Buying & Owning a Car in Delaware
Learn about how to buying, owning, and repaining a car in Delaware.
Buying A New Car
A new car is second only to a home as the most expensive purchase many consumers make. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average price of a new car sold in the United States is $30,000. That’s why it’s important to know how to make a smart deal.
La compra de un auto nuevo es una de las compras de mayor costo de muchos consumidores y es solamente superada por la compra de una vivienda. De acuerdo a los datos suministrados por la Asociación Nacional de Concesionarios de Automóviles (National Automibile Dealers Association), en Estados Unidos el precio promedio de un auto nuevo es de $30,000 Por esta razón, es importante saber cómo hacer un buen negocio.
Buying A Used Car
Before you start shopping for a car, you'll need to do some homework. Spending time now may save you serious money later. Think about your driving habits, your needs, and your budget. You can learn about car models, options, and prices by reading newspaper ads, both display and classified. There is a wealth of information about used cars on the Internet: enter "used car" as the key words and you'll find additional information on how to buy a used car, detailed instructions for conducting a pre-purchase inspection, and ads for cars available for sale, among other information. Libraries and book stores also have publications that compare car models, options, and costs, and offer information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage. Many of these publications have details on the do's and don'ts of buying a used car.
Car Ads: Reading Between the lines
Many new car dealers advertise unusually low interest rates and other special promotions. Ads promising high trade-in allowances and free or low-cost options may help you shop, but finding the best deal requires careful comparisons.
Auto Service Contracts
You also may be encouraged to buy an auto service contract to help protect against unexpected, costly repairs. While it may sound like a good idea, don't buy in until you understand both the terms of the contract and who is responsible for providing the coverage.
Taking The Scare Out Of Auto Repair
The best way to avoid auto repair rip-offs is to be prepared. Knowing how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems is a good beginning. It's also important to know how to select a good technician, the kinds of questions to ask, and your consumer rights.
Contributed by: Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General, State of Delaware
Last Reviewed: 1/19/24
