Review Car

Where can I find used cars ratings?

Buying a used vehicle can be challenging. When you purchase a new vehicle, you are concerned with the style and various ratings the make and model received. When purchasing a used vehicle, these concerns are coupled with other factors such as how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle and if the vehicle is priced at a fair rate considering its condition and mileage.

A great starting point for finding and reviewing a used car you will love isreviewing the ratings it received and comparing those ratings against other makes and models in the class. Then you can easily shop for auto insurance rates online by entering your ZIP code into an online car insurance rate comparison site for FREE. So where can you find used car ratings?

Rated By Class

Before spending too much time searching for used car ratings, it is important to understand how vehicles are rated. There are numerous agencies, organizations and even auto industry media sources that publish their own ratings of vehicles. In most cases, they break up their ratings by vehicle class. This allows vehicles to more easily and accurately be compared against other similar models. It also makes it easier for you, as a consumer, to review and analyze the ratings. Some of the many classes you may find include:

• Compact Cars
• Hatchbacks or Wagons
• Midsize Sedans
• Luxury Midsize Sedans
• Large Sedans
• Luxury Sedans
• Domestic Sports Cars
• Imported Sports Cars

Factors Reviewed for Ratings

Once vehicles have been categorized into the right class, the organizations, agencies or other third parties who rate vehicles then review each vehicle based on a multitude of criteria. The criteria will vary depending on who is rating the vehicle. In general, you may find ratings based on:

• Performance
• Interior
• Exterior
• Overall Quality
• Safety
• Reliability

Where to Look for Ratings

Because several different companies, organizations and agencies provide ratings on vehicles, searching online for the specific ratings you are interested in is a great idea. Ratings are determined by vehicle class as well as the model year. Because of this, it is important to have a fairly good idea about the type of vehicle you want before you start reviewing ratings.

For instance, if you want a late model midsize sedan, you can view ratings for midsize sedans for the years 2009 through 2012. You do not have to know the make and model you want to buy necessarily, but it is helpful to narrow the scope of your search by model year and vehicle class.

Using Ratings to Make a Buying Decision

Used car ratings are an important aspect to consider when buying a vehicle, but they are not the only factor to consider. These ratings can help you to best determine which vehicle may be a better buy and may be more enjoyable for you to drive on a regular basis. Keep in mind, however, that these ratings typically are ratings of the vehicle when it was in new condition.

When reviewing new car ratings, factors like durability and cost of ownership when repairs are taken into account are not considered. While it is important to read and compare ratings, it is also important to consider other factors before you decide which model to buy.

Other Factors to Consider Before You Buy

So what other factors should you consider before you buy a vehicle? There are several to consider, and these include:

• Overall functionality for your needs
• The style of the vehicle
• Fuel efficiency
• The condition of the used car
• The mileage compared to the asking price
• How well the vehicle has been maintained
• If the vehicle is in need of any maintenance or repairs currently

When to Search for Ratings

The steps to buying a used car can be confusing. Between shopping for auto insurance rates, getting prequalified for an auto loan, test driving vehicles and more, there doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut point in time when you should search for ratings. The fact is that searching for and reviewing ratings should be done fairly early on in the car buying process. This is a step that may help you to decide which make and model to buy.

Once you have decided you want to purchase a used vehicle and have a good idea about what vehicle class and model year you want to buy, then hop online to review and compare ratings. You can pick a few of the top makes and models in your vehicle class to look at when viewing online listings or shopping in person.

Finding the Right Car Insurance

Used car ratings can be very helpful to a car buyer. They can help you to determine which vehicle models may be a better buy for you. However, they are not the only factor to consider. Take time to review ratings fairly early on in the car shopping process.

Once you have found a great vehicle you want to buy, then hop online to compare auto insurance rates. You can enter your ZIP code into a FREE auto insurance comparison site to get several rate quotes with ease. These tips can help you find a great used car you will love to drive.