It’s becoming more popular to buy a used crossover SUV, as you can get a high-quality used vehicle for a much lower price than you’d pay for a new model. Also, auto dealerships perform stringent checks on used cars, ensuring their preowned vehicles are in good condition. Still, when you purchase a used SUV instead of a new one, there are extra things to consider. Here’s a quick checklist from our experts at Smart Cars by Wieland.
What To Look For When Buying a Used SUV
If you’re looking for a used car in Pittsboro, North Carolina, start by establishing the age of the SUV you’re thinking of buying. Whether it’s a used Chevy or a preowned Honda, ask for documentation or check the car’s vehicle identification number. Once you’ve determined the age of the car, you can judge the vehicle’s condition, and you’ll know what problems to look out for.
At our dealership, this part of the process is easy, as we thoroughly inspect all our used cars before they make it into our showroom. This allows us to provide you with key information about them.
Remember to check the used SUV’s odometer, keeping in mind that a typical driver covers about 12,000 to 15,000 miles each year. This is a rough guide, so if the mileage on the odometer varies considerably from this, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle is a bad choice, but you should be on the lookout for certain problems.
An SUV with significantly more miles on the clock than average may have suffered more wear and tear. Conversely, a vehicle that hasn’t covered many miles over a long period may have developed problems with its components. A lack of mileage may also point to a serious problem that kept it off the road for a long time. For more information, request a copy of the vehicle history report, which details its maintenance record and any major repairs that have been carried out.
You should also confirm whether the SUV still has warranty coverage in case problems emerge later. Pittsboro car dealers such as ours include this information with all preowned vehicles, and you can also purchase extended warranties to provide coverage for cars that no longer have a factory warranty.
Financing and Negotiating Your Purchase
Once you’ve determined the condition of the used SUV you’re buying from your preferred auto broker in Pittsboro, you can start thinking about how much it’s worth. If you’re shopping through a private market, you’re not obliged to offer the seller the amount they’re asking for. This is especially true if you notice any issues that will require money to resolve. If you’ve identified one or two modest problems that you’re happy to pay to have fixed, you can use these issues to explain why you’re offering a lower price.
Pittsboro, North Carolina, car dealers often offer used car financing, which is an effective way to pay for your purchase. At Smart Cars by Wieland, you can secure a used car loan to purchase an SUV from our showroom.
If you want to lower the amount you need to borrow, consider making a down payment toward your loan or selling us your existing vehicle. By using our vehicle valuation tool, you can get a quick cash offer for your vehicle. Borrowing less means lower monthly payments going forward, and this may allow you to invest in extras, such as accessories or an extended warranty.
Purchase Inspections
Once you’ve decided to purchase an SUV from one of the car lots in Pittsboro, North Carolina, you should get a professional auto technician to thoroughly inspect it. This is essential if you’re buying through a private market, as it’s harder to trust a seller you don’t know than a dealership with a strong reputation.
The purchase inspection may uncover issues with the vehicle that you wouldn’t notice. As the purchaser, this is an important safeguard, as you’ll have a clear idea of the potential costs that you could face. If there are serious hidden problems, you could consider making a much lower offer or pulling out of the purchase entirely.
Maintaining Your Used SUV in Pittsboro, North Carolina
After your purchase is complete, it’s important to stick to a strict maintenance schedule to get the best performance out of the vehicle. Tire rotations, oil changes, and fluid top-ups can keep vehicles running longer and improve their performance for years to come. Car dealerships in Pittsboro, North Carolina, offer high-quality auto servicing and repairs to keep your SUV running smoothly. We can carry out work that’s covered by your warranty, and we also offer competitively priced service contracts to give you peace of mind for years to come.
As your vehicle ages, regular multipoint inspections become increasingly important. Used tires will wear out, brake pads will need changing, and batteries will require testing. A multipoint inspection is part of a preventive maintenance regimen that involves one of our mechanics checking common problem areas to identify any issues before they become serious. We can then fix these issues before they cause extensive damage. We can include a free multipoint inspection as part of each maintenance visit to our service center.
Find Your Next Used Car at Smart Cars by Wieland
Now that you know some of the key steps in shopping for a used car, we hope you feel more confident about buying a used SUV. To learn more about our instant cash offer, or to get advice about buying used cars in Pittsboro, North Carolina, feel free to reach out to our auto professionals or give us a call at 919-542-1599. We’d be delighted to help you find the perfect used vehicle for your needs and set up an auto loan to conclude your purchase.
Black Jeep Suv on Black Asphalt Road Near on Snowy Grass Lawn by Mike Bird is licensed with Pexels License.
