There are a number of reasons why a growing number of drivers are choosing to purchase pre-owned or used vehicles rather than buy them brand-new: they can purchase a great car at a better price, their vehicle does not immediately lose 20% of its value, and they have a far greater variety of vehicles available to them. With that said, used car buyers need to be a bit more cautious when purchasing their vehicle simply because they do not know its history or what problems it may have. Protect yourself when shopping for a used vehicle by following the tips below.
Your Used Car Does Not Need to Be Certified Necessarily
It sounds wonderful to purchase a “certified” used vehicle, but depending on how old the car is, it may not need to be certified. Most new vehicles come with a new car warranty, meaning that if the used vehicle you are considering purchasing is anywhere from two to four years old, it likely does not need to be certified. Make sure that the new car warranty will transfer, however, and if it does not, then it is a good idea to purchase a vehicle which is certified.
Whenever possible, try to purchase a vehicle which is not certified through an insurance company. This way you can avoid filing a claim in order to receive payment for your vehicle’s repairs.
Be Willing to Accept the Car’s Issues
Most drivers who are looking at Canberra used cars for sale will have at least one or two particular makes and models in mind. Before setting your heart on a particular vehicle, do some research on the vehicle and uncover what the most common problems the vehicle has been (this can be done simply by typing in the make and model of the vehicle and then typing in the word “problems”).
Every make and model of vehicle will have one or more complaints. The key is to see whether there is a trend in the types of problems which the vehicle suffers from, and whether or not you will be able to accept those issues. If you purchase a vehicle which is pre-certified or still has its new car warranty, make sure that these problems will be covered by the guarantee.
Research the Service Department
Your vehicle’s certification is only as good as the type of service the dealership will be able to provide you with. Hop online and look at what others have had to say about the dealership’s service department. Look for answers to questions such as:
- What reputation does their service department have?
- Does their service department offer fantastic customer service?
- How long has it taken for other pre-certified used vehicles to be repaired?
The last thing you want is to have your car break down while still certified and need to jump through hoops and go through a lot of hassle just to have it repaired. Finally, be sure also to ask about whether or not you will be provided with a temporary vehicle while yours is in the shop so that you can still get to where you need to go.
