The global luxury car market has remained largely unaffected by the pandemic and has continuously been posting growth. Celebrities and influential people love luxury vehicles because they epitomize opulence and affluence. They provide a luxurious experience for both the driver and the passengers.
If you’ve saved up enough money, you may be thinking of buying a used luxury car. Of course, you want to get the best deal on a great car. You don’t want to buy a car only to find out later that it needs expensive repairs or that many of the high-tech features don’t work as they should. Here are four important things to remember when buying a used luxury car. They will help you avoid making a purchase that will cost you down the road.
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1. Have the Vehicle Inspected & Updated
Most car buyers never bother to get a mechanic to inspect the car they would like to buy. This can be a very costly mistake. An experienced mechanic can easily spot problems and help you identify parts that may need replacement.
A Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) is100% necessary for used car purchases. It can be performed by a competent mechanic or an automotive technician who understands the vehicle you’re purchasing. The mechanic typically inspects the vehicle from roofline to rims for about $100. If any problems are detected, be sure to use them to negotiate a lower price.
2. Avoid Air Suspensions
Many luxury sedans feature a built-in air suspension system, and they work fine when the cars are new. But you should avoid used models equipped with the system as most owners of used luxury cars report issues as the air suspension system ages. Sure, an air suspension system improves the ride, but the money you’ll have to pay when the system needs work isn’t worth it. If you’re set on buying a vehicle with it, get extended warranty coverage to protect yourself from repair costs.
3. Have the Central Command System Checked
If the car’s former owner accidentally poured coffee on the center console and destroyed the central command system controller, you’ll want to know this before buying the car. Ventura Toyota, a Toyota dealer in Ventura, California, says it’s important to have the central command system checked to ensure it runs all menus and commands. Failure to do so can cost you a lot of money down the road.
Check the display screen and all related buttons to ensure they work well. Connect your phone to the vehicle via bluetooth and make a call or play music. Go through the different menu options to make sure they all work. Check whether all steering wheel-mounted controls function optimally. If the central command interface is glitchy, lags, or fails to boot, it may need replacing, a software reflash, or a hard reset.
4. Try Out the Luxury Features
When shopping for a luxury vehicle, don’t be in a rush. Before going for a test drive, take 15 minutes to inspect all high-end luxury features to confirm they work. Inspect the keyless entry system, seat warmers, speakers, and the automatic trunk opener. Make sure they all work without issues.
