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A SHOPPER’S GUIDE TO BUYING USED CARS
By Leonard Glushakow, Founder of Motor World
1. Make sure your dealer has a long track record and is well-established in the community. You want someone whose salesmanship, vehicles and business practices have stood the test of time. I established Motor World in 1978, and have been serving the people of Frederick for the 22 years since our founding. I've been in the used car business since 1952. We've been here a long time because we know how to deliver quality cars at reasonable prices to our customers. We're proud of the fact that we have so many repeat customers, and that's perhaps the acid test for any dealer.
2. Look for a dealer with a qualified mechanic on location and an experienced staff. That assures you that the dealer has the capability to check out cars before putting them up for sale. It also assures you that the dealer can service the cars properly after they are sold. Motor World has a certified mechanic on the premises and we have an experienced staff that can answer your questions.
3. Find a dealer that sells high quality late-model vehicles. In a brochure prepared by the Better Business Bureau, it cautions that many used car dealers sell vehicles "that have seen a bit more use and abuse than those on the new car dealer's lot." We avoid that problem by featuring quality, late-model cars. In fact, almost all of them still have some of their new car warranty in force. So our cars are backed by a warranty, and if you want additional protection, we can offer high-quality extended warranties to go with our high quality cars.
4. Go for a dealership that's small enough to avoid some of the bureacracy, buck-passing, and unresponsiveness of the big dealers and the mammoth dealers now coming on the market. You want a dealership where everyone gives you the advice and attention you need, from the President on down. That's what we have always featured at Motor World.
5. Check the car before you buy. For example, take a close look at the tires and make sure they are in good shape and show no signs of irregular wear and tear. That could indicate that the car is out of alignment or damage to the front suspension. We avoid those problems by making sure the car is in good shape and making sure the tires are safe. The tires are truly one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on a car. You want to check out the body, the battery, fluids, the interior, and the rest of the car with care. Make sure the vehicle has an up-to-date Maryland State Inspection Sticker. All our vehicles do.
6. Give the car a good road test under varied conditions. You want to make sure it's the kind of vehicle that you will enjoy driving and that it will meet all your needs. The road test also gives you a chance to help assure yourself that the vehicle is in good condition. For example, unusual vibrations, noises, or odors may be a sign of trouble. A test drive doesn't tell you everything, but it is one critically important check you should make with care.
7. Don't be rushed into making a deal. Take your time, and be sure you understand exactly what you are signing. At Motor World, we rely on repeat customers, and that's why we go out of out way to be sure they are satisfied and happy customers.
8. If you can, buy in a state that has strong consumer laws and regulations to protect consumers. Maryland is one such state.
9. Find a dealer who is involved in the professional organizations of the industry. We are members of the Maryland Independent Auto Dealers Association.
10. Don't forget about financing. If possible, find a dealer that can provide bank financing.
11. If you want more assurance of our track record and excellent reputation, you can talk to some of our repeat customers. You can check our record with the Better Business Bureau or with other consumer protection agencies. You can have the car checked out by your own mechanic. But we think the key to used car buying is finding a quality dealer with a good track record, and that's what we think you have found at Motor World. Come in for a visit and take a look at our lot. We think you'll like what you see and that you'll like what you buy here if you want a quality car at a reasonable price!
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