The world of pre owned vehicles isn’t without tales of woe, that much is certain. It’s an unfortunate truth, but one we must square with. It’s even more unfortunate that these tales of woe usually eclipse the vast majority of perfectly wonderful purchases of pre owned vehicles.
However, with the average price of new cars in the United States surpassing $35,309, pre owned vehicles are becoming more attractive choices. Used cars are wonderful investments, but the purchasing process must be approached with a certain level of wariness. This wariness will protect you, your investment, and, ultimately, your safety. Let’s look at some ways to practice reasonable wariness during the used auto sales process.
Vehicle History Reports
Because a pre owned vehicle isn’t coming right out of the proverbial box, it’s smart to find out where it’s been and what it’s been through. If a dealer hasn’t gotten these reports already, that’s a good reason to be skeptical. Most places selling pre owned vehicles will have these as an assurance of quality. However, even if you do receive a vehicle history report, that shouldn’t necessarily be trusted on its own.
See It, Feel it, Bring Some Experienced Eyes
The vehicle history report might sparkle, but no report can perfectly tell you the quality of a pre owned vehicle without personal inspection and a good old fashioned test drive. You know what to look and listen for in a car when you’re driving it around even if you’re not an expert. There’s something to be said about the feel of driving a vehicle. When any warning flags are flying, ask to get the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic of your choosing. Finding damages only visible to trained eyes is important to determine the true value of a pre owned vehicle.
Do Some Snooping
Hop on Google and research the make and model of the pre owned vehicle you’re looking into buying. Are there any recalls to note? Check to see if those have been done and insist on seeing proof of repairs. Beyond this, try to gain access to contact information for the vehicle’s previous owner. They could have valuable information that a less than savory salesperson chose to omit to boost the vehicle’s value.
Shopping for pre owned vehicles isn’t a whole bunch of crooks trying to take advantage of you. Most of the time, buying pre owned vehicles is a smooth and worthwhile process. Still, remember to be wary of the few things we mentioned and you’ll have your bases covered from the beginning of the process to driving your pre owned vehicle back home.
