Buying A Used 4 Wheel Drive? Consider These Things First
A 4 wheel-drive (4wd) can be a great vehicle to purchase second hand if you know exactly what you want and the possible problems that you need to look out for. Luckily, that is something that you can find out more about in our post below.
Ask to see the car’s documents
First of all, as with any second-hand car purchase it’s vital that you check the document before you buy. Why? Well, it’s to make sure that the vehicle you are purchasing is all above board and legitimate and hasn’t got any nasty surprises in store.
Basically, the documents will show ownership as well as any significant work that has been carried out on the car. Something that you will want to be fully informed of, as this can signifying a long-standing problem that may pass to you to resolve.
Know you make and model
It’s also essential that before you buy a used 4wd that you spend some time getting to know about the make and model you are interested in. In particular look out for any common issues that it is known to have. Then you can ask about, check, and even test these when it comes to testing driving the car.
Check the bodywork
4wds are often used in more extreme conditions and climates that there saloon counterparts. This means that the bodywork can often have taken a bit of a beating from the way the previous owners have used the car. Of course, significant issues with the bodywork such as spreading rust on the underside of the vehicle or near the door and wheels should always be looked out for.
However, when it comes to smaller marks and dents, you don’t need to be as worried. In fact, you should be much more concerned about the inner mechanical workings and how well they function.
Check the mechanics
Speaking of the mechanics, you will need to do your research on the make and model of vehicle you are looking to buy. This will then allow you to check for any common problems when you pop the hood. Do remember though that if it comes down to the difference between good mechanics and the presence of added extras or and the physical appearance of the vehicle, the former should always win out.
After all, you can always add to your car with things like these 4wd accessories after you have purchased it. While repairing major engine or mechanical problems can be much more time consuming and costly.
Go for a test drive
Lastly, be sure that you go for a test drive before purchasing a used 4wd vehicle. In particular, look out for the handling around corners and the speed in which it can do 0-60 mph.
If possible, it may even be useful to try and get a test run on some of the more difficult terrain that you are likely to be driving your 4wd on. Although, this will be a lot less likely if you are buying your second-hand 4wd from a deal than a private seller.