Pre-owned vehicles

Basic guidelines for purchasing a pre-owned vehicle

Toyota buyers can find a reliable alternative by investing in a pre-owned vehicle. What are some of the things buyers should consider before and during their visit to Maita Toyota?

"Ask a lot of questions," said John Hallerud, a specialist in used vehicles for the Federal Trade Commission. "You also should figure out what you want and set a budget before shopping."

Pre-owned vehicles may have a warranty but not always. An original manufacturer's warranty, if it remains in active, stays with the vehicle no matter who owns it.

In contrast, extended service contracts vary greatly and may not extend to new buyers, Hallerud said.

The basic FTC rule states that dealers must post a buyer's guide on all pre-owned vehicles. Among other things the guide describes major mechanical and electrical systems, whether the vehicle is being sold "as is" and percentage of the repair costs if the vehicle is covered by a dealer's warranty.

The FTC offers the following suggestions for people considering a used vehicle:

Do your homework and set a budget. It's easy to lose sight of your original requirements when looking at the plethora of options and models available.
Review the Buyers Guide, which the FTC requires on all used vehicles. The Buyers Guide lists 14 major systems and potential problems that may occur in each.
Does the vehicle have a service contract or warranty? If so, the service contract box must be checked on the Buyers Guide. If not, ask your Maita Toyota advisor about the types of coverage available.
Do you want to pay for the vehicle in full or through financing? Your advisor at Maita Toyota can discuss different types of loan and payment schedules.
What about return policies? This varies greatly by type of vehicle and age.
Any changes made during the negotiation process, such as warranty coverage or repair work, must be reflected in the final Buyers Guide.

For more information about buying a pre-owned vehicle, go the FTC site:

-For a general overview about buying a used vehicle:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut03.shtm

-For the financial aspects of buying a used vehicle:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/autos/buy.shtm

Maita Toyota offers sales, parts, repair, and service for Northern California and the Greater Sacramento area including Roseville, Elk Grove, Woodland, Davis, Auburn and Folsom.

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