I bought a used Hyundai from a Hyundai dealership and am wondering if dealerships are supposed to run thorough inspections of their vehicles before they sell them. Do they replace the oil, transmission fluids, spark plugs, etc. before they put them on the lot? Or do they just assume everything is in excellent shape? Should I just follow the maintenance schedule in the handbook and assume the previous owner kept up with the maintenance schedule (and the dealership verified this) or go out and have everything checked out just to be sure?
2007-07-19 17:36:38 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The truth is that most people do not keep up with the maintenance on their vehicles. Never assume that a used vehicle is in good condition, not even a newer one.
Some dealerships make a point of inspecting the used vehicles in their inventory before they put them on the lot. Most (unfortunately) basically wash it, glue a sticker in the window, and hope nothing is too horribly wrong with it.
Take the car to a mechanic you trust and have him/her inspect it from bumper to bumper. If you haven't already bought a warranty for it (assuming the vehicle is new enough and has low enough miles on it), then you should seriously consider it. Don't buy it through the dealer though, you can buy the exact same warranty yourself without paying the dealer's markup.
Hope this helps!
2007-07-19 17:49:40 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A word of advice for anyone buying a used car:
Get it inspected first at another garage.
It might cost you anywhere between $50-$80 depending on how thorough the inspection is. But it is worth it.
We always put together an estimate for the customer of things that needed attention and/or fixing. This became a great bargaining tool for the customer. ("Fix these or I want the car for this amount since it will cost that much to get it fixed.")
Realize the dealer's job is to sell you a car at the highest price possible after putting the least amount of money into it. They may let a lot of things go just to make it more cost effective.
Matt
2007-07-20 08:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by mattfromasia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference between a certified dealer and a certified used car. If it was a certified used car, then all of the maintenance should have been taken care of, plus a more detailed inspection of a lot of other parts too.
To be sure, have a mechanic check the car out, if you have doubts about anything. good luck.
2007-07-20 00:45:21 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alot of folks ignore maintenance & most wouldn't do it just before trade in. Assume this & go through the entire maintenance. It's a small investment to assure a good running car. =^ )
2007-07-20 00:42:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they don't spend a lot of money on them,they drive them give them a once over look and trade for them,usually this is up to the buyer to do what needs to be done,they will fix anything that will make it not safe to drive,but that's about as far as it goes usually,if they re-did every car they took in,they wouldn't have a very high profit margin on any of their cars,good luck with it.
2007-07-20 00:44:26 · answer #5 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Certified", means it has been inspected and any problems found need to have been fixed or disclosed by the dealer.
It is state law and you are covered by state law regarding dealerships selling"certified cars".
see www.ca.gov
2007-07-20 01:45:54 · answer #6 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it a certified car it has a piece of paper that has a check list. It should say what was done. If you only bought a used car not a certified, you either bought a used car as is, or got screwed. do your homework.
2007-07-20 00:45:49 · answer #7 · answered by knowitall 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
then it should be certified
2007-07-20 00:40:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋