Things to Look for in a Used Vehicle

Buying a used vehicle is a good idea for a number of reasons. You might be able to save significant money over buying a new car or truck, meaning you may be able to buy sooner than you would have been otherwise. Also, it might be possible to select a vehicle with an upgraded trim package, where you wouldn’t have been able to afford all those features on a new model.

Of course, on the other side of the coin, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. You’ll be purchasing a vehicle which has already experienced some degree of wear and tear. You won’t know exactly how the vehicle has been treated in its time out on the road, either, although you can have it inspected. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if the financial savings is worth buying a car that isn’t brand new off the production line.

In this article, we are going to offer some basic tips on things to consider when shopping for used vehicles. Following these tips will not guarantee that you come away with a reliable, long-lasting vehicle, but they should be a good start. Of course, if you want to pick from an excellent inventory and work with experienced professionals, stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet during business hours.

See the Vehicle’s History

You will want to get a report on the history of the vehicle for any car or truck that you are considering. This is an important step in the process because it will outline if there has been significant damage repaired at any step along the way in the history of the vehicle. That doesn’t mean that you can’t ever purchase a car that’s been in an accident, but you will want to take that knowledge into consideration. Also, a clean report doesn’t mean that the vehicle is in great condition. Don’t think of this kind of report on the vehicle’s history as the final word on which one you should buy – it’s just one piece of the overall puzzle.

A Nice Interior

While what is under the hood is certainly important, don’t forget to value what you see on the inside. After all, this is where you are going to spend all of your time while driving, so you want it to be nice and comfortable. If the seats are badly worn, or the dash has been beaten up over the years, you may want to keep looking. Also, if a vehicle is worn out significantly on the inside, what does that say about the way the previous owner took care of it? Ideally, you would like to find a car or truck that has clearly been respected and valued throughout its life.

Modest Mileage

This one should go without saying. As you shop, compare the age of the car in years to the number of miles on the odometer. You’d like to see that the vehicle was picking up miles at a relatively modest rate until it arrived at the point of being put up for sale. No vehicle is going to last forever, so every mile driven is one mile closer to the end of the line for a given car or truck. Again, just as was the case with a car report, mileage is not the final word in which vehicle you should buy, but it is an important factor.

A Clean Inspection

You always want to have a used vehicle inspected by a capable mechanic before making a purchase. Fortunately, this is happening more and more in advance of buyers considering their vehicles – sellers are taking it upon themselves to assess the condition of the vehicle and price it accordingly. If you have a mechanic that you trust and would like to have him or her check on the vehicle before making an offer, ask the seller if you can make that happen. Remember, the purchase of a vehicle is a big decision, so you don’t want to rush into it before having all the information you need.

A Fair Price

Obviously, you are going to want to find a vehicle that is being offered for a fair price. There is no reason to pay more than market value for the car or truck that you want, so do some research and come into negotiations prepared to make a fair deal. This is far easier when you work with a respected and trusted company like Taylor & Sons Chevrolet. Lesser businesses may try to take advantage of you and squeeze every last penny from you on the transaction, but that isn’t how we do business. We want you to come back again and again for all of your automotive needs, so you can expect to be treated fairly right from the start.

The Features You Want

Remember to look for all the features that you would like to have when you pick out a used vehicle. These are things that aren’t essential to the operation of the vehicle yet will improve your enjoyment of it on a day to day basis. For example, make sure it has the technology you want, such as perhaps a backup camera or Bluetooth capability. Also, check on the presence of any safety features that you feel are important. You might not get an upfront accounting of everything on the vehicle like you would with a new car or truck, so it may be necessary to do a little research in order to discover what is present on the vehicle and what is missing.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by our blog. At Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, we are proud to carry many quality used vehicles for our customers to consider. Whether you wind up with a used vehicle or a new model, you can count on having a great experience from start to finish. Thanks again and we hope to meet you soon!

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