When shopping for a good used car, some people consider car rental businesses as a possible source for a good deal. After all, these companies have to make sure their fleet of cars are working well and maintained properly.
Although this is usually the case, you still have to consider how many miles are on the car. Most used rental cars have between 25,000 to 40,000 miles before they are sent out to pasture for sale.
But also consider that the average rental car is left in service much longer than before, about 18 months, which may affect wear and tear on the vehicle.
Beware of LemonsSometimes car models are purchased for rental car fleets that turn out to be unreliable. Check consumer magazines or online for the repair history of the cars you are interested in so see which models to avoid.
No Accident RecordsSome rental car companies provide their own insurance, and as a result they don’t have to “report” the accident, which means the incidents may not be documented. If the car doesn’t have a CarFax report, the only way to really see if a car has sustained substantial damage through an accident is to bring a mechanic friend along to inspect it.
Your mechanic can also look over the overall condition of the car and may be able to spot problems with the electrical system, engine, and suspension of the car.
Fair Market ValueKnow what the going price is for the car you are interested in buying. If it is equal to or even a bit less than what it costs from private parties, you should be doing fine. In some cases rental car companies will tack on extras such as extended warranties, free roadside assistance for a year, and other perks.
Check for ComplaintsNot all car rental companies are created equal. While the majority of the legwork is up to the customer, as far as checking out the condition of a used car, some rental companies have very poor or non-existent customer service.
The salespeople of car rental companies can differ quite a lot from the main car rental business. Some are very good, while others won’t know a thing about the cars they are selling and will just make things up.
Check online to see which firms have the highest customer satisfaction for used car purchases.
Source:
Rankingsandreviews.com