If you need a new vehicle, pre-owned is a great way to go. When you purchase a pre-owned car, there are some smart moves you can make to ensure that you spend your money wisely.

#1 Go for a Certified Used Car

If you want to get the most reliable used vehicle possible, you should go for a certified used car. Certified used cars are vehicles that have undergone very through inspections and testing by the original dealerships before they were put up for sale again. These inspections and tests ensure that everything is working as it should on the vehicle, and if it is not, those issues are fixed until they meet the manufacturer standards. Only used vehicles that were well taken care of earn a certified used car status, so if you really need a vehicle you can rely on, a certified used car is the way to go.

#2 Check the Vehicle's History Report

You should always check the vehicle's history report, regardless of the certification status of the car. Accident history and accident damage can be discovered via the vehicle history report. You will be able to see if the vehicle was taken into a dealership for regular maintenance.

You may be able to spot problems with a vehicle as well. For example, if you see that a vehicle was taken in for the same major service repeatedly, that could clue you in that the vehicle has an issue.

A vehicle report can also let you know how many owners the vehicle had and how they drove the vehicle. Did one person own the vehicle for a short period of time and put a lot of miles on it? Did the vehicle acquire mileage gradually over time? A vehicle report would let you know as much as you can about the ownership history of the vehicle without talking to the previous vehicle's owners.

#3 Check the General Reliability of the Vehicle You Want to Purchase

Finally, when you have a vehicle you really want to purchase, be sure to look into the reliability of the specific make and model. Both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates are respected companies that compile information about consumers' experiences with specific vehicles. You can also search vehicle-specific forums online for information about the reliability of a specific vehicle.

When purchasing a used car, be smart about your investment. Go for a certified pre-owned vehicle, analyze the VIN report, and research the general reliability of the vehicle you want to purchase. Doing these three things will help you choose a reliable vehicle to invest your money in.