There's no lack of used car dealerships in Seattle to choose from. Before you head out to drive up and down Aurora Avenue or Lake City Way looking for the right one for you, you need to know how to find the best, most reliable used vehicle you can for your bad credit situation.
Used Cars Can Be a Good Choice
When you have bad credit, a new car is sometimes going to be out of reach. That's okay, though, because vehicles these days can really hold their value thanks to advances in car technology. Plus, with a huge influx of recent lease turn-ins returning to dealer lots, you should be able to find a selection of used vehicles with a lot of the latest technology and safety features – without the new car sticker shock.
When you're shopping for a used vehicle in the Seattle area, make sure you have all the right paperwork ready, and know what to look for in a used car:
Research vehicles you're interested in. Check out used car prices from a variety of dealerships and check the vehicle at an online valuation site such as Kelley Blue Book or NADAguides. Be sure to check consumer ratings and see what current and former owners like and dislike about the cars, look up their safety ratings, and see how many of these models are sitting at dealer lots.- Make sure the vehicles you're interested in hold their value. If you're considering a car that's three years old, but is known to need major repairs before it hits five years on the road, beware. Don't forget to get a VIN check for free from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. On paid sites such as CarFax, you can not only check for open recalls and past parts replacements, you can also check for accidents and view odometer readings at various service and registration intervals.
- Fuel efficiency is a good trait in a used vehicle. This is especially true when you live in a state like Washington, where you're likely to do a bit more driving. Having an eco-friendly used car that sips gas can be an ideal fit, but so can electric options if you do most of your driving in and around the city. Make sure you consider all options, and weigh the pros and cons of each.
- Stick to your budget. An affordable used vehicle doesn't do you much good if it's not affordable in the long run. Used car prices can be negotiated, so your research should come in handy when it comes to sticking to a price point. Remember, balance is the key in used vehicle shopping. You don't want to pay too much, and you don't want to stretch your loan term too long, either.
We Know Where to Go
If you're having trouble knowing where to go for the best used car dealerships in Seattle for bad credit, let us help! Auto Credit Express has been connecting credit-challenged consumers with dealers who can help for over 20 years!
We work with a large network of special finance dealerships in Seattle and the surrounding area that have the lending resources to help people who have no credit, bad credit, and even bankruptcy. The process is free and easy, so what are you waiting for? Just fill out our auto loan request form now to get started.
