| Rental cars are usually a safe bet when it comes to | | | | cars for customers having their cars serviced or |
| buying a used car. Yes, you still have to be careful | | | | repaired. Some buy a fleet of rentals from rental |
| about what you buy but a rental company takes very | | | | companies for their own used car inventory. A |
| good care of the cars. They are properly serviced and | | | | reputable dealer will tell you if it was a rental or the ad |
| repaired in a timely manner, inspected regularly and | | | | you saw in the paper may note that. |
| repaired before being offered for sale. Some that rent | | | | When you go to the dealer to buy a used car, ask to |
| cars tend to be more careless than driving their own | | | | see the maintenance records. Whenever I trade a car |
| car but there are car owners who are careless driving | | | | in I always leave the receipts for any oil changes, tune |
| anyways. Most rental companies keep the cars for a | | | | ups, repairs, etc., in the glove box. That way the next |
| year or two before taking them out of service. The | | | | owner can see how well the car has been maintained. |
| mileage is about 20,000 to 30,000 miles and chances | | | | Of course, I don't really know if that information is sold |
| are they probably still have some warranty time left on | | | | with the car or gets discarded. I have never bought a |
| them. | | | | used car. |
| Some rental companies sell their own cars. Some sell | | | | It is a good idea to have an independent third party |
| thru an independent dealership. And then there are the | | | | mechanic give the car a thorough mechanical once |
| car dealers who regularly buy rental cars by the fleet. | | | | over. They will be able to tell you the true condition of |
| Buying a rental car from a dealer is like buying any | | | | the car and make you aware of any mechanical |
| other car from a dealer. If they have a certified used | | | | defects it may have or if the car was previously in an |
| car program, that is toy the consumers benefit. That | | | | accident. Any reputable car dealer will allow you to do |
| means the car has been thoroughly inspected and | | | | that. If they don't, go elsewhere for a car. |
| repaired as necessary and usually comes with a | | | | Previously used rental cars seem to have more dings |
| warranty, either dealer or manufacturer backed. | | | | and scratches than normal. If you notice such on a car |
| Before you buy a previously used rental car, do your | | | | you are interested in ask if they are going to be |
| homework as you would for buying any car. Look up | | | | repaired or painted before you take possession of the |
| the bluebook value of the car and compare that to the | | | | car. If they will fix those things, make sure you get it in |
| asking price. Check out the consumer reports to find | | | | writing and it is noted it is part of the sale price and not |
| out if the car you are interested in has had any recalls | | | | an added extra. |
| or reported problems. | | | | Buying a previously owned rental car can be a huge |
| Before buying a used car from a dealer, ask if it was | | | | savings if you do your homework and deal with a |
| a rental. Some dealers have their own fleet of rental | | | | reputable dealer. |