How Safe is a Used Car
One of the common misconceptions with used cars is that they are unsafe vehicles, which is why someone chose to sell or trade-in their vehicle in the first place. In some cases, this can be true, but when working with a reputable used and pre-owned car dealer, vehicles go through a thorough vetting process before ever being sold.
Many of the people we see come in for trade-ins or to sell their vehicle aren’t selling or trading because of an accident or malfunction, but because they’re looking for something different than what they’re currently driving. Families grow and trade-in sedans for minivans, retirees are looking for the dream car they’ve always talked about, people get new jobs and need vehicles that can better handle a commute. Some of these cars, trucks, and SUVs hardly have any miles on them and just ended up not being the right fit for the individual, separate from any engine or part malfunctions.
Buying a Used Car Through a Safe and Reputable Dealer
One of the reasons buying a car online or through a friend of a friend can be tricky is because there’s no assurance of service history, maintenance records, or accident reports. With a reputable dealer, they should only sell a car, truck, or SUV after first going through a thorough multi-point inspection.
Ensuring Used Car Safety with a Multi-Point Inspection
A multi-point inspection is a full check of all systems in the car, including the engine, fuel system, exhaust system, cooling system, lubrication system, electrical system, transmission, and the chassis (brakes, wheels, tires, body, and suspension). This inspection will determine if there are any outstanding issues.
Once the inspection has been completed, any underlying issues should be addressed, whether that be replacing old windshield wipers and bald tires, to repairing cracks in the windshield or refilling any fluids. They also typically replace air filters, tighten any loose belts, replace old spark plugs, replace worn-down brake pads, and any other minor issues that could cause further problems down the road.
Used Car Accident Reports
Accident reports are an important part of a used car’s history. Whether the vehicle has been through zero accidents or several, consumers need to know in order to make an informed decision. When you purchase a used car from a reputable dealer, you should always be given a detailed CarFax accident report to help you make the best decision with your money.
Maintenance and Service Reports for a Used Car
Another important thing you should receive from a used or pre-owned dealership is an AutoCheck history report. An AutoCheck report summarizes a vehicle’s complete history and gives you a score about the health of that vehicle. That score can also be compared to other vehicles you’re looking into purchasing to see which vehicle might be the best fit. It even predicts how likely it is that the car will still be on the road and drivable in five years. The AutoCheck score is determined by checking your vehicle’s VIN number across the following data points:
- Accidents
- Mileage
- Title changes (salvaged, repossessed, stolen, etc)
- Damage (frame, water, accident)
- If the make or model has ever been branded a “lemon”
Work with a Reputable Dealer in Pelham, AL to Purchase a Safe Used Car
While no one can ever guarantee total safety on the road, there is a lot of due diligence you can do to prevent unnecessary costs and unsafe vehicle conditions. At Donohoo Auto in Pelham, AL, we believe in transparency and simplicity. That’s why we only sell vehicles that have been through our detailed, multi-point inspection.
Plus, we offer a no-haggle pricing model, meaning you don’t have to go through a bargaining process with a salesperson. The price you see is the price you get, because you should never pay more for a vehicle simply because you didn’t want to argue the cost down.
Test drive your next vehicle at Donohoo Auto off Helena Rd. in Pelham, AL, voted Best of Birmingham as the “Best Place to Buy a Car.”
