How To Inspect a Used Car: Checklist

Buying a pre-owned vehicle doesn’t have to be a gamble and you don’t have to be an aficionado. The best buyer is an informed buyer and Wrecktify wants to help you be just that. We’ve compiled some of our best tips for considering a pre-owned vehicle.

The first step is knowing your budget. Living within your means and keeping in line with your budget should be a top priority for all good purchases. Bear in mind you will need to budget for monthly payments and regular maintenance. You should also know the general amount of money you can spend on gas and insurance each month; the difference could determine if you purchase a gas-guzzling truck or an economical sedan.

This is a big deal. We know that vehicles can be in a serious accident and be repaired to look like new, we do it all the time! Be sure that you are given a full accident report and research the vehicle recall history to ensure you are driving a safe vehicle. By looking into a car’s make, model, and year you can be thoroughly informed of the possibilities of future repairs it may need and other general expenses.

This may be the most commonly checked factor when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. Everyone knows that high mileage doesn’t sell well. But there are some fallacies with that assumption. Not all miles are the same. The first few seconds of a car running are where the majority of engine wear occurs. You could be looking at two identical cars, one with 64,000 miles versus one with 128,000, but the first was mostly city driving and rarely serviced and the other was majority highway and well taken care of. Of course, check the mileage but also check it’s driving and maintenance history.

After all the major factors are considered, there are still some things you should verify before you drive off in your new ride.

Sure, the big things are deal breakers, but even the little things count. They may not make-or-break, but they could potentially be a nice chunk off the sale price.

Buying pre-owned doesn’t have to be a hassle and a nice clean up doesn’t either! Come visit us after you purchase your vehicle, or with your current one, and let us help you with any auto repairs or detailing needs you may have.