Shopping for a used car isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be this way. When shopping for a new-to-you vehicle, you may come across less-than-trustworthy vehicles. Instead of taking a gamble on a used car purchase, take advantage of vehicle history reports.
Maintenance, accidents, and previous owners
A vehicle history report is a collection of information about a used vehicle. These reports contain information like when the vehicle was manufactured, sold, maintained, and if it has been in any accidents.
Through a vehicle history report, you can see how many owners a car had, if the car was well-maintained by its previous owner(s) and if the car has been in any accidents that would alter the vehicle’s performance.
Mileage
When inspecting a vehicle history report, be sure to check the mileage on the report and compare it to the mileage on the dashboard.
If these numbers don’t line up, the car may have been altered. This can be a red flag, so consider looking at other cars if this happens to you.
Recalls
You also want to look for open recalls when evaluating a vehicle history report. If the car you’re interested in has an open recall, you want to make sure you can afford the necessary repairs before going ahead with the purchase. In some cases, it’s better to turn down a car with an open recall than to purchase it.
Free vehicle history report
Some dealerships offer free CarFax or AutoCheck vehicle history reports to make things easier for you. However, if the dealership you’re working with doesn’t offer these services, you can check for a vehicle history report by researching the car’s VIN online.
Shop at Marianna Toyota
Now that you know the importance of a vehicle history report, you’re ready to shop for a pre-owned vehicle at Marianna Toyota. You can trust our selection of used cars, so visit us at 2961 Pennsylvania Ave. in Marianna, FL, today!