What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

When you know what to look for when buying a used car, you can easily weed through lesser models and find a vehicle with everything you need. We provide more information below, but for now, here are our top three used car buying tips:

1. Pick a model with low mileage and a solid service history. Well-maintained vehicles can last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles or more.
2. Be on the lookout for common signs of excessive wear:
1. Visible rust may point to deeper issues.
2. A messy, oil-stained engine compartment can indicate shoddy care.
3. If the vehicle screeches or squeals upon start-up, it may soon require an expensive belt replacement.
4. Fluid pools or stains beneath the vehicle are also red flags.
5. Structural damage from a prior accident—easily detectable by most mechanics—can shorten a vehicle’s lifespan or contribute to higher maintenance costs.
3. Do your research, and choose a model with strong reviews and reliability scores.

If you want to make sure that you’re making a smart investment, ask if you can bring the vehicle to a mechanic that you trust! Any seller who objects is probably untrustworthy, and nothing beats the peace of mind that you’ll get with an expert opinion.

What to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Knowing what to ask when buying a used car is just as important as knowing what to look for! Whether you’re shopping at a dealership or buying from an individual, you can bring this list to your next test drive in Lakeville or Burnsville:

1. Can I view the Vehicle History Report?
2. How has the vehicle been maintained?
3. Are any features or amenities malfunctioning?
4. Has the vehicle always been driven in the Shakopee area?
5. How has the vehicle been used?
6. Has the vehicle had more than one previous owner?
7. Are there any outstanding recalls on the vehicle?
8. Is the vehicle overdue for any repairs or services?
9. Does the seller have the title in hand?
10. Does the car come with a warranty?
11. How has owning this vehicle impacted the seller’s insurance premiums?

Once again, if you can’t find or afford a barely-used vehicle, you should look for a model with a strong maintenance history. No other factor is a greater predictor of a model’s long-term performance!

Take the Next Steps with Confidence at Shakopee Chevrolet!

Our Shakopee dealership is easy to reach from anywhere near Eden Prairie, and we can help you with any and all aspects of the purchasing process. Whether you’re shopping with bad credit or you’ve settled on a reliable certified pre-owned model, we make it easy to apply for financing and get top-dollar for your trade-in. Now that you know what to ask when buying a used car, you can get more enjoyment out of every drive.