Save Time, Money and Headaches When Buying a Pre-Owned Car

Are you considering buying a pre-owned vehicle? That’s a money-savvy choice when you consider that the value of new cars drops substantially as soon as you drive it off the lot.

One key to purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is finding one that is safe and is going to be reliable for you. Finding that trouble-free used car isn’t about being lucky. It’s about taking a bit of time and effort, doing your homework research, and having the vehicle inspected by a professional auto technician, like the team here at Hong Kong Auto Service.

Too many consumers jump into buying a used vehicle without taking this easy, affordable and smart step. It can save you loads of time and hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars, while giving you peace of mind.

Why Do People Skip This Important Step?

The reasons for this vary, but in most cases, it comes down to money. You are trying to save money by purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, so why spend more to check it out?

Others place their trust in a family relative, certain that “Uncle John knows a good car when he sees one.” Believe it or not, some people are afraid of insulting the seller, afraid that the seller will feel slighted if they don’t believe their story about vehicle maintenance. While others are afraid of appearing ignorant about vehicles or that they will get a hassle from the seller.

Whatever the reason, the fact remains that an inspection before purchase can save you tons of money, time and headaches down the road.

Considering a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle?

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles are very popular at dealerships. Many buyers trust that the dealership has actually performed a thorough inspection and made any necessary repairs. Most dealerships also offer a limited warranty, even roadside assistance in some cases.

All of the above ends up increasing the price, however, and things aren’t always what they seem.

Remember that nearly every seller will have a car detailed and looking as sharp as possible. A good looking, ultra-clean vehicle does not mean that it was well-maintained or is problem free.

While some dealers proudly boast that their pre-owned cars go through a 150-point checklist, this in no way means that 150 parts were replaced.

There is also a difference between a dealer’s CPO and the manufacturer’s CPO. Check the sticker on the window to ensure that this is a manufacturer’s certified pre-owned vehicle, such as Ford, not Joe’s Ford New and Used Car dealership pre-owned vehicle.

Why is this important? 

1. A manufacturer’s CPO means you can return the car to any new-car dealership for repairs. Just be certain that you keep a copy of the CPO in the car.
2. A CPO from a used car dealer (or even from the used car lot at a dealership) can only be returned to THAT dealership for repairs. Some dealer CPO’s will reimburse you if you were out of town and used another dealership to have repairs done, but not all. Always read the fine print!

You should also check the warranty and know what it covers before you buy. If you are not familiar with cars or if you are unsure what some of the terminology means, bring along someone who does know or bring a copy of the warranty to the team here at Hong Kong Auto Service. We can help review the terms and point out any areas of concern.

This would also be a good time to have us look over the warranty coverage and inspect the vehicle, even if it is a CPO. Don’t put blind trust in a dealership and assume that the car is 100 percent okay simply because they say so.

Save Time, Money, and Headaches

Perhaps very little in life is more frustrating than buying what you believe is a great used car, only to end up with problems shortly afterwards. You can avoid many of the most common problems people face with used cars by following a few steps:

1. Do Some Research. Check out the make and model you are interested in online. See if multiple complaints about similar issues are reported. Carfax is a very helpful service, and well worth the price, for determining if the vehicle has been in accidents or was salvaged.
2. Check Pricing. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. A quick online search will reveal the current asking price for the vehicle you are interested in. Mileage and appearance counts, but if a vehicle is typically about $35K and you see one in “pristine” condition selling for $20K, you know something is up.
3. Call the Dealer. If you are buying from a private seller, you can copy the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and call a dealer. They should be able to run the number and tell you if the car has any outstanding recalls that need to be performed or if that model has any Technical Service Bulletins (TSB). These are typically items that are not safety related, which means a recall wasn’t necessary, but they are known problems. Some dealers might not be willing to give this information over the phone, but it would be worth going to a dealer to talk to a service advisor about them.
4. Take a Test Drive. The vehicle should be cold when you drive it, meaning the car hasn’t been run in at least one hour. Be sure that your test drive includes turns in both directions, bumps, and hopefully, freeway speeds. This should reveal any unusual noises or steering problems. Park the vehicle in a parking lot and look at the body from a short distance. Dealer lots with bright lights can hide paint variations and uneven surfaces.
5. Inspect Around and Under the Vehicle Yourself First. Even those who are unfamiliar with cars should be able to recognize worn tires, inoperable lights (interior and exterior), and any leaks under the vehicle or in the engine compartment.
6. Take the Vehicle to an Auto Repair Shop for an Inspection. If the seller gives you a hassle, you have to wonder what it is they are hiding. Hong Kong Auto Service will be happy to do a thorough inspection and present you with a detailed list of what we inspected and our opinion on the vehicle’s overall condition.

Don’t Be Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

The old saying of being penny wise and pound foolish certainly applies in this area. For just a few hours and a few dollars, you can buy peace of mind and not worry that you purchased someone else’s problem.

Hong Kong Auto Service employs ASE-Certified Technicians who are experts in all types of vehicles. We not only inspect your pre-owned vehicle before purchase, but can provide everything you need to keep your investment running at its best. Whether it needs regular maintenance or repairs, you can trust the qualified mechanics at Hong Kong Auto Service to help you get the most out of your vehicle. Contact us to set up an appointment to have your pre-owned car inspected and we will be sure to give you advice based on our expert experience.