If the time has come to replace your automobile, you can obviously save money if you decide to purchase your next car used. But buying used also comes with some concerns and you'll want to do your research to make sure you are getting the best vehicle possible. Here are some tips to remember when buying a used vehicle that can help ensure you will drive off the lot with a winner:
Stick with Certified Pre-Owned and Ask to See the Checklist
There's used and then there's certified pre-owned. A certified car means the dealer took the time to do a point by point inspection of the entire car and verified that everything is working like new or as good as it can be. Seek out a local dealer that offers a certified pre-owned program but don't stop there. Ask to see the actual checklist used for the certification. Verify as much as you can that everything is accurate.
Check Accident or Maintenance History
Your dealer should also be able to help you run a report that will give light to the vehicle's accident or incident history if any. Even if a car looks great, that could be thanks to the local collision shop doing a great repair job, so make sure you know what you are getting into. In some cases, the previous owner might also hand over the car's maintenance record or the dealer themselves might have a maintenance shop that has previously serviced the vehicle. Take a look at these records if you can and make sure everything looks good to go.
Use This Opportunity for Better Features
If you went into this process seeking to stay under a certain budget, a used vehicle could be an opportunity for you to pack more features into the car while still staying under your target amount. The vehicle will obviously have gone through some depreciation compared to a new model, and this may give you some room to seek out a used vehicle with better features. Look for a car that has the sun roof you wanted or consider adding aftermarket features like a satellite radio or smartphone integration.
Buying a used car can be a smart move as long as you do your research. Seek out pre owned Chevrolet vehicles that are fully certified and ready to go. Contact your local used car dealer today to take a test drive.
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