What to Look for in a Used Vehicle
What to Look for in a Used Vehicle
Posted on January 25, 2024
Buying a used vehicle is a good way for you to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a car or truck. Used vehicles are less expensive, but may have hidden problems that the previous owner conveniently "left out" when selling you the car. Because of the lemons that are on the market, you should take some time to research the vehicle that you are considering and give it a thorough inspection before you make the purchase. There are a number of things that you should check to ensure the quality of the vehicle. Use the following list as a guide, but not as your only guide for making a purchase.
Mileage is one of the most basic things you will look at when making a used vehicle purchase is the mileage. The mileage is a guide to show you how much wear the vehicle has. It does not mean that all vehicles with high miles are bad and all that have low miles are good, but it will give you an idea of how much usage the vehicle has been subject to. Typically, vehicles get about 20,000 km put on them each year so try to calculate the number of kilometres per year the vehicle has.
The next thing that you should look for is rust. Rust is one of the most debilitating things that a vehicle can be subjected to. Body panels can crumble, frames can be weakened, and floors can rust out. If the vehicle you are considering has rust, you want to ensure that you are know the extent of the damage to the vehicle. If you feel like the damage is excessive, don't buy the vehicle.
Before you even step on a lot to look at vehicles, check the price using an online pricing guide. These guides allow you to input the make, model, and options to find out what a vehicle is actually worth on the market. Once you know the price, you will have the upper hand negotiating when the time comes