Here is some insider advice, so that you make the best decision when purchasing your pre-owned car!
1. Does it meet my needs?
The first step in buying a pre-owned vehicle is ensuring it meets your needs. Ask yourself:
- What do I use my vehicle for?
- If you have 5 kids, that 2 door coupe you've been eyeing may not be the best option
- How many miles do I drive?
- If you only use your car to drive a couple minutes down the road to work, a vehicle with 100,000 miles on it could be a great option for you! Pre-owned vehicles are lasting longer than ever!
- If you do a lot of traveling for work, you may want to consider a lower mileage vehicle
- Consider GAS MILEAGE as well! If fuel efficiency is important to you, research the gas mileage of the vehicle by checking out www.fueleconomy.gov
Before digging any deeper in your used car search, make sure the vehicle is the right one for you!
2. Check Warranty
Most people don't realize, but many times pre-owned vehicles still have a remainder of the factory warranty still available! Research the manufacturer's warranty and see if there is still warranty left on your vehicle.
IF NOT, most dealerships offer extended warranties you can purchase with your pre-owned vehicle, we certainly do! PROTECT YOURSELF and purchase a warranty, this will save you a lot of worry and hassle if anything does go awry in the future!
ASK ABOUT CERTIFICATION! Automotive manufacturers take their late-model vehicles, put them through a rigorous inspection, and attach an extended warranty automatically. Certified vehicles offer new car benefits at a used car price!
We have an awesome certification program at Scranton Motors, check out all of our fantastic certified vehicles here!
3. Vehicle History
It is important to CHECK THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT! This is the only way you can make sure the car you are purchasing doesn't have any major issues.
Some Red Flags to look out for:
- Major Accident Reported
- Don't be wary of all accidents, minor fender benders show up on vehicle history reports too
- Odometer roll backs
- Make sure your vehicle has the correct mileage reported
- Vehicle Use
- Do you mind if the vehicle was a rental or registered as a commercial vehicle?
We offer FREE vehicle history reports for ALL of our pre-owned vehicles! You can take a look at our pre-owned inventory and their reports here!
4. Research Price
Make sure the asking price for the car is fair by doing your research. Take a look at great resources like Kelly Blue Book to find out what the average selling price for the vehicle is. Print out what you find and bring it down to the dealership for negotiations.
*REMEMBER, when researching the price, make sure you consider all the options the vehicle has! Is it leather? Does it have navigation? Does it have a sunroof? These are all important factors that will impact price!
Location also impacts price! Is this car hard to come by in your area? Is it a special edition? If so, the price may be higher because of the market value!
5. You bought it from who?!
Make sure you know your seller! Are you purchasing your vehicle from a trusted seller? If purchasing from a private seller, be sure to bring the vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection.
At Scranton Motors we put ALL of our pre-owned vehicles through a 172 point inspection to ensure they are safe and reliable! We stand proud behind each and every one of our pre-owned vehicles!
If you follow these 5 simple steps when purchasing your used vehicle you can rest assured you will drive home worry free!
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Still wary of purchasing used? Check out our great NEW VEHICLE options HERE
