8 Important Things to Do After Buying a Used Car to Save Money

So you just bought a new-to-you car. Congrats! Now you may be wondering what to do next.

I recently bought a used car as well, and I already had my checklist of “things to do after buying a used car” in my head before I went to the dealership!

My number one money-saving tip for young adults is driving your current car for as long as possible. Driving a cheaper vehicle without a car payment will save you so much money so that you can invest to build wealth for financial freedom!

A well-maintained car actually saves you money in the long run. By spending a few dollars on good oil and spark plugs, you’ll avoid costly repairs and keep it on the road longer.

Plus, we all know how I feel about buying brand-new cars every few years. It’s one of the worst money mistakes people make over and over without a second thought.

Before I bought my 2017 Ford Escape, I had a 2004 Ford Escape that I drove reliably for 7.5 years. She had over 185,000 miles on her when she stopped being my daily driver. So it’s safe to say that I know a thing or two about keeping older vehicles on the road.

Now, I’m rounding up my top used car buying tips and giving you a checklist of 8 important things to do after buying a used car so that you can save money and build wealth!

Doing these things after buying a used car will help guarantee that you have a reliable ride for many years to come.

What to Do After Buying a Used Car

The dealer I bought my car from did all of the routine maintenance before I bought it.

They also sent me the entire documented service history of the vehicle, which was the main reason I bought this particular car. The previous owner did oil changes every 5000 miles and replaced the engine air filter twice. I could rest easy knowing that my car had been taken care of.

Despite the immaculate service history, I still performed these maintenance checks to verify everything myself.

1. Change Your Oil

This is the first and most obvious out of all the things to do after buying a used car.

Ideally, you’d make sure that the previous owner did regular oil changes before you bought the car, but it’s still a good idea to change it again right away so you know there is quality oil running through your engine.

The dealer had just changed the oil in my car right before I bought it, and I had record of them using Motorcraft SAE-grade 5W20 (the good stuff). So I skipped the oil change since I had documented proof that it was done recently.

Most of the time, you won’t have this proof, so it’s a good idea to change the oil and filter. That $20 you’ll spend is so worth it.

Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended oil weight and oil change intervals (you can find this in the owner’s manual).

Don’t listen to the guys at Jiffy Lube that will dump in whatever they have off the shelf every 3000 miles (in fact, please never take your car to Jiffy Lube. Do it yourself or find a reputable shop). They are salesmen, not vehicle relability experts!

Regular oil and filter changes with quality products are SO IMPORTANT.

2. Check Fluids

Depending on the amount of miles your new-to-you used car has, you may need to do some addional fluid changes.

The maintenance intervals on coolant and transmission fluid will vary depending on the make and model. Regardless of how old or new your car is, you should still inspect these fluids:

• Make sure your coolant is at the right level and looks clean.
• If you have a dipstick for your automatic transmission fluid, check it to make sure it is a bright red color and doesn’t smell burt. If it looks dirty or smells, go ahead and do a transmission fluid change. This is different than a fluid flush! Transmission fluid flushes aren’t recommended on modern transmissions because they can damage delicate parts.
• Check your brake fluid level and make sure there are no leaks near your master cylinder. Your brake fluid typically gets changed when you get new brake pads and rotors, so you shouldn’t need to replace this fluid unless you need a brake job.

My car didn’t have many miles when I bought it, but I still checked all the fluids. I’m not worried about replacing them yet, but having peace of mind is important.

Your car carries you and the most important people in your life at 70+ miles an hour, so making sure that it’s in good operating condition is essential.

3. Replace Your Air Filters

The next thing to check are your air filters!

These are your engine air filter (filters out air that goes into your engine- super important!) and your cabin air filter (filters out particles for your air conditioning/heat system- it’s the air you breathe when you use climate control).

Both of these parts are relatively inexpensive and easy to do in your driveway. I knew my engine air filter had recently been replaced, but I still checked to make sure it was clean.

The previous owner didn’t change the cabin air filter at all, so it was pretty dirty! You should be able to see through the filter when you hold it up to the light.

We popped a new one in under the glove box and it was good to go. Check your owner’s manual for receommended interval changes. It’s usually around 20,000 miles or so.

I usually go with OEM filters since they’re so important to the health of your car. Spending a few more bucks here is worth it.

4. Inspect Tires and Brakes

Tires and brakes are obviously very important to the operation and safety of your vehicle. Plus, a flat tire on the side of the interstate is the worst!

Prevent accidents and inconveniences by inspecting your tires for tread life and uneven wear.

Tires are a large expense, so make a plan now to purchase new ones even if yours are in good shape. Setting aside $100 per month into a car maintenance sinking fund is a great way to keep large maintenance costs from busting your budget.

Of course you’ll have your emergency fund for any sudden breakdowns or repairs.

If you hear any squeaking when you brake, it’s probably time for new brake pads. This is definitely doable in a garage, but is a little more complex than an oil change.

Protip: if you can’t do your own maintenance, buy the parts yourself and take them to a reputable shop. Most places will do the work for you at a much lower cost since you provided the parts.

You’ll also avoid paying the premium a dealer or mechanic would charge for parts, and you can make sure to get the high-quality stuff.

5. Replace Spark Plugs on Higher-Mileage Vehicles

If your new-to-you used car is on the higher-mileage side (60,000+ miles), I’d recommend replacing your spark plugs.

They’re cheap and relatively easy to install. Proper spark plugs will prevent engine misfires and keep it running efficiently.

6. Wash it and Clean the Interior

One of the first things you want to do after buying a used car is to clean it up!

A dirty car is seriously one of my biggest pet peeves. You probably don’t know much about the previous owner, so that always leads me to go a bit more intense with the first cleaning.

The best way to get over the urge to buy a new car is to wash and vacuum the one you already own. Learn to be content with what you have and keep your used car clean and maintained.

Washing your car by hand is one of my favorite things to do on a nice day. You also get to inspect your car and get to know all of it’s little imperfections before you owned it.

Write down anything major you want to get checked out by a professional and make a mental note of the small things.

Vacuum out the car, wipe down all the plastic, and treat your leather seats if you have them.

7. Apply Fluid Film Rust Prevention (if You Live in a Place With Snow)

Cars are a lot like people in the sense that there are things you can do to prevent future problems from happening.

I live in the rust belt, so getting a set of Weathertech floormats to protect my carpet was important to me. Water and salt can make it’s way down into your carpet and eventually rot your floorboards over time. I found a used set on Facebook Marketplace for $65, which was a steal (these are around $200 new!).

Another preventative measure I took was applying Fluid Film rust and corrosion prevention to the underbody of my car.

This stuff is literally from sheep’s wool, so it’s all natural and breathable. It basically creates a fluid barrier between your car’s underbody and the salt that will eventually cause rust.

Spray it all over your suspension and frame components, in drain holes, and on any other parts that are prone to rust. The fluid film will move around and stay in those nooks and crannies where rust spots love to begin.

It usually takes about 2 cans to fully coat the underbody of a car. Do this once a year right before winter for the best results!

After it snows and my car gets salty, I like to take it through the car wash on the next above-freezing day.

Get Fluid Film on Amazon here.

8. Tint Your Rear Windows if Necessary

My car didn’t have a factory window tint (I bought base model for reliability and simplicity), so I found a reputable shop to install an aftermarket one.

Tinting your windows keeps harmful UV rays out, makes the cabin interior cooler, and provides a level of privacy. Make sure to double-check your state’s laws first before going too dark!

Doing these 8 simple, yet important things will keep your vehicle on the road for many years to come and save you serious cash.

Whether you’re thinking about buying an older car to get out of debt or save money, or buying a newer used car, doing these 8 things after buying your used car will keep it on the road longer.

I’m excited to have a car that is relatively new and that I can have more influence over. We bought my last car when it was 9 years old and had 113,000 miles, and wasn’t well taken care of. She definitely needed some TLC and I did my best, but there is only so much you can do with a car that old!

It will be so cool to have an old car again in 10 years that still looks brand new!

This post was all about 8 important things to do after buying a used car to save money over the long-term.

-Megan