No used vehicle is 100% perfect. No matter how well the seller takes care of their precious set of wheels, there are bound to be some flaws here and there. The degree of damage will depend on exactly how well the previous owner maintained the vehicle inside and out. When shopping for a used vehicle, it’s good to look out for the following common cover-ups.
Squeaky Clean
A car that has recently been detailed could be hiding a problem or two. While a clean engine is a good thing, it could have been recently cleaned in order to hide an oil leak and to make the engine look more perfect than it really is. The easiest solution, in this case, is to make sure that the engine is inspected by a professional mechanic of your choice. Don’t let the seller choose for you! If they don’t want to let you use your mechanic, you might want to take your business elsewhere.
Seat Covers
Seat covers can help protect your car seats, and they look good too. Of course, they can also be used to hide problems with the existing seats such as cracked leather, cigarette burns, stains, and general wear and tear. Make sure that you take the time to look under all of the seat covers and inspect for damage. While you’re at it, check under the car mats too! Car mats are great for protecting the carpet below, but they can hide some nasty stains and carpet damage. Lift each mat to make sure that the interior really is as perfect as it looks.
Smells
Whether the seller is a smoker, has pets, or simply leads a busy lifestyle with plenty of hours in their car, the interior can take on an unpleasant smell. Look for auto air fresheners that could be located throughout the vehicle to mask the smell. Smells can be really difficult to get rid of once they have really set in, and the air freshener won’t last forever!
Low light conditions
If the seller is only available after hours, when natural lighting is less than ideal, you might want to proceed with caution. Low light makes it difficult to really inspect any vehicle. No matter the color, make, or model, you need adequate light to check each and every inch both inside and out. If the seller is not available at a reasonable time during the week, ask about viewing and a test drive over the weekend. If they are reluctant, you might want to look elsewhere.
Rushing the deal
This is an extremely common and often effective sales tactic. A seller might not have any other potential buyers, but they will lead the interested party to believe that they have offers all lined up. Even if the vehicle seems like an excellent deal and there really is a high demand, it’s never a good idea to rush through the inspection and buying process. Rushing the sale is all part of the plot to ensure that you don’t notice certain defects! Some of these defects might be minor, but others can prove rather costly and make the deal less than attractive. If the seller tries to use this tactic, you can turn it around by playing it cool and telling them that you are considering several options and that you’re not in any kind of hurry.
Remember, no matter which vehicle you choose; it’s important to make sure that you protect your investment. The right used vehicle extended warranty will give you the freedom and peace of mind to really enjoy driving your new set of wheels without worrying about possible problems that could set you back a small fortune.
Call A-protect Warranty at 1-866-660-6444 or (416)-661-7444 for more information and advice.