but actually adding the word cheap will skew your results.

Another search filter or feature that you will commonly find on most car buying sites or car search apps is the ability to set a price range. Do this! If you’re shopping on a budget and use a generic search phrase, like “cars,” you’ll see ALL cars for sale in your area that meet your search criteria. This means you’ll have the largest selection of vehicles (regardless of make and model) that you can afford.

A good website will allow you to enter your zip code and then select a radius to search. For example, if your search radius is set to 25 miles, you will only see vehicles within a 25-mile radius of your ZIP code. Feel free to play around with this distance. Yes, it would be nice to search for local cars for sale within 25 miles of your home. However, you’ll get the largest selection of vehicles and more pricing options when you expand your radius. Take advantage of email or phone calls to contact sellers beforehand; determine if it is worth taking the time to drive and view the vehicle.

It is also common to see some additional search filters on smartphone car search apps and car buying sites. For example, you can enter a minimum and maximum year, select a color, etc. If you have a specific want or need in mind, activate these filters. Your results will be specific, which means you’ll see vehicles that fit all of your search criteria. Please note that you will see limited results.