When it’s time to get a new vehicle, or at least one that is new to you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. There are a ton of different options out there, with choices in make, model, trim, color, year, and features. The combinations are virtually endless. So how do you go about finding a used vehicle that you’ll love and that will be a good fit for you? Start by visiting your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership. From there, there are a few important steps you should take.

Get the Vehicle History Report

Once you’ve found some used vehicles you’re interested in, the first thing you’ll need to do is to get the vehicle history reports for each one. Vehicle history reports can provide you with crucial insight into the condition of the vehicle that may not be readily apparent based solely on the appearance of the vehicle. It can show you things like previous accidents or liens associated with the vehicle. It also gives you information about the title, the ownership history, and services done on the vehicle. Ask your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership for the vehicle history reports for each vehicle you’re considering.

Take It for a Test Drive

It’s not going to be enough to just look at the vehicle history report. You need to feel how the vehicle handles too. That’s why it’s always a good idea to take any vehicle you’re thinking about buying for a test drive. This is your chance to see how the vehicle feels once you’re inside it. How does it respond? How comfortable is it to drive? It’s also your chance to test out the different features in the vehicle. Run the heater and air conditioning (regardless of the season), test the windshield wipers, try out any entertainment systems, and flip on the lights. Test everything and pay attention to how things feel, look, smell, and sound.

Inspect It Carefully

Regardless of how familiar you are with the inner workings of vehicles, you still know the difference between something that looks like it’s in good condition and something that looks like it’s damaged. Do a careful, thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior of any vehicle you’re thinking about buying. Look at things like the body, the tires, the seats, the dash, the bumpers and panels, the tailpipe, the oil dipstick, the paint, and the doors, hood and trunk. If you aren’t sure what to look for, find a thorough checklist online of things to look at. Small scratches or dings probably aren’t anything to worry about, but bigger visual problems may mean it’s worth taking a closer look before settling on a vehicle.

Take It to a Trusted Mechanic

If you’re happy with what you’ve seen in your visual inspection, on the vehicle history report, and with how the test drive has gone, the next thing to do is to take the vehicle to a mechanic you trust. Getting a vehicle inspected by a mechanic will cost some money, but it’s likely to be much less than what you would pay down the road for a mechanical problem that might be uncovered. The mechanic will do a visual inspection, look under the vehicle, check out the engine, and run standard tests that can identify issues that would otherwise be tough to detect. If everything checks out, you may have a winner on your hands.

Consider Certified Pre-Owned

Warranties aren’t something you find on every used vehicle, but they certainly can be nice. They can help cover you and ease the financial burden that comes with fixing up various problems that may come up down the road. If a used vehicle with a warranty is something you would like to have, choose one that is certified pre-owned. These vehicles are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, offering you an additional measure of protection.

Many people looking for a new vehicle choose to go with a used vehicle because historically they’ve been more affordable than brand new vehicles. However, due to the current market, cars that are only a year or two old will not have depreciated much and may even cost the same as they did when they were new. For that reason, you’re likely to find better values in cars that are 3 to 5 years old.

Not all used vehicles are created equal though. It’s important to make sure that the one you choose will be a good fit for you and will be reliable for years to come. As you search for your next new-to-you used vehicle, be sure to stop by your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership to check out the used vehicle inventory on the lot.

Looking for a certified pre-owned vehicle? Riverton Chevrolet has you covered! Click here to see the selection of certified pre-owned vehicles you can find at your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership today!

Tips for Finding a Used Chevy Car You’ll Love

When it’s time to get a new vehicle, or at least one that is new to you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the process. There are a ton of different options out there, with choices in make, model, trim, color, year, and features. The combinations are virtually endless. So how do you go about finding a used vehicle that you’ll love and that will be a good fit for you? Start by visiting your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership. From there, there are a few important steps you should take.

Get the Vehicle History Report

Once you’ve found some used vehicles you’re interested in, the first thing you’ll need to do is to get the vehicle history reports for each one. Vehicle history reports can provide you with crucial insight into the condition of the vehicle that may not be readily apparent based solely on the appearance of the vehicle. It can show you things like previous accidents or liens associated with the vehicle. It also gives you information about the title, the ownership history, and services done on the vehicle. Ask your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership for the vehicle history reports for each vehicle you’re considering.

Take It for a Test Drive

It’s not going to be enough to just look at the vehicle history report. You need to feel how the vehicle handles too. That’s why it’s always a good idea to take any vehicle you’re thinking about buying for a test drive. This is your chance to see how the vehicle feels once you’re inside it. How does it respond? How comfortable is it to drive? It’s also your chance to test out the different features in the vehicle. Run the heater and air conditioning (regardless of the season), test the windshield wipers, try out any entertainment systems, and flip on the lights. Test everything and pay attention to how things feel, look, smell, and sound.

Inspect It Carefully

Regardless of how familiar you are with the inner workings of vehicles, you still know the difference between something that looks like it’s in good condition and something that looks like it’s damaged. Do a careful, thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior of any vehicle you’re thinking about buying. Look at things like the body, the tires, the seats, the dash, the bumpers and panels, the tailpipe, the oil dipstick, the paint, and the doors, hood and trunk. If you aren’t sure what to look for, find a thorough checklist online of things to look at. Small scratches or dings probably aren’t anything to worry about, but bigger visual problems may mean it’s worth taking a closer look before settling on a vehicle.

Take It to a Trusted Mechanic

If you’re happy with what you’ve seen in your visual inspection, on the vehicle history report, and with how the test drive has gone, the next thing to do is to take the vehicle to a mechanic you trust. Getting a vehicle inspected by a mechanic will cost some money, but it’s likely to be much less than what you would pay down the road for a mechanical problem that might be uncovered. The mechanic will do a visual inspection, look under the vehicle, check out the engine, and run standard tests that can identify issues that would otherwise be tough to detect. If everything checks out, you may have a winner on your hands.

Consider Certified Pre-Owned

Warranties aren’t something you find on every used vehicle, but they certainly can be nice. They can help cover you and ease the financial burden that comes with fixing up various problems that may come up down the road. If a used vehicle with a warranty is something you would like to have, choose one that is certified pre-owned. These vehicles are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, offering you an additional measure of protection.

Many people looking for a new vehicle choose to go with a used vehicle because historically they’ve been more affordable than brand new vehicles. However, due to the current market, cars that are only a year or two old will not have depreciated much and may even cost the same as they did when they were new. For that reason, you’re likely to find better values in cars that are 3 to 5 years old.

Not all used vehicles are created equal though. It’s important to make sure that the one you choose will be a good fit for you and will be reliable for years to come. As you search for your next new-to-you used vehicle, be sure to stop by your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership to check out the used vehicle inventory on the lot.

Looking for a certified pre-owned vehicle? Riverton Chevrolet has you covered! Click here to see the selection of certified pre-owned vehicles you can find at your Salt Lake City Chevy dealership today!