Repairs to Consider When Buying a Used Vehicle

Whether a used vehicle saves you money can heavily depend on its condition. In this blog post, we’ll cover basic points to keep in mind when buying used, some repairs that may be needed, and if buying a used vehicle is even worth it.

Car Purchase Pre-Inspection

After you’ve set your sights on a used car, ensure you have it inspected by a trusted mechanic. If the person or dealer you’re purchasing from doesn’t give you this opportunity, walk away.

Each province will also have its own laws governing the sale of used vehicles. In Ontario, for example, it’s illegal for a private individual to sell more than the car(s) they own. Anyone selling multiple cars without the proper dealer registration is doing so illegally, and you may find yourself in possession of a car that requires undisclosed repairs and may even have liens against it.

So, insist on a purchase pre-inspection.

Used Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs

A car can pass safety, but still rely on fluids that haven’t been changed in a while. So, after purchasing your used vehicle, have the fluids replaced unless you know for sure the previous owner did so recently.

You can easily switch out the oil and transmission fluids yourself. However, fluids like engine coolant, AWD differential and transfer case fluids, and brake fluid are usually better handled by an auto technician.

A used vehicle will generally have the same maintenance and repair needs as a new one, but depending on the age and condition, a used car may require more frequent maintenance checks and visits to the garage.

That’s another reason to insist on that car purchase pre-inspection: you’ll get an idea of what kind of care your new used wheels will need.

Car Post-Purchase

Just like a vehicle can pass safety without having all its fluids up to date, other components also needn’t be new to pass. For example, your brake pads may be safe but thin, tires may be safe but on their last journey, and engine and cabin filters may be safe but fairly dirty.

A purchase pre-inspection will help you know before you buy which of these (and many more) you’ll need to repair, replace, or diligently maintain.

Here are additional maintenance tips for your used vehicle:

• Follow the owner’s manual for your maintenance schedule.
• Make note of what components will require maintenance or repairs when so you don’t forget.
• Keep your used vehicle clean, especially in wet or snowy weather or after driving through rough roads.
• Ensure you have a spare tire, lug wrench, jack, and jack stands stored in the vehicle. These tools may be missing in a used vehicle.

A well-maintained used vehicle can last you years and cost you less upfront than a new one.

 Is It Worth It to Buy a Used Vehicle?

Buying a new vehicle has its advantages:

• a longer warranty
• generally fewer defects
• better fuel efficiency and technology
• often highly customizable

However, all that comes with a cost. Remember when laptops cost $5,000 for something that weighed as much as two bricks and used a monochrome screen?

Car technology can be the same way. For example, the chances of finding a used car with roll-up windows are probably slim because automatic windows have become standard. But backup cameras only became law in May 2018 in Canada. So, vehicles without them will probably cost less.

The best tip we can offer about buying used is to make a list of what your vehicle absolutely must have, what would be nice, and what it doesn’t need. If you find a used vehicle that fits the bill and your budget, pounce! Because they’re often one-of-a-kind. New vehicles are not.

Ensure you get that purchase pre-inspection, then go from there. If a used car fits your needs and wallet, it can be the most cost-effective purchase you can make. For any inspections, repairs, or maintenance tasks, bring your vehicle to a NAPA AUTOPRO service centre. Our technicians will be more than happy to help!

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