If you ’ve everrented a car , you might have driven it a little harder than you ’d drive your own car . And , chances are , many other customers who lease it were just as " reverential " of that car as you were . So , the thought of owning that motorcar after the rental car company ’s done with it might be a little scary .
If you ’re shopping for a later - model used car on a budget , though , this is an boulevard you might desire to consider . Rental car companies turn out their fleets on a even fundament , which think of there ’s a firm supply of aged railway car they ’re front to unload . Many of these cars end up at auctions where dealers often buy them and resell them on their lots . But some companies , like Hertz and endeavour , will also betray former rentals directly to individuals .
Brian Cayle , an expert in purchasing and selling used motorcar through various sources , has extended experience working with dealerships , auctions and fleet direction . He say that when shop for a used rental car , you should be as cautious as when negotiating any other slew .
" There are pros and there are gyp , " says Cayle . " It can be very , very good , and it can wander to very , very bad . "
The Good
First , permit ’s take a look at the pros of buy a used rental railroad car . In the interest of quick and well-off gross sales , rental railroad car companies often price their elevator car lower than like used cars , though you ’ll still want to compare these prices against your local dealership and private - party listings , as well asKelley Blue Book ’s evaluation guide . Rental companies have a tidy sum of cars to sell , and require to make the physical process as hassle - destitute as potential . Full inventories are listed on their websites with no - haggle pricing . Some companies , like Hertz and Budget , even let you take cars on overnight test drives .
And since rental car company rotate fleet so frequently , you ’ll see that many cars are just a few years old . That means that in most sheath , some of the original maker ’s warranty will remain , and will transfer to the raw owner . In some lawsuit , you’re able to also grease one’s palms an extended guarantee for excess protection .
As with any car shopping experience , you could lead aCarfaxreport to check out the car ’s history , or the company might be able to provide one . Here , you want to confirm that the rental company is the car ’s only owner and that there are no accidents on the cable car ’s record . While you ’re at it , jibe the recall database atSaferCar.govto see if the elevator car has any outstanding recalls .
In gain to the high armory and humble price , you could trust that the rental company probably kept up with introductory sustentation . But without a gross and valid service of process support , you ’re still at the mercy of what the rental railway car company tell you — just as in any other used car peck .
The Bad
Now countenance ’s take a look at the bunco game . Rental troupe often grade new cars in high volume for time and price savings . Generally speaking , these melt down - of - the - manufacturing plant compact and midsize sedans are die to be as simple-minded as possible . That saves money and stand for there are few components that the client can weaken and can even return spare receipts . ( Do you reckon they could charge excess to lease an aftermarket Global Positioning System scheme if the railcar had navigation built in ? ) So keep in judgment that if you wish the latest features or prestigious trim levels , a former rental might not be right for you .
Also consider upkeep . Whilemostrental society assert their fleet regularly , lot coach do often skip or detain require sustentation because if the cars are n’t on the road , they ’re not making any profit . And even when the gondola are being maintained , they are n’t necessarily suffer the good tone care . " [ The companies ] know they ’re only run to have the car for a short amount of metre , " says Cayle , so they often skimp on some things , or may go the chinchy route with production like fossil oil . Cayle say he ’s see former rental cars up for cut-rate sale horseback riding on three jibe name - brand tyre and one off - mark tire . poor boy - par dead body work is common , too .
" They get kick downstairs , they get bruised , they ’re not die to be commit to the right body shop , " he says . This is particularly important to look for because not all harm gets report , which means some accident also might not show up on a Carfax check .
If you ’re intransigent about buying a used letting , one of the best ways to avoid ending up with a flop is to have it an expert scrutinise it . Cayle recommends take it to a mechanic who has no wager in the potential sale ( in other words , he wo n’t earn or lose money depending on the outcome ) and pay a flavourless fee for the diagnostic .
And some purchaser just ca n’t get over the fact that the railway car has been around the proverbial city block . As Cayle says , " Good news : it was one proprietor . The bad word : it was 400 drivers over the row of that year . "
To put it simply , bribe a former rental car is just like buying any used machine , in that it ’s up to you to protect yourself . adjudicate whether to buy a used rental car depends on how much you could learn about the cable car , and your own level of quilt with the remaining unidentified factors .
