Used Cars Under $20K: Here's Where You Can Find Them—Charity Auctions and More

For some people, buying a used car under $20,000 is more practical than purchasing a new vehicle.

However, because of the changing 2nd-hand car market, buyers are having a hard time finding a decent used vehicle that is affordable.

Used Cars Under $20K: Here's Where You Can Find Them—Charity Auctions and More

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A used car is displayed on a sales lot on June 9, 2011 in San Rafael, California. As the economy continues to falter and Japan recovers from the earthquake and tsunami, demand and prices of used cars have risen 30 percent over the past year.

If you are planning to purchase a 2nd-hand car that is $20,000 or cheaper and is still in good condition, here's where you can find it.

Used Cars Under $20K: Here's Where You Can Find Them

Yahoo Finance provides numerous places where people can find used cars under $20,000. Remember, these places don't always have decent $20,000 2nd-hand vehicle.

But it is still worth checking them from time to time:

Charity Auction

Charity auctions are among the best places to find a $20,000 used car. Another advantage of buying 2nd-hand vehicles here is people commonly ensure their used cars are in good condition.

Lease

Leasing companies sell used vehicles at an affordable price. This is because they want to get rid of the cars they recollected. This is why leasing firms are considered a "goldmine" for vehicle consumers.

Rental Firms

Just like leasing companies, rental firms also tend to sell their vehicles as soon as possible. Rental companies ensure their used cars are well-maintained before selling them to interested buyers.

Aside from these three, here are other places where you can buy a good $20,000 2nd-hand vehicle:

Mechanic shops
Social media sites and online marketplaces
Friends and families
Dealerships

What To Check in Used Cars

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Vehicles sit for sale a used car lot on January 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Prices and sales of used vehicles are falling from pandemic highs amid rising interest rates, increased production of new automobiles and concerns of a recession.

Unlike new vehicles, buying a used car is more difficult since you need to check several things before completing the transaction. This is why people who purchase 2nd-hand vehicles are those who are already knowledgeable about cars.

Luckily, Consumer Reports provided the facts you need to consider when buying a used vehicle:

Mileage

Most used cars have 30,000 or 40,000 mileage. But, if the 2nd-hand vehicle only has 20,000 per year or less than 5,000 miles, make sure to ask the previous owner why.

Equipment

Some 2nd-hand vehicles are well-equipped with numerous instruments, such as a back sensor, navigation system, etc. If this is the case, ask if all of the car's additional features are properly working since they can affect its overall performance.

Ownership Period

One of the most important things to ask is how long the seller owned the car. You might be surprised that some resellers were not the originals of the vehicle. Sometimes, they can be the 3rd or 4th car owner.

Maintenance Records

If you want to ensure that the car is still in good condition, the best thing you can do is ask for maintenance records since these documents can show you the vehicle's status for the past few years.