{"id":1041,"date":"2021-04-23T15:03:09","date_gmt":"2021-04-23T22:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/?p=1041"},"modified":"2021-08-02T08:09:09","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T15:09:09","slug":"buying-used-car-utah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/buying-used-car-utah\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know When Buying a Used Car in Utah"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Buying a used car is often thought of as a stressful experience, but it doesn\u2019t have to be. In fact, buying a used car in Utah is sometimes described as one of the more laid-back states for this life event, with lots of trusted dealerships and a large market of private sellers looking to sell their vehicles. Here\u2019s our guide to the most important basics you should know when buying a used car in Utah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dealership or Private Seller?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When buying a used car in Utah, one of the first decisions you\u2019ll have to make is whether to buy from a dealership or a private seller. There\u2019s really no clear-cut answer that applies to everyone, as each option comes with its own pros and cons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to go with a private seller, you\u2019re likely to pay a little bit less on the sale price. Private sellers don\u2019t have the overheads to cover that dealerships do, and they\u2019re often more motivated to sell quickly, so they\u2019ll price their used vehicles lower. But buying from a private seller comes with its risks, as they\u2019re not required to provide all of the inspections and licensing that law requires from dealerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dealerships, on the other hand, are more likely to have a wide selection of vehicles for you to choose from, test drive, and explore. Sure, you\u2019ll be paying a bit more for the sales price, but you\u2019re taking a bit less risk. A used car dealership is more likely to share details about the car\u2019s history, including whether it\u2019s been salvaged, inspected, and properly repaired. That said, not all dealerships are the same. Some use less honest practices than others, so always check reviews. Generally, we recommend going to name-brand dealerships and asking about their stock of used vehicles. Some of the smaller local dealerships may be just as good and have great prices, but it can be more difficult to tell the good from the bad when buying a used car in Utah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, whether to buy from a dealership or private seller is a personal decision that depends on a range of factors that are unique to you. Use your best judgement when making your decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspecting the Vehicle Before Buying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a rule that applies when buying a used car in Utah or anywhere else in the world\u2014 always, always<\/em> personally inspect and try out the vehicle before you buy. While there are more options than ever for buying cars online, this also means that it\u2019s easier for people to hide issues with the vehicle that aren\u2019t apparent until you inspect it in person. You have a right to know about a car\u2019s condition, its history, repairs, inspections, and service history. You also have a right to know whether it\u2019s been in any accidents, whether it\u2019s been totalled and salvaged, and more. Buying a vehicle without knowing any of this information\u2014 or even knowing whether it runs properly\u2014 is a huge risk and not worth the advantage of a smooth, fast sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re buying your vehicle at a distance and seeing it in person first is not an option, then at the very least you should hire a third-party independent party to have it inspected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, it\u2019s really best to take the vehicle for a test-drive first yourself before agreeing to buy\u2014 and having the vehicle inspected by someone you trust to make sure it\u2019s in good condition and in the condition that the seller is presenting to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special Weather Considerations for Buying a Used Car in Utah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Utah experiences prolonged periods of cold weather during the winter months. Cold weather and snow can have a significant effect on a range of the car\u2019s components, from its battery to the engine, lubricants, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When shopping for a used car, ask about how much it has been used in cold weather, and whether it was stored indoors. Things like this can help mitigate the long-term effects of using and driving a vehicle in cold weather, and may mean that the vehicle you\u2019re buying will give you a longer lifespan than one that hasn\u2019t been properly cared for given the cold weather conditions in Utah. While you can\u2019t account for every effect of cold weather when buying a used car in Utah, it\u2019s best to be as cautious and thorough as possible when assessing the vehicle\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utah Sales Tax and Fees for Used Cars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you probably already know, the agreed-for sale price and the full cost of buying a used car in Utah won\u2019t be exactly the same. After the sale price, you\u2019re also looking at taxes and some fees to get the vehicle registered, inspected, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to tax, you\u2019ll have to contend with the state sales tax of 6.85% for purchasing a vehicle. Fortunately, this tax has a maximum amount of $900 for a vehicle. This tax is applicable whether you buy from a dealership or a private seller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you buy from a dealership, they may have some fees of their own. This includes a documentation fee, which averages $305 in Utah. That said, this fee is determined by the dealership and will range from one dealership to the next depending on what they set it as.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, there are other fees associated with purchasing a used car in Utah. These may be small on their own, but they can add up. They might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n