Save Big: Master the Art of Buying Used Cars in Kansas
Buying a car from a private seller can often be a good way to save money and avoid dealership costs, and it allows you to deal directly with the person who owns the car and knows its background. However, buying from a private seller takes a bit more effort than buying from a dealer. This guide will take you through every step of finding, checking, and buying a used car from a private seller in the state of Kansas that you will feel good about driving away in.
We'll show you the best used car marketplaces, provide a comprehensive inspection checklist, discuss negotiating tips, and outline the paperwork that will make your purchase a legal, smooth process.
Where to Find Cars from Private Sellers in Kansas
The process of finding your next car usually starts online. This is one of the benefits of shopping for a used car from a private seller. Popular online marketplaces generally have extensive non-dealer listings, and have enough search features to help narrow down results you like, want, and can afford.
Best Online Marketplaces to Find Used Cars
To get your search started, you will want to use some of these familiar online platforms that are popular with private sellers across the Sunflower State.
Facebook Marketplace: Facebook Marketplace is a large presence in local sales. It's simple to search for cars that are in your geographic area, and you can see the seller's profile to give you a sense of them before you meet. You can also talk to the seller using Messenger to ask a question or set up the meeting.
Craigslist: Craigslist is a popular and longstanding option. It is still a great place for new and used buyers to shop. Set the filter for "by-owner only" so that you can eliminate dealers from the search; this will help you feel more confident that you're buying from a private seller. While you'll be able to find good bargains, always err on the side of safety and meet in public places when working with sellers from unknown sources.
Karkiosk.com: This popular car-buying site is mostly dealer inventory, but they also have options to filter for private seller listings. Their advanced search tools are excellent at helping you narrow down choices by make, model, year, mileage, and specific features.
Local and Specialized Communities
Do not overlook community-specific groups. Car forums (for example, a local VW club or Ford F-150 owners group) and neighborhood apps can be excellent finds. Sellers who are part of these communities usually "love" their cars and are more likely to have maintenance records and a full history of the car's many memories.
How to Properly Inspect a Used Car
Once you have a car that looks promising, the inspection is the most important step. This is your time to see whether the car has a potentially serious problem and to decide if it is worth your money. A thorough inspection can prevent you from spending too much later on repairs.
Before You Go See the Car
Before you go see the car, ask a couple of questions over the phone or through messages to screen the car.
Do you have the Kansas title in hand? Is it a clean title? (A clean title means the car is not branded salvage, rebuilt, or flood damaged).
Why are you selling the car?
Has it ever been in an accident?
Are maintenance records ready to be reviewed?
A seller who is forthcoming and willing to answer those questions is a good sign; evasiveness is not.
The On-Site Inspection Checklist
It is always best to view the car during daylight on a level surface. Consider bringing a companion for an extra set of eyes.
Exterior: Circle it and look for signs of bodywork. Mismatched paint, uneven spacing between panels, and excessive overspray on surrounding trim can be signs. Look for rust. Rust can be found on wheel wells, as well as the bottom of the doors, and even the undercarriage. Rust can become an issue, in part because of how rural Kansas uses road salt and other corrosive products.
Tires: Use the "penny test" to examine the tread depth. Uneven tire wear is usually a good indicator of alignment or suspension issues.
Interior: Make certain to test all of the buttons, levers, and features. You will want to be sure the heater and air conditioning functions work. Also, test the radio or infotainment system, as well as the power windows and locks. Inspect the wear on seats, steering wheel, and pedals. A musty and/or damp smell may indicate a leak.
Under the Hood: You do not have to be a mechanic by any means to inspect for some basic issues. You do want to see if there are visible fluid leaks, up to and including the engine block, or even on the spot that you parked the vehicle. Check the oil dipstick: oil should be brown or black. Milky or foamy oil may indicate major problems.
The Test Drive and Professional Inspection
A car's condition is truly revealed once it is on the road. Your test drive is an opportunity to see how it feels.
What to Look for During the Test Drive
Listen for Noises: Pay attention to anything that sounds out of the ordinary. It’s a warning flag if there is squealing or grinding from the brakes, clunking from the suspension, or whining from the engine.
Evaluate Performance: Does the car accelerate smoothly and without hesitation? Does the transmission engage gears smoothly without jerking or slipping? Driving straight, does the car pull to one side?
Evaluate Brakes: In a safe and open area, apply the brakes firmly. They should feel solid and responsive, not spongy or soft. The car should continue in a straight line when you brake.
Never Skip a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI)
This is the number one best investment you can make in a used car. For about $100-200 an independent mechanic should be able to get the car on a lift and take a thorough exam. They may be able to glean insights into things you can't see, including hidden frame damage, developing leaks, and worn suspension pieces. A PPI either gives you peace of mind or saves you from making a horrible purchase.
Negotiation and Closing the Deal
Now that you know the car passed inspection, you are ready to talk numbers.
Tips for Negotiating Fairly
Know the Value of the Car: Use a resource such as Kelley Blue Book (KBB) or Edmunds to find the private party value for your particular vehicle's year, model, mileage, and condition in your area. Find out what you should have to begin the conversation with the seller, and to have data behind your proposed price.
Utilize the PPI Report: If the mechanic indicated anything, such as needing to put new tires or brake pads on the car, get a repair estimate from them. You can use that as leverage when you're negotiating: "The mechanic mentioned that the tires will need to be replaced soon for about $700. Would you be willing to lower the price a bit to take that into account?"
Provide a Reasonable Offer: Don't come in with what I would judge an insulting offer as an initial offer. Use the research you've done and the condition of the car as the basis for your first offer. The more serious you present yourself as a buyer, the better of a conversation it may spur.
Documents Needed to Purchase a Private Car Sale in Kansas
Once you agree on a price, you simply need to make sure the paperwork is handled properly in order to make it an official and legal sale.
Kansas Certificate of Title: This is the most important document. The seller needs to sign the back of the original title over to you. You want to make sure that their name is printed the same way as it is on the front of the title and that they fill out the current odometer reading, date of sale, and the sale price. You will also want to check the title to see if there is a lien listed. If there is, the seller will need to have a lien release form from the financial institution who made the loan.
Bill of Sale: A bill of sale is not legally required in Kansas for most sales, however, we highly recommend having one. The bill of sale acts as a receipt and contains additional information about the vehicle such as: VIN, make, model, and year, the sale price, and the date of sale. Both you and the seller should sign the bill of sale. Generally, you will be able to find a bill of sale template online.
Payment: Make sure you make payments to the seller through a secure method where fraud is also less likely. Payment through a bank cashier's check is most likely your best option (since the money is guaranteed by the bank), for both of you. I do not recommend bringing large amounts of cash.
Registration and Insurance: After you complete the sale, you will need to insure the vehicle. After the purchase, you have 60 days to register the vehicle in your name, at your local county treasurer's office. You'll want to take the signed title, the proof of insurance, and money to pay the sales tax and registration fees.
By following this process, you should feel comfortable working through the private-party used car market in Kansas while also experiencing an enjoyable and successful vehicle acquisition experience!
