What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

October 20th, 2020 by

Used Car Buying Tips near Clearwater

Looking to find your perfect used car to drive around Clearwater? Look no further than Ocean Honda with our below tips that can help you get behind the wheel of your next ride. So that you can buy confidently with peace of mind, here are a few things to look for when buying a used or certified pre-owned vehicle.

Inspect Car Exterior and Interior

While the more photos the better on a vehicle listing, it’s always best to go see your potential new (to you) car in person. Thoroughly look over the entire vehicle, checking for any large dings, scrapes or scratches. Just a few things to think about while you are inspecting the vehicle include:

  • Are there any rusty spots or paint chips?
  • Does the heat and A/C work properly?
  • Are there any leaks under the car?
  • Is there anything hanging form the undercarriage?

Test Drive

No amount of photos, videos, or even in-person inspections can replace the good, old-fashioned test drive. Take your prospective vehicle for a quick spin, paying close attention to brake/engine noises as you drive on different road surfaces. A vehicle that pulls to the left or right may indicate poor alignment. Put the car through a variety of tests, including both city and highway driving, and parallel parking if possible.

Check the Mileage

One major factor that separates a new car from a used one is mileage. Some high mileage cars may be in better shape than low mileage cars, depending on a variety of factors. But typically, a low mileage car is the way to go as they usually require less maintenance and will have a higher resale value in the long run. However, a low mileage car that is an older model year may not be ideal. When it comes to mileage on a used car, there’s no simple formula since the way the vehicle was maintained and driven may be just as important as the odometer reading.

Review the Vehicle History Report

The more information you have about a used car, the better, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better source of information than a Carfax report, which can quickly tell you a car’s service history, any previous accidents, and ownership history. We proudly offer a few Carfax report on all our used vehicles. Simply click the Carfax icon on any of our used vehicles pages.

Consider Certified

Want even more assurance before you buy a used car? Then consider certified pre-owned vehicles (CPO), which are top-notch, inspected, pre-owned vehicles backed by manufacturer limited warranties that have usually been reconditioned as well. Reconditioning can include brake repair/replacement, headlight restoration, paint repair, fixing dents/dings, tire balancing, fluid exchanges, and so on. CPO vehicles also have to meet certain manufacturer guidelines, which can include passing thorough inspections, having fewer than 80,000 miles, and being 6 model years or newer.

Car Doc Peace of Mind

Did you know that all our used cars include a 90-Day/3,000-Mile Warranty and 2 Years of Complimentary Oil Changes and Tire Rotations? And for even more peace of mind, consider joining our Car Doc program for as low as $25/mo, which can save you thousands on maintenance services over the life of your vehicle and potentially increase the residual value or resale value of your car. Learn more about our exclusive Car Doc Maintenance and Membership Program by clicking here.

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