At Bountiful Mazda, Utah, we offer an extensive inventory of high-quality used vehicles at great value. When looking for exceptional deals on used cars in Bountiful, you can discover superb offers among our used car specials. You'll find models from our Mazda range and vehicles from other popular manufacturers.
Purchasing a used car has many benefits over a brand-new one, with the main one being the price. You must be careful when choosing a pre-owned vehicle. To avoid buying a lemon, look for signs of how the car's been driven and treated. Read on for the best way to buy a used car.
Many car buyers can't resist the attraction of a brand-new vehicle with no mileage on the odometer, a new car smell, and the knowledge that it hasn't been driven before. Savvy shoppers and those on a tighter budget know that a used vehicle represents much better value for money than a new one.
One of the biggest benefits of buying a pre-owned vehicle is the price. A three- or four-year-old car will save you thousands of dollars compared to the cost of buying the equivalent new model. Many automakers don't update their vehicle for several model years, so a well-maintained used car is hard to tell from a new one. Within your budget, you can get a higher-spec vehicle with more of the desirable features you want.
Depreciation is another factor. Vehicles suffer the most depreciation in the first two or three years, and some new cars lose up to 20% of their value the moment they leave the dealership. When you buy a used car, you know that it depreciates much more slowly and retains more of its trade-in value.
With a pre-owned vehicle, you may also benefit from lower insurance premiums. One of the factors insurers use to calculate your premium is the vehicle replacement cost if it's totaled or stolen. As a new car costs considerably more to replace than a used car, your auto insurance should be lower. These factors mean that buying a used car can be a wise financial decision for many buyers.
The downside of buying a used car is that you don't know how it's been driven or treated, so it's essential to thoroughly check the vehicle before parting with your hard-earned cash.
Look around the car's exterior and check the bodywork for rust, dents, and scratches. Minor scratches and dings are part of normal wear and tear, but you should be concerned about larger areas of damage. Check for misaligned body panels and poorly matched paintwork that could indicate poorly repaired accident damage. Open and close the trunk, hood, and doors to make sure they move smoothly and don't have excessive gaps. Inspect the inside of the openings for paint overspray that may indicate past repairs.
For the interior, sit in the front and rear seats and check the upholstery for excessive wear and tear. Test that each seatbelt works properly. If you notice musty or damp odors, inspect the carpets and floor mats for indications of water damage. Remember to check the trunk for leaks and that the tools and spare tire are there.
Before starting the engine, turn the ignition on to check if all the dashboard lights come on, and don't remain on when you start the car. When the vehicle is running, listen for any clicking, tapping, or knocking sounds. During the test drive, take the car on various types of roads at varying speeds to experience how it runs in different conditions. Ensure the brakes stop the vehicle smoothly and in a straight line. After the drive, check under the engine and transmission for any leaks that could indicate a problem.
A vehicle history report from CARFAX or AutoCheck provides insight into how a used car has been treated. It shows information on the number of previous owners, whether it was owned commercially or privately, its accident history, its service records, and more.
Buying a used car from a private seller can be a hassle. To be sure you're not getting a lemon, you should pay for an independent inspection to identify any issues. You'll also need to pay a fee for the vehicle history report. If you consider several vehicles, you must travel between different locations, and your time and costs can also mount up. To finalize the purchase, you must complete all the paperwork.
When you buy a used car from a reputable dealer, such as Bountiful Mazda, you have the peace of mind of the backing of a well-established and trusted dealership. You can view and test drive a great choice of vehicles in one convenient location. Most of our used vehicles come with free CARFAX and Experian AutoCheck vehicle history reports.
The next best thing to buying a new car is to purchase a Certified Pre-Owned Mazda. CPO vehicles undergo a rigorous 160-point inspection and come with a 12-month/12,000-mile limited vehicle warranty and a 7-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance, giving you total peace of mind. We can arrange low-cost finance and take care of your financing and registration paperwork.
Take the next step toward driving home in your dream car with Bountiful Mazda. Visit our dealership or browse our used car inventory online. Contact us today to schedule a test drive. Check our pre-owned specials for great deals on select used vehicles. Choosing a used car from Bountiful Mazda may be your best decision ever.