Here’s the reality: buying a brand-new car can be a daunting task, especially if you are not prepare financially for the responsibility of monthly fees, ownership costs, and maintenance. Chances are, you’ll end up having your car repossess by banks.

On the lighter side, you can still fulfill of buying a car as long as you can still manage to pay your monthly cash flow. But how? Well, the easier way is to buy a used car or pre-owned vehicles.

To give you a quick overview, pre-owned cars are usually sold at a more affordable price compared to brand new cars that are currently available in the market. Purchasing one from a reputable bank also assures you of a pain-free selection and purchase process.

Take a quick look on BPI’s five checklist and guide when you buy a pre-owned vehicles:

Rule # 1: Find a car that suits your needs. When exposed with a variety of options, it’s easy to get carried away and buy the first car that catches your eye. Be meticulous in identifying which car will be most suitable for your needs. Who will be riding in the car? How many people? What exactly will you use it for?

Rule # 2: Conduct a thorough inspection. After deciding on what fits you best, the next step is to inspect the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Use this time to spot dents, scratches, flat tires, broken mechanisms, and other damages or missing parts in the vehicle. Don’t hold back on asking all the pertinent questions and doing your research.

Rule # 3: Expect some normal wear and tear. Take note that these car units are sold “as-is, where-is” and have been used by others before you. So expect some normal wear and tear in them. Keep this in mind as discounts or compensation will not be given to you for repairs. After inspecting the unit, you will have an idea of what needs to be done, if necessary. Save some cash for refurbishments, repairs, or any enhancements that you may desire for your car.

Rule # 4: Keep proper financing in mind. After a satisfactory inspection of the unit’s physical condition, consider your budget. Banks who offer these pre-owned vehicles can assist you in making the right purchase. They can also help determine the best financing plans according to your budget or ability to pay. Buenamano (www.buenamano.ph), for example, accepts payments in cash and through financing. It offers reasonable prices and even discounts.

Rule # 5: Be on the lookout for the best deals. While you can definitely save money with pre-owned vehicles, you can save some more by choosing banks that offer additional discounts and promos. Periodically, banks release a list of units for sale, and it may serve you well to scour these lists and work out a deal during a promo period.

The Buena Mano Auto Sale is currently offering a 10% discount to all cash buyers nationwide. The discount also applies to those who will purchase vehicles financed with a loan from BPI Family Savings Bank.