Exclusive Motorcars
Closed. Opens Saturday at 9:00 AM

Luxury Used Car Buyer's Guide

Luxury Used Car Buyer’s Guide

Buying a used luxury vehicle isn’t quite the same as buying other used vehicles. There are some additional things you’ll want to consider before you buy to ensure that you end up happy with your new luxury vehicle. We’ve come up with this simple guide that will walk you through the process of what you should do when buying a luxury vehicle.

Consider Whether a Luxury Vehicle Is Right for You

First, you should think about whether a luxury vehicle is in fact right for you. While driving a luxury vehicle is fun, it’s not for everyone. For example, you may have your heart set on a two-seat luxury sports car. If you regularly have to drive your family around, the car may not make sense. If you plan on taking long road trips, you also may  want something with  more cargo room.

In addition, luxury vehicles are typically more expensive than other vehicles, even if you’re buying used. You’ll want to think about whether the higher price is worth it to you to have a luxury vehicle.

Go Through a Professional Inspection

Once you find a used luxury vehicle that you like and that works for you, it’s important to get a professional inspection. The key thing you’ll want to have done is pulling error codes from the car’s internal computer system. These error codes can alert you to any issues with components such as the engine, transmission, and sensors.

To get this professional inspection, you have two options. You can either bring the vehicle to a mechanic that you trust or ask the seller for a complete report on the vehicle. Most luxury vehicle sellers will have a detailed report from the last time the vehicle was inspected. The report will show the date of the last inspection, along with any problems that came up.

Luxury vehicles represent fine craftsmanship, but that doesn’t mean they can’t experience issues. Before you spend money on a used luxury vehicle, you’ll want to make sure it has no issues.

Inspect It Yourself

In addition to a professional inspection, you should take the time to thoroughly inspect the vehicle yourself. Even if you don’t know a lot about vehicles, there are some simple things you can look for on your own.

For example, go around the outside of the vehicle and look closely for any signs of damage. See if there are scrapes or dents in the body of the car. Then look underneath and make sure everything looks OK and no leaks are present.

On the inside of the vehicle, test everything out. Start the car and go for a test drive. Try out all the buttons and controls, ensuring that everything works. Pay extra attention to any electrical components inside the vehicle, as these could have easily been  damaged if the previous owner spilled something.

Finally, inspect the seats and floors. Watch out for rips in the fabric or stains along the floor. If you find a small imperfection, you may be OK with it, but you’ll still want to be aware of it before you buy the car. The more thoroughly you inspect any vehicle you’re considering, the more likely it is that you’ll be happy with your purchase.

Look for Modifications

A big thing to look for in used luxury vehicles is any modifications made by previous owners. Some owners of luxury vehicles like to upgrade features such as the suspension system, engine, and internal electronics. These modifications are not always well done or include the highest-quality parts. You should find out which parts of the car are not original before buying a luxury vehicle. If the vehicle has too many modifications or modifications you’re not comfortable with, move on to looking at another luxury vehicle.

Check the Warranty

Even though you’re buying a used luxury vehicle, some of its warranties may still be in effect if it’s a newer car. You’ll want to know which warranties are still in effect or which are about to expire. For example, there may be a warranty on your vehicle’s powertrain. But if it’s set to expire soon, this is something you’ll want to consider when deciding on whether to buy the vehicle.

Consider Additional Costs

Finally, you should consider the extra costs that can come with owning a luxury vehicle. For example, used luxury vehicles typically require more maintenance than other used vehicles, meaning you may spend more money bringing your vehicle in for routine maintenance. If you fail to maintain your luxury vehicle, you could find that you need to make repairs, which are also typically more expensive than for other used vehicles.

You’ll also want to look at the gas mileage rating for the used luxury vehicle you’re considering. Some luxury vehicles are not as efficient as other vehicles, which means you could be spending more every time you go to the gas station. While this additional cost may not seem like a lot initially, if you plan to own the luxury vehicle for a long time, it’s something you’ll want to at least consider.

If you’re interested in getting a used luxury vehicle, look no further than Exclusive Motorcars in Maryland. We have a wide selection of used luxury Mitsubishi vehicles, and we aim to make the car-buying experience as easy as possible for you. You can browse our current inventory online , which will save you a trip to our dealership. If you find a car you’re interested in from our inventory, contact us anytime to set up a test drive. We can then show you the car in person, answer any questions you may have, and let you give the car a thorough inspection.

Owning a luxury vehicle is a great enjoyment, and this starts with a good buying experience. We hope this guide gave you some helpful pointers to that end. When you’re ready for your next used luxury vehicle in Maryland, Exclusive Motorcars will be here to help.