What to Check When Buying a Pre-Owned Car

When you know what things to check when buying a pre-owned car, you’ll be in a position to get more enjoyment out of every mile. All of the pre-owned cars for sale at Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield live up to our own high standards, and Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles offer peace of mind with warranty coverage and roadside assistance—but no matter what path you decide to take, knowing what to check when buying a pre-owned car can make the process much more enjoyable from start to finish.

Five Things to Check When Buying a Pre-Owned Car

Your pre-owned car research should begin before you start looking at local inventories, and long before you visit a dealership or a person’s home to check out the vehicle in person. Buying pre-owned means that you’ll have access to a vast wealth of data on reliability and performance that can help to inform your decision. Although this information isn’t a substitute for the in-person inspection, it can certainly point you in the right direction.

Now, let’s say that you’ve already done your research, and you’ve found a great pre-owned car within your budget. You’ve seen how many miles it has, and you’ve decided that it’s a solid purchase. This is what you should check before you buy a pre-owned car:

Vehicle History Report

A vehicle’s service history is a very strong indicator of its likely reliability. If you can see that a vehicle has been well maintained, it’s probably at least as reliable as your online research has suggested. With a history report, you can also check to see if the vehicle has been in any accidents. Models with structural damage are less reliable, and should be avoided.

Suspension and Tires

Tires can tell you a lot about a vehicle, and if there are odd differences between the treadwear on each tire, it’s likely that there’s some underlying issue with how the car steers or handles. Small differences in treadwear are ok; the vehicle may just be overdue for alignment or rotation. It’s also a good idea to push down on each of the vehicle’s four corners to see how the suspension functions. If it feels off, you might want to look elsewhere.

Interior

Use your eyes and your nose to inspect the cabin. You’ll want to be especially wary if you notice any signs of water damage or leakage. Of course, you’ll also want to test out as many features as possible on your test drive. If certain features aren’t working, you might be able to use that information in your negotiation.

Under the Hood

Of course, it’s a good idea to look under the hood as well! With the engine off, pop the hood and check for a smell of burnt oil. You should also check your fluid levels and peek under the oil cap for signs of sludge, which can indicate spotty maintenance. A cold start can also tell you a lot about a vehicle’s engine, so be on the lookout for odd noises or smoke when you start the vehicle.

Around/Under the Vehicle

If you notice that fluids are leaking beneath the vehicle, you should prepare yourself to make at least a few repairs if you buy the pre-owned car. Extensive rust is also something you’ll want to watch out for, since it weakens the vehicle’s structural integrity and can lead to a greater need for repairs over time.

Additional Checks for Peace of Mind

If you’re interested in a pre-owned car, you can always bring it to our service center—or another trusted Westport-area mechanic—and ask them to look it over. If the seller objects, proceed with caution. There’s probably something that they don’t want you to know!

Find Your Next Vehicle at Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield

If you’re looking for dependable pre-owned vehicles near Norwalk or Weston, then rest assured that you’ve already come to the right place! We offer plenty of options, including CPO models and pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles in white. Take advantage of our pre-owned vehicle specials and schedule your test drive today.