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What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

Used cars

In the market for a new vehicle near Prairie du Chien, but can’t find anything within your budget? Buying a used car is a cost-effective option for Decorah drivers. However, unlike buying a brand new vehicle, there are some caveats to buying a used car. The greatest concern used car buyers face is the accuracy of the vehicle’s history report. All our used vehicles undergo a rigorous quality assurance process, however, you should always do your own inspection before purchasing a used vehicle. Follow our used vehicle checklist below to determine the quality of a used vehicle at Birdnow Dealerships!

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Things to Look for When Buying a Used Car: Checklist

Buying a used car is less financially burdensome than a new car and doesn’t depreciate once it’s driven off the lot. However, West Union drivers should be wary of a deceptive vehicle history report and give a used vehicle a thorough inspection before driving it home. Our used vehicle checklist will tell you what questions you should ask the seller to determine its condition and a few vehicle tests you can perform to test the accuracy of their claims.

Things to Look for When Buying a Used Car: the Exterior

The exterior of a used car in Independence will help you determine how its previous owner treated the car. If there are a lot of dings and scratches on the body, that may be a red flag that indicates more serious damage to the vehicle. Worn out tires or mismatched tires is indicative of poor maintenance. The penny test will help you determine tire tread depth which will tell you if the previous owner rotated the tires regularly. To perform the penny test, insert a penny into a tire tread, and if Lincoln’s head is visible, then the tires need to be replaced.

Used cars on a lot

Things to Look for When Buying a Used Car: the Interior

When inspecting used cars, you should take a look inside the vehicle. Sit in every seat and check for sagging or torn upholstery. Make sure the levers work if the seats fold back. If there is wear within the car, you should keep a sharp eye out for hidden issues under the hood as interior damage is indicative of greater wear where it matters most.

Things to Look For When Buying a Used Car: Under the Hood

If you’re searching online for used Chevy trucks, you’re probably getting results for used car dealerships in your area. When it comes to buying a used truck near Manchester, it’s important to check under the hood because the state of the engine and motor will determine if the truck is capable of high-performance in its current condition. The engine and its components are the greatest determinants of the vehicle’s condition, so you need to be extra careful not to miss anything. Make sure to check the following:

  • Check that the radiator’s antifreeze is either green or orange.
  • Oil should be dark brown or black. Amber means the oil has been changed recently. If there are water droplets on the nozzle attached to the oil filter, that means it has recently blown a gasket.
  • Transmission fluid should be pink in color and smell like oil.
  • Brake and steering fluid should be filled up to the proper line.
  • Check under the car for oil leaks.

If you’re unsure of how to inspect a vehicle properly, consult a GM certified service technician, and they can walk you through checking a vehicle for potential maintenance issues.

How to Buy a Used Car at Birdnow Dealerships

Wondering, “How do I buy a used car?” Or are you debating, “When is the best time to buy a used car?” Birdnow Dealerships has the answer! You can easily buy a used car from one of our lots. Anytime is the best time to buy a used car at Birdnow Dealerships, as we’re always getting new used and certified pre-owned vehicles in.  Our used Silverado inventory can help Chevy enthusiasts get behind the wheel of our popular models at a discount. After you’ve taken a look at our online inventory, apply online for financing, or contact us for more information.

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