PURCHASING A PRE-OWNED LUXURY VEHICLE PART II: THE HOW
In Part I, we covered the why (not that you needed much convincing). In Part II, we’re covering the how.
Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is a daunting task on its own. Make it a luxury vehicle and a little more you have to splash out and it can become even more daunting. You want to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth and spending money on a vehicle in good nick, we get it.
So we chatted to some of our salesman for their advice on what to look out for and pay attention to when it comes to purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, and then summed it up into the following three important aspects.
Do Your Research
Know what vehicle you want, what you can afford and what you’re actually looking for in a vehicle, then research, research, research!
What are the pros and cons? What is its average lifespan? What features does it boast? How does it fare compared to other luxury vehicles in its price range? What warranty programmes are included? What do the maintenance costs look like? Etc.
Read reviews and make sure you know all about the vehicle you’re wanting to purchase so that you can make an independently informed decision.
Play Inspector
Buying a luxury vehicle isn’t a cheap purchase so make sure that what you’re buying is in good condition. You need to know the following and ask your salesman about:
- Previous owners
- Service history
- Previous accidents
- Mileage
- Overall condition
- Previous use
- Recent repairs
Be meticulous in these checks. Take your time and ask as many questions as possible, you’re allowed to. You can also ask for documentation to certify the above points. If the salesman can’t produce it, be sceptical.
If you’re still not 100% sure, get an independent, certified third party to inspect the vehicle too and provide you with a report.
Test Drive
It’s all good and well looking at the vehicle and everything seems to be fine, but you drive away from the dealership and the problems start revealing themselves one by one. It’s therefore essential to test drive the vehicle before purchasing it.
Listen our for any unusual sounds and squeals, pay attention to how it drives (are there any vibrations, rattles or bumps), check the alignment and play around with everything – get comfortable with the vehicle.
You need to make sure that you’re happy with the fact that this will be your vehicle for the next couple of years. Don’t be afraid to test drive the vehicle more than once.
Finally, and this one is important so we threw it in, for free! Make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable dealership, experienced in what they do and trusted in the industry, and then make sure you query about their warranties and after-sales services.
At Pharoah, we’re specialists in pre-owned luxury vehicles and have built firm, trusted relationships with high-end, exclusive brands to offer the highest quality pre-owned luxury vehicles.
It’s not just about the sale for us. It’s the process of welcoming you to the Pharoah family and matching you up with your dream vehicle.
Start your journey today.