Since the COVID-19 pandemic brought all of our lives to a halt, the used car market has absolutely boomed, meaning it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible when looking at pre-owned vehicles for sale.
The days of kicking the tires and making sure it starts are long gone, especially when it comes to shelling out more money than you might have expected.
But what should you be looking for when buying a pre-owned vehicle? Stick with us as we take a look at some of the areas to be aware of.
- Use the Information Available To You
The internet has changed the way we buy and sell, even when it comes to cars. Information that would have previously been tucked in a filing cabinet in a government office is now available to us online.
That means that a car’s history doesn’t have to be a secret. You can use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to find out about any historical issues, such as;
- if the model has ever been recalled
- if the car has ever been in an accident
- if the car has even been written off by an insurer
Knowledge is power, and could be a bargaining chip when it comes to negotiating a price.
- Pop That Hood
You might have looked under a car hood before and not even known what everything is, let alone if it’s working or not.
But it’s actually easier to spot issues than you might think, so don’t be afraid to ask the owner to lift up the hood. Here’s what to look out for;
- excessive rust (could be a sign that the car has been sitting unused for a long time)
- signs of fluid leaks, especially around the power steering and transmission fluids
- dry, cracked, or rotting belts
- check the oil dipstick – the oil shouldn’t be too dirty, and should be in the middle of the guide.
There’s an awful lot more you could look for, but these are some immediate red flags.
- Understand That Low Mileage Isn’t Everything
You come across a 10-year-old car, and notice that it only has 5,000 miles… great, right? Well, not necessarily.
10 years is 3650 days, so this car has done a little more than 1 mile a day. But in reality, it’s probably done long stretches of time sitting in a driveway. This could be bad news for many of the components of the engine, which benefit from being used regularly.
Ask the owner to be upfront about how much they used the car, and how they have driven it.
- Always Test Drive a Car
A car could look pristine inside and out (especially if you’re buying it from a dealership with certified pre-owned vehicles like serrabarlett.com), and even under the hood. But the moment you turn on the engine and take it for a spin should be the real decider.
Listen out for knocks and other strange noises, and check that the car goes in a straight line when you let go of the steering wheel.
Test the brakes, test the power output… all of these things are pointers towards the overall health of a car.
Be Confident When Buying a Pre-Owned Vehicle
Buying a pre-owned vehicle doesn’t have to be a stressful exercise. You can find great quality pre-owned vehicles all over the country, and all it takes is a keen eye for some of the more obvious issues.
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