What to Look for When Buying a Used Car
June 02 2018 - Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles
Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles Sterling VA

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Can shopping for used vehicles be daunting? Absolutely. Does it have to be? Not when you shop at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles. All you really need is the right used car buying checklist, and whether shopping for a used vehicle from Volkswagen or another automaker, you should:

We’ll take you through what you need to do step-by-step at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles.

Research: Where to Buy Used Cars

There are plenty of used vehicles out there, and no shortage of dealerships around Tysons Corner. Yet drivers continue to come to Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles because we offer some of the best trade-in prices and one of the largest selections of used and certified pre-owned cars.

Budget: How Many Miles on a Car is Too Much?

How many roads must a car drive down before you should consider another model? The answer: it depends.

  • There are trucks that last upwards of 300,000 miles on one engine, but that’s only if they’re well cared for.
  • Cars with high mileage will usually carry a lower price than comparable models with lower mileage, but they could require more repairs and maintenance later on.

It’s up to you to decide on mileage: savings or peace of mind on the Springfield streets. A certified pre-owned Volkswagen can split the difference, too.

Inspect: What to Check When Buying a Used Car

Once you’ve settled on where to buy and your mileage range, it’s essential to inspect a used vehicle to make sure it’s up to your standards. But what do you check when buying a used car?

  • Rust around door edges and wheel wells
  • Damage hidden by careful touch-ups instead of proper repairs
  • Headlights, taillights, and turn signals
  • Excessive wear or damage to upholstery
  • Tire tread wear

Even if you don’t know heads from tails under the hood, it doesn’t hurt to take a look and make sure things look tidy — check the battery for any corrosive build-up on the terminals, too.

Try it Out: How to Test Drive a Used Car

Once you’ve found a used car you want to drive home to Alexandria, it’s time to take it for a spin. Test driving a used car is as simple as reaching out to the dealership and scheduling your test drive. It’s good to head out onto a beltway or even a highway to get a feel for the engine as well as a drive around town. It’s important to reach out early, though, as each used car is unique and you don’t want someone else to buy your dream car.

Check Out Our Used Vehicle Inventory at Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles

You should find a wide selection of used Volkswagen vehicles and non-Volkswagen vehicles in our inventory, including a selection of used Volkswagen Golf models and budget-friendly cars priced to sell. Contact us today so we can help you consider all factors and calculate your interest rate before buying your next Volkswagen!

Still have questions? Let us walk you through the car financing process today.