Things to Consider When Buying Second-Hand Vehicles
Unlike a brand-new car–with which you expect to have everything running perfectly–a used car’s reliability depends on several things like the manufacturer’s engineering standards, the mileage on the car, and the previous owner’s driving and maintenance habits. Here are 3 things to consider according to a professional used car buyer before you take the leap:
The higher the mileage, the more parts will need replacing.
From past experience, parts start wearing out at around the 60,000-70,000km mark. These can be relatively inexpensive like brake pads and fuel filters, but could steadily get bigger like a transmission overhaul, a new radiator, or a new A/C compressor. Get a copy of the car’s periodic maintenance schedule to know what you’re getting into.
You can’t be cheap.
You can be thrifty, yes, but delaying the replacement of worn parts will cost you more. This is especially true for the cooling system where delaying a needed replacement will only create a domino-like effect. Take it from someone who held off on a new radiator several years ago until it finally cracked, causing the engine to shut down, and costing me a small fortune in not just a new radiator but an engine overhaul as well.
Research on the car.
Talk to friends who have owned a particular model that you’re eyeing, and Google the car’s reputation. “Forewarned is forearmed,” as they say. To get a feel for the market price of the car you’re looking for, visit some used-car dealerships. Also, check the Internet for the cost of parts, and list down several shops that stock up on your prospective car’s parts.
If you are planning to buy a used car, make sure that you are doing it with a trusted used car buyer in St. Louis, MO like Fenton Auto Buyers LLC. Call me at (314) 675-5561 to know more about the services I offer.