In this era of inflation and economic recession, used car market has grown tremendously in India. When the new car market is suffering from intense credit crunch, used car market is rejoicing the success. Infact, this liquidity crunch has become a blessing in disguise for the market.

Many people today are considering buying used cars that may save them a few bucks. In the market you'll find a number of used cars but to find the best used car is a trickier job. You need to be more careful while buying a used car because it may have unexplained faults and damages. If you are not aware of the technicalities of a car, then you may end up buying a worthless used car for a comparatively higher price.

Here are the top 7 used car buying tips:

1. First make up your mind with the kind of car you need. Decide whether you wish to buy a used sedan or a hatchback based upon your requirement or need. For making a perfect decision you can consult your friends and relatives as well as read reviews and consumer reports. Examine ratings for reliability, fuel-efficiency, and running cost.

2. Once you have made up your mind with few options, browse for used car advertisements on the internet, magazines, and newspaper. You can even contact used car dealers. Today, even leading car manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda also have their established used car business.

3. Decide from where you'll buy the used car and then test-drive your selected cars to have a better idea of which car is perfect for you. While test driving try to examine and compare the condition, power, performance, and pick-up. Also recognize if there is any kind of transmission problem.

4. Examine the final car chosen in detail. Look for hidden problems under the hood and others that are mostly not disclosed by any used car seller. Check for the car history in terms of car accidents, insurance, depreciation, and ownership. It is not advisable to buy if the car has a history of multiple owners. Single hand cars are better and more reliable than those that are driven by multiple hands.

5. Then go for a thorough check of the interior and the exterior of the car. In the car exterior you need to look for dents, rusting, scratches, tyre condition, and oil leaks. Peep into the car interior to ensure well-maintained condition of the car seats, dashboard, steering wheel, and the instrumentation.

6. If you are really satisfied with the condition of the used car you examined, go ahead with it and get to know the actual value for the car. Try and contact the dealers or manufacturers to know the actual price of the car and even the resale value.

7.Once you are confirmed with the price tag, finalize the deal and try to make about 30-40% of the used car price.