Buying a car is a hefty financial investment when all is said and done. After years of payments, maintenance costs, and everything else, you're going to short on some money. While this is a norm for many people, there are several ways to get yourself an essential piece of machinery while also cutting back on the overall cost of that machine. Buying a used car is an excellent way to combat depreciation and to make an economically sound decision. But, buying a car always comes with risks and there are several added risks that come with buying used.
If you know what to look for, you can avoid getting into a lemon and having a downright bad time. Toyota of Clermont is here with some essential warning signs to look for when buying a used car.
Check All These Things Before Buying a Used Car
Dirty Oil
A risk you run in buying a Clermont used car is that you have to trust that the previous owner took good care of it. Once a seller receives a used vehicle, they should run in through an auto service check in which they check/change the oil and fluids, and make sure everything is working properly. If you're able to check the oil and you find that it's dirty, this means that it hasn't been properly maintained in some time. There could be other things that have gone unmaintained so it's best to avoid this used car and keep shopping.
Cigarette Smell
One of the most pervasive and annoying smells you'll find in a vehicle is the smells of cigarettes. It's almost impossible to get rid of (unless you plan on replacing every piece of upholstery inside) and can make or break your experience with a car. It'll often be masked with huge amounts of air freshener, but 9 times out of 10 you can still smell the cigarettes underneath.
Signs of Accident Damage
Accidents happen when it comes to used cars, but if they're not repaired properly it can spell trouble for when you become the next owner. If you can access a vehicle history report, do so and ask plenty of questions about what you find. Which areas of the car did the accident cover? When did it happen? How was it repaired and when? Are there any ongoing issues as a result of the accident? If you can't get any clear answers, best not take your chances with that Clermont used car.
Low/Dirty Coolant
If you're able to inspect things further under the hood, make sure to check the level and quality of your used car's coolant. Normally, coolant gets exhausted by your vehicle slowly and it's not often that it'll run out or you'll have issues with the reservoir. But, if your Clermont used vehicle sustained damage or has a leak, you could wind up with dirty or low coolant.
Band-Aid Fixes
These might be hard to spot, but band-aid fixes are hardly ever well-hidden. Check for obvious damage that looks like it might have been covered up at some point. This could be paint defects, interior damage, engineering rigging, etc. Pay close attention, these are meant to be hidden.
No Available Records
Previous owners of Clermont used cars typically keep a clear record of maintenance so the next owner can be aware of any damages and what's been done to it so far. If you're unable to locate any clear records, that could be the previous owner or current seller trying to hide something. Be careful!
Ready to shop for a quality used car with us? Visit Toyota of Clermont today at 16851 State Road 50!
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