Blog / Vehicle Tips

Shopping for a Used Car? Don't Skip These Red Flags

So, you see an ad on Craigslist or Facebook posted by someone selling their vehicle. The ad sounds great – and so does the price. Should you go for it? The answer is…maybe. Peruzzi Toyota has years of experience working with customers who want a reliable, affordable used car. You can see their fleet of well-cared-for, pre-owned vehicles at their Hatfield, PA location. But in case you’re itching to check out that Craigslist ad, here are warning signs to be aware of.  
  • The interior smells of cigarette smoke. It’s a smell that’s notoriously hard to get rid of, no matter how much you clean or how much air-freshener you use. As time goes on, it will only get worse, so if you catch a whiff, best to pass.
  • The oil is dirty. Old oil will be dark and likely contain dirt and other contaminants. This is a sign that one of the most key maintenance tasks has been neglected. What else did the owner overlook?
  • The coolant is low and/or dirty. As long as you’re checking out the oil, have a look at the coolant level. If it’s not topped off, that’s another sign that the vehicle has been ignored.
  • Signs of neglect. Lots of dings, dents, stains, or interior smells may indicate that bigger things – like the engine – may have also been overlooked over time. And no matter how good the deal sounds, you could wind up paying a lot more in the future.
  • Fake “fix its.” Some sellers try to cover up certain issues with fast, cheap “band aids.” Take a closer look to see what they may be hiding.
  • Signs of accident damage. It may look like a minor fender-bender, but if you spot what looks like damage from an accident, ask about it. Get the details on what happened and how it was repaired. While you’re at it, ask for the repair and warranty paperwork.
  • Check the records. Most owners have some kind of documentation as to how the vehicle was kept up or repaired, like records of oil changes or installation of new brakes. If the seller doesn’t have them, follow up with questions about any accidents, etc.
  Of course, one way to be confident of your used-car purchase is to check out Peruzzi Toyota’s wide-selection of pre-owned vehicles at our Hatfield, PA location. They’re thoroughly inspected to ensure reliability. So, come and check it out!  
Posted in:

Related Posts

A Part Of Your Car You Shouldn't Ignore

You know when you need to put gas in your car. You probably (or should) get regular oil changes. But what’s the other vehicle part that needs regular attention? Your tires. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA want drivers to be super-safe on the road; too often, our service department sees tires that are ignored. Here are four things to make part of your maintenance routine. INSPECT YOUR TIRES Tires are the point of contact between you and the road. From rocks and rough surfaces, to driving over glass, nails and more, they can be damaged. You might not know it at first, so make it a regular practice to check your tires for punctures, cuts or bulges. These can turn into a dangerous problem when you least expect it. CHECK YOUR PRESSURE Tires at the wrong pressure affect your mileage, comfort, and longevity of the tires themselves. Get in the habit of checking tire pressure every month (including that of your spare). You’ll find the recommended tire pressure for your Toyota either inside the driver’s side door or owner’s manual. ROTATE YOUR TIRES Rotating your tires regularly helps them wear evenly and extends their life. It also improves performance on the road. The technicians at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield recommend tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. WHEEL ALIGNMENTS Little things can knock your wheels out of alignment, and you may not notice it at first. However, uneven wear on the tread, wheels pulling to one side, or decreased fuel efficiency are indicators that you need an alignment. Many drivers tend to take their tires for granted. As you can see, showing them a little more love will improve your comfort, safety and fuel efficiency on the road. Stop by Peruzzi Toyota and let our experienced technicians get you set up for a great ride!

Give Your Toyota A Spring Cleaning

Now that the wintry weather is (mostly) behind us, time to spruce up your Toyota for the warmer weather. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA stands ready to give your vehicle the internal spring time maintenance it needs, like oil changes, checking brakes and fluids. But here are smart things you can do to make your ride the best-looking on the block! Start by thoroughly cleaning out the interior. Check under the seats and in all cargo areas. Use a vacuum attachment to get in between the seats to pick up crumbs and remove dust on the console. Don’t forget sticky cupholders and any pockets. Pull out the mats and either shake them out or vacuum them. Run the vacuum over all carpeted surfaces as well as the upholstery. Use upholstery cleaner on both carpet and cloth materials; once it dries, vacuum one more time. For rubber mats, hose them down. Wipe down your console, dash, gear shift, cup holders, steering wheel with a spray cleaner safe for car interiors. You might want to restore shine with a product like Armor-All. Clean the interior of the windows and rearview mirror. Now, tackle the outside with a good old-fashioned sudsing. Use an auto-safe cleaner; don’t ignore the wheel wells which accumulate a lot of grit. Dry with soft towels, then apply a coat of wax to protect the surface from damaging sun rays. You might want to hit the tires with some Armor-All as well to shine ‘em up (and don’t forget to check the pressure and inflate as needed). Once your car is all spiffed up, consider how to keep it that way. Look into “organizers” for the cargo area. Keep a trash bag (or two) handy inside, plus wipes to clean up any spills. Make it a new rule to remove things like empty cups, fast-food bags or the like at least a few times a week. Now, go out and enjoy the warmer weather!

What To Know About Selling Your Vehicle

It was in the news last year, and it’s still true: the demand for used vehicles is at an all-time high. While the supply chain issues that slowed down production of new cars and trucks have eased a bit, people are still in the market for quality pre-owned vehicles like the ones you’ll find at Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield, PA. They’ve been handling that side of the business for years and offer these useful insights if you’ve been thinking about selling your car. One big misconception is that you’ll make more money selling privately versus through a reputable dealer. But there’s often unforeseen hassles associated with the private route. People who don’t show up, those who haggle, on and on and on. Dealers like Peruzzi, on the other hand, have access to the most current value of your vehicle along with a network of potential buyers. They can provide a thorough inspection to assure you get top dollar, then make you an offer on the spot. That saves you a ton of time, effort – and headaches. Peruzzi Toyota in Hatfield also leverages technology to check the current inventory of your particular car or truck around the area, plus the local demand. We do the online legwork to provide you with the most honest, transparent picture of what you can expect should you decide to sell. Pre-owned Toyotas remain among the most in-demand vehicles; they routinely make it onto the top 10 list of the most popular used cars every year. If you’re ready to refresh your ride for 2023, let Peruzzi Toyota simplify the process and give you the best deal available for your car. Of course, we also make it easy to get into a brand-new Toyota with our friendly professionals and easy financing. Reach out to us to learn more!