Top 7 Tips for Buying a Used Luxury Car
Top 7 Tips for Buying a Used Luxury Car
Posted on October 21, 2018
However, before buying any used posh luxury car, it’s important to make a purchasing decision based on facts, rather than emotions to avoid surprising pitfalls. So, we have listed a few simple tips for you to keep in mind to help you save money, time and headaches.
- Proper scanning of the Vehicle
Buying a car involves our emotions and often we choose a used luxury vehicle based on looks alone. However, various aspects are to be researched before making a purchasing decision, like the crash test data, resale values, performance, mileage, cost of repairing, etc. These classy cars involve high-tech machinery with numerous sensors, controllers, computers, and modules. Therefore, it is necessary to have a full diagnostic scan of the vehicle you’re considering by a dealer technician. Scanning will help you in revealing all the concealed issues and potential problems that might occur.
- Find a trustworthy dealer
Don’t simply make a purchase decision based on a vehicle’s model, color, or mileage. It is important to do some research to find the right dealer by checking their warranty, years in business, and service ratings. Best dealerships focus on quality and the overall satisfaction of the new owner. Don’t get tempted by the looks and lowest price. The performance or history of the vehicle plays an important role in the long-run. The best auto brokers or dealers offer some standard warranty.
- Vehicle inspection by an authorized dealer
Another important step is to get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) done by a reliable dealer. The vehicle you are considering may have many hidden technical issues that only a trained technician can inspect. A PPI not only helps in revealing potential problems but also helps in negotiating them into your pricing. Moreover, ask the dealer for software updates to avoid headaches of unexpected system failure. Thus, PPI has long-term benefits by ensuring trouble-free operation.
- Check the Central Command System
It doesn’t matter that the vehicle you’re considering is COMAND (Mercedes) or RTI (Lexus), or any other high-end central command interface, make sure to check the central command system controller. This is to ensure that the central command interface is not malfunctioning; otherwise, you will need a software update or total replacement. Check the display screen, controller, and all associated buttons for proper functioning.
- Air Suspension may cause issues
Avoid going for luxury sedan models equipped with some form of air suspension system. This is because, after some years, air suspension-equipped cars become vulnerable to leaks or fails. However, still, if you want to go for it, make sure to get extended warranty coverage to protect you from repair costs.
- Check for Modifications
People tend to modify their luxury sedans to turn up engine power by upgrading computer chips or tunes, particularly on turbocharged or supercharged models. Therefore, make sure to check if the vehicle is heavily modified using cheap parts. It is important to note that tough modified engine management software can make the car more powerful, it could also damage it.
- Test Drive
Finally, the last and the most important part of the research process is the test drive. Make sure to spend some time to check each and every high-tech luxury feature fitted to the vehicle before you hit the road.
Always remember, buying a used vehicle doesn’t mean to compromise with quality. To crack the best deal, find the right auto dealer and investigate every possible aspect of the luxury car you’re considering.