What Used Cars NOT to Buy

“I’m shopping for a used vehicle. How do I know what used cars NOT to buy?”

This is a great question! If you’re new to the used-car-buying process, then you’ll need to know

What Used Cars Not to Buy – Borderland Chevrolet Buick GMC

how to spot a “lemon” from a mile off. This isn’t always easy to do, however. Far too often, people end up driving home with a worse vehicle! But if you understand what used cars not to buy, then you won’t have to worry about getting stuck with a used vehicle that you hate!

So, how do you know what used cars NOT to buy? What are some of the main red flags in the used-car-buying process, and how do you identify those red flags before you get sucked into a contract?

Let’s go through them one by one.

Sign number one: the vehicle has a long list of major maintenance and repairs.

Repairs, repairs, and even more repairs — If the vehicle has a lengthy maintenance and repair history, then it’s probably a lemon. While regular tune-ups are standard and responsible, major repairs and maintenance are a serious red flag. This typically means that the vehicle has been in at least one accident or it is an older, high-maintenance vehicle.

Let’s not forget: past behavior is typically the best predictor for future behavior. So, if the vehicle has required major maintenance and expensive repairs several times it he past, then chances are, it’ll require even more maintenance and repairs in the future!

So, how can you tell if the vehicle has required major maintenance and repairs? Check its Carfax vehicle history report! Carfax will often show when and where major repairs were performed.

Sign number two: the car has been in at least one accident.

Accidents happen! But If the vehicle has been in at least one major accident, then you may not want to purchase that vehicle. Vehicles that have required major repairs are often less reliable as a result. If you purchase a vehicle that has been in at least one major accident, then you run the risk of having to invest in more major maintenance and repairs in the future!

So, how do you know if a vehicle has been in a major accident? Again: check the Carfax! If the vehicle was involved in a major accident, then that accident will be reported to Carfax. It will then be included in the vehicle’s Carfax vehicle history report.

Sign number three: the car is over 100,000 miles.

If the vehicle is well over 100,000 miles, then it’s not worth buying. On average, most vehicles have a life expectancy of roughly 200,000 miles, but it’s rare that a vehicle actually makes it to the 200,000 miles mark. Most vehicles end up breaking down well before they reach 200,000 miles! So, if you purchase a used vehicle that is already over 100,000 miles, then it may only last you a year or two before it breaks down completely!

Don’t want to have to worry about what used cars not to buy?

Then let us help! Borderland Chevrolet Buick GMC is a widely trusted and highly rated used car dealer in Arizona. We make it easy to find the perfect used vehicle at the perfect price. All of our used vehicles are in mint-condition, and we give you full access to Carfax vehicle history reports for every single used vehicle on our lot.

Stop stressing about what used cars NOT to buy, and let us help you find the perfect used car for you! Browse our online inventory today!