Buying a car is always a daunting task. There are so many things to consider, especially when you contemplate purchasing a used car. No matter what the dealership calls their used cars, all of the names mean that the car comes with wear and miles already built into it.

These are probably two of the most important aspects to deliberate when you are looking at a pre-owned vehicle. It is not likely that you will want to get a car with a mileage that is more than half of the car’s life expectance. Wear is a little harder to judge; some of the problems are only apparent after you have driven the car for a while.

Conduct some research before you start your hunt. Decide what type of car you want, how many miles are acceptable, and how much you want to pay. Typically, the saving that come with buying used amounts to thousands of dollars. A new car depreciates, or losses value, as soon as you drive it off of the lot; part of what you are paying for is the newness of it.

A vehicle that is only a year or two older will cost you far less. Cars that are leased tend to move from the first lease to the used car lot. These should be considered because they have probably been monitored more closely for this phase of the car’s life. Financing may also be a problem in today’s economy, so make sure to research financial options for used cars before you make a final determination or purchase.

Dealers now offer a special type of designation with many of their used cars called certified pre-owned. Vehicles classified as certified pre-owned are usually less than three years old and under a certain number of miles. They have gone through thorough testing and inspection to ensure they meet specifications to receive the classification. Many of these cars are backed by a warranty, typically from the manufacturer, with the option to extend the warranty when the car reaches either a certain age or a specified number of miles, whichever comes first.