Buying a used car can be a great way to save money on your next set of wheels. But before you agree to make a purchase, it’s important to inspect the vehicle and ensure that it’s in good shape.
While there are some things that you should keep in mind while inspecting any vehicle, there are also some specific things to look for when checking out used cars in tempe at dealerships.
Even if the damage isn’t apparent at first, there’s no reason to rule out a vehicle just because you’re not able to see any evidence of damage on the surface. Look carefully at the car and make sure that there aren’t any dents or other signs of major damage underneath a fresh coat of paint. If you do notice any hints at something under the surface, it’s best to walk away from that vehicle and find another one. Buying used cars is always a bit of a gamble, but there are some things that you can do to increase your chances of coming home with a vehicle that doesn’t need thousands of dollars worth of repairs.
First, if the dealership doesn’t allow you to look over the car yourself, it’s probably not worth your time. Find a dealer that is willing to let you walk around and inspect the vehicle for as long as you like. If there is any damage at all to the vehicle, you should be able to find it on either side of the car. It’s also important to look underneath the car for any rust or other signs of deterioration under the chassis. Look at the hubcaps and make sure that they are all in working order, too. If you uncover any problems during your inspection, point them out to the dealership representative and try to get price breaks or other extra perks for the vehicle.
Second, make sure that the mileage on the odometer matches up with what is listed in the vehicle history report. A used car might look perfect at first glance, but there could be signs of major damage that were dealt with poorly and never reported on previous history reports. This is especially true if the odometer has been turned back in order to conceal major accidents. Check for clumps of metal or other pieces of debris in places where they shouldn’t be, and ask about recent servicing visits when you’re buying a used car from a dealership.
