If your car is starting to run on its last legs and you're just tired of taking it to the mechanic to get it serviced, it might be time to move on. If you live in Ghana, you know how important it is to have a car for everyday life; however, you probably can't afford to drive all over different areas in order to find a dealership with a good deal.

While it's true that you're likely going to find more dealerships in South Africa than in Ghana, that doesn't mean that getting a cheap car is completely out of the question. In fact, there are a few ways you can go about saving money on a used car right from the comfort of your Ghanaian home. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you need to make a swap and shopping for your dream car in Ghana.

Try and get some trade-in value on your current vehicle.

One of the first ways to save when swapping your car for a newer vehicle is to tap your existing vehicle for money towards your new car. Of course, how much money you wind up getting from a dealer depends on the condition of the car, but if you have a reliable brand like a Toyota you may be able to get a good deal on the trade-in value. Keep in mind that you don't have to use that trade-in cash at the dealership you're selling the car to. This means that if you really need to spend that money at a different dealership in Ghana or an automotive auction, you can really stretch your dollars.

Look at automotive auctions to really save money.

While it might give you pause to think about buying a car at auction, it can actually be an incredibly strategic way to find a dream car. One of the benefits of looking for cars for sale in Ghana at auction is that many auctions source vehicles from Ghana as well as the United States. This gives you access to a much broader inventory of vehicles, ultimately giving you a greater chance of finding your dream car since you don't need to wait for it to show up in a Ghanaian dealer's lot.

Websites like Auto Auction Mall specialize in helping you shop for all sorts of cars at auction. They have search filters that make it simple to sort through cars based on their price or the condition of the vehicle. Keep in mind that the condition of the car will certainly play a part in how many people will be bidding on it, so don't be surprised if more popular makes, models, and conditions released in the last year or two skyrocket in price as bidding happens. While you'll want to budget for import and export fees, Auto Auction Mall can help you calculate these sorts of things and help you factor them into your overall car budget.

Find a cheap insurance company to save on annual fees.

One other thing to keep in mind when looking for a deal on a car is what insurance company you plan to use as your insurer. Different insurers have different rates, so doing a bit of research to compare one insurance company against another can help you find out if you're really getting the lowest rate on your automotive insurance. Keep in mind that the type of car you end up buying can also have an impact on the type of insurance you qualify for. Older vehicles with higher mileage are more likely to run into trouble and may require pricier insurance coverage as a result.