Traits Of A Great Used Car

With the prices of new vehicles climbing past $50,000, buying a reliable used car is more attractive than ever for a lot of people. The problem is that used cars carry an inherent risk of mechanical or electrical problems. You need to be cautious because there is often no warranty on which to rely if the car malfunctions. Fortunately, there are ways to identify promising used vehicles that won’t turn into lemons. Below, we’ll describe a few common traits that you should look for.

Low Mileage

One of the first warning signs of a potential problem is a high number of miles on the odometer. The average number of miles driven each year in the U.S. is approximately 12,000. If a used car has been driven 15,000 miles each year for the past 4 years, it’s usually no cause for concern. However, if a car has 100,000 miles on it and it’s only 4 years old, you should expect a significant discount off of the “Blue Book” value. Extreme cases aside, the lower the mileage, the better. The higher the mileage, the more risk of mechanical failure.

One Owner

If a car has had several owners, there may be a problem with it. As each owner discovers the problem, he sells it to someone else (similar to a game of hot potato). Plus, it’s less likely that a car has been maintained properly if it has changed ownership several times. Used cars that have only been owned by 1 person are usually a safer bet.

Regular Maintenance

If the owner can provide documentation of regular maintenance, that should give you confidence that the car won’t experience major problems in the near future. Regular oil changes every 5,000 miles, tuneups, transmission flushes, and other services are clues that the used vehicle is in good working condition.

Passes Mechanic’s Diagnostic

After considering the mileage, number of owners, and maintenance records, you should have a mechanic run a diagnostic test. If there are any mechanical or electrical problems, they’ll show up when he runs the test. On the other hand, if the car passes the test, you may have a bargain on your hands.

A True Bargain

Buying a great used car isn’t just about finding the lowest price. After all, negotiating a great price won’t matter if the vehicle breaks down. A true bargain is a used vehicle with low mileage, 1 owner, and has undergone regular maintenance. If that car passes a mechanic’s diagnostic test, you can be confident that it won’t break down and leave you stranded in the near future.