7 Tips to Buy a Used Car Cheaply

PrivateAuto offers revolutionary tools to help you come out ahead on your vehicle purchase. Browse used cars for sale by owner and see how easy it can be.

Here are some proven methods that will get you the deal of a lifetime on your next set of wheels.

Buying a used car instead of a new one can give you more bang for your buck if you shop smart.

Even though used car prices have come down from their all-time high, they are still quite high, historically-speaking. Still, if you implement all the tips in this article, you can often get far better value by buying used than you could by buying new.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Look for lightly used models that are 2-3 years old
2. Have a mechanic inspect before purchasing
3. Negotiate a lower price
4. Pay cash (digitally, of course, with PrivateAuto Pay) if you can
5. Consider liability-only insurance to save money

Many people believe that buying a used car from a dealer will save them money. Actually, going to a dealer is more expensive.


When you buy a used car from a private seller on PrivateAuto, you avoid the doc fee and get a better deal.

We admit that buying from a dealer provides a level of convenience that is not typically available when buying from a private seller. That is, after all, why we exist. PrivateAuto gives you dealer-like convenience while also allowing you to transact with regular people like yourself.

PrivateAuto is the only automotive marketplace that allows buyers to make an offer on private-party used vehicles for sale. The seller can then accept your offer, make a counteroffer, or reject it outright.

Having the ability to negotiate on price directly with sellers gives PrivateAuto buyers more leverage to obtain a lower sales price. By casting a wide net with multiple offers across similar vehicles, you're more likely to get at least one accepted. PrivateAuto's offer feature makes no-haggle used car shopping easier.

Paying cash for a used car can save you a bundle—if you can swing it. Financing a car can add thousands in interest over the life of the loan.

Paying with physical cash is inconvenient and potential unsafe, however. Good thing there’s a better way.

Physical cash can be a bit sketchy, though, especially where large sums are involved. If you're a cash buyer, meetups with strangers can feel unsafe when thousands of dollars are involved. And how do you verify the legitimacy of the bills?

Here are some drawbacks to cash transactions:

PrivateAuto Pay allows you to pay cash—digitally. Actual dollars from your account to the seller’s, instantly.

No security worries, no counterfeit concerns, no transfer fees, and no limitations on transaction size. Just a few taps and you can pay up to seven figures instantly and securely.

PrivateAuto Pay keeps what's best about cash and pairs it with 21st century convenience and security. Out with stacks of grubby bills, in with smooth digital payments.

If you don’t have $45,000 sitting around to buy that Toyota Tundra, we understand. Sometimes you need to finance a car purchase.

PrivateAuto offers integrated auto financing. This is hugely convenient, because you don’t need to coordinate financing between a third-party lender and the seller. It all happens in the PrivateAuto app.

After a credit score check and approval, qualified buyers can have funds transferred into their PrivateAuto Pay account via a balance transfer between financial institutions.

Once financing is secured, you can instantly send money from your PrivateAuto Pay account to the seller’s PrivateAuto Pay account. There's no need to coordinate with lenders or manage car loan paperwork.

If you’re in the market, feel free to get started with car financing here!

Properly timing your private party car purchase takes research, preparation, and strategy. But shopping when the car market is in a downturn could potentially save you thousands off the typical sales price.

1. If possible, delay your purchase until the car market is in a downturn.
2. Buy on weeknights or bad weather days. Fewer competing buyers improves your negotiation position.

Also, consider seasonality, vehicle type, and geography when timing your purchase. Here are some potential examples of timing these factors:

1. AWD/4WD vehicles in mountain regions. Prices are often lower in summer when there is less demand compared to winter months.
2. Convertibles in cold weather climates. The best deals on convertibles are in colder months, when demand drops.
3. Pickup trucks in the Midwest and South. Prices could dip in winter due to lower demand for trucks during farming off-season.
4. Sports cars in the northern states. The end of summer may have good deals, as enthusiasts are less likely to buy in winter.
5. SUVs and minivans near schools. Late summer is ideal, as parents have already purchased family vehicles for the school year.
6. Gas guzzlers when fuel prices rise. Lower demand for large SUVs and trucks when gas is expensive, so prices drop.
7. Electric/hybrids when gas prices drop. Higher efficiency models are less in-demand when fuel is cheap.

You want a vehicle that will hold its value well into the future while still having an affordable pricepoint. Here are some of the top used cars known for combining durability, affordability, and good resale value:


The key is looking for mainstream models from brands like Toyota, Honda, and Subaru that are well-built, economical to own, and stay in high demand in the used market.

There are many places to buy a car, but most of them don't give you the transactional features to get the deal done safely, securely, and inexpensively like PrivateAuto does.

Here are some popular sites:


There are tons of platforms for buying used cars online these days. But most don't provide the transactional tools to actually complete deals safely, securely, and affordably. As you choose where to shop, consider key factors like payments, protection, and convenience. PrivateAuto stands above competitors by offering unique benefits.

PrivateAuto is the only transactional marketplace that offers safe, instantaneous, convenient, and contactless payments. It’s as easy as Venmo—but it works for payments up to $1M.
When it comes to buying and paying for your car, the benefits of PrivateAuto Pay include.


Private Auto allows you to purchase a vehicle quickly, safely, and easily from a private seller. Protect yourself by choosing a secure, instantaneous, and convenient online platform.

Found your dream used car somewhere else? Use our DealNow feature to fast-track a transaction with our infrastructure, even if you met the seller on another platform like CarGurus.

DealNow uses PrivateAuto Pay for payments and offers all the same conveniences, along with a fast-tracked deal flow. It not only bypasses the shopping, messaging, and negotiation steps, but it also saves money by eliminating the need for an escrow service.

When you meet the seller to close the deal, they will transfer the title to you. You’ll then need to complete the title transfer process at the DMV (or your state’s equivalent agency).

A bill of sale is required in some states, but it is a good idea to sign one regardless, as it gives you written evidence of the transaction and the agreed-upon sale amount in case there’s a dispute later on.

PrivateAuto automates the bill of sale by giving you an official bill of sale for your state. You and the seller sign it inside their PrivateAuto mobile app, and it stays there in your account for reference. If there’s ever a question about the sale’s legitimacy, you have this document to back you up.

If you want to learn more about vehicle titles, check out our detailed car title guide.

In most states, you will need to register and transfer the title to a vehicle at the same time. This is because the registration process is what officially establishes you as the owner of the vehicle.

The specific requirements for registering a vehicle vary from state to state, but here are some general items that you will need to provide:

Here’s the PrivateAuto process, and how we make buying a used car easy.

1. Browse used cars for sale on PrivateAuto.
2. Make offers on cars you like (PrivateAuto is one of the only platforms that allows you to offer what you're willing to pay).
3. Message the owner and schedule a test drive without ever giving out your contact info.
4. Meet up, inspect the car, and sign documents with the owner.
5. Send funds instantly.
6. Drive away with your new-to-you car.
7. Complete the title transfer and registration at your local DMV.

Looking to sell your car? Create a listing on PrivateAuto and connect with interested buyers today!

Want to sell your car? Create a listing on PrivateAuto and connect with interested buyers today!