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!

Tags: red flags, used car
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