Can You Buy a Used Car or Truck from a Rental Car Company?

By Adriana Noton

Buying a used car or truck is simply a matter of necessity for many individuals and families. While in the past many used cars had the well deserved reputation of being clunkers, these days they are increasingly more reliable. Another positive for used car buyers is that the gap between used and new car prices is widening.

An often unexplored avenue for someone seeking a used car is the car rental industry. Buying a used car from these companies is not much different from buying from an individual or car dealer. The same checks must be performed to ensure roadworthiness and reliability. There is however growing support for the idea of individuals buying their cars used from rental agencies.

Advantages of Buying from a Rental Car Company

The landscape is practically littered with car rental companies jockeying for market share. It is important to remember that the standards of each company may vary, and you should seek to buy only from reputable enterprises. Advantage s of buying your used car from a rental agency includes:

They are usually better maintained than privately owned vehicles There is usually a wide selection to choose from The company usually keeps meticulous records regarding servicing, accidents etc. They are usually sold after two years of service to bring in new models They usually come with what is left of the manufacturer's warranty

The Disadvantages of Buying a Used Rental Car

The disadvantages are pretty much the same as those for buying from an individual or dealer. There is of course the added element of uncertainty since they are usually driven by so many different people. Disadvantages include:

Accidents that cause minor damage may not be reported There is no way of knowing how the car may have been handled by any of the various renters Prices tend to be higher than they would be for the same model and year car at a dealer. Unlike used car dealers also, the car rental companies are rarely willing to haggle.

What You Should Do Before Buying

If you plan to buy a used car or truck from a rental car company there are steps you must take to protect yourself. These include:

Have your mechanic properly inspect the car on a lift Perform a vehicle title search or ask for a history report Take the car for a test drive to see how it handles

Even if you pay an independent mechanic to inspect the car and then decide not to buy it, you should not consider it a waste of money. This probably saved you repair bills and headaches in the long run. Keep in mind that damage may be repaired at the car rental company's own shop, and may not even be reported. A proficient mechanic should be able to spot even small telltale signs of repair.

There are many buyers of used cars and trucks from rental companies that are happy with their purchases. Many people are initially hesitant to buy from rental companies, possibly because of witnessing deliberate abuse of rental cars. Be sure to buy from a well known car rental company and follow the advice provided above. This way you too could be happy if you decide to purchase from a car rental company. - 21392

About the Author:

Offers a wide range of truck rental and car rental options from small size cars to full size trucks. Car rentals also offers "Free Customer Pick-up and Drop-off" resonates with locations from coast to coast.