When it comes time for you to buy a vehicle, you have a few options. You could buy a brand new one or a previously owned (used) vehicle. There is a third option you might not have considered; you could buy a used rental car. There are quite a few benefits of buying a rental car. They are thousands of dollars cheaper than a new car of the same model. Most of the time, rental cars are less than one year old. They have lower mileage than privately-owned used cars of the same model and year. However, it is important to consider that they usually have more dings, dents, and scratches because renters tend to be much less careful with rental cars. If a few cosmetic defects don't bother you too much, buy a used rental car and save yourself thousands of dollars. Now the question is: should you buy one? Before you answer, ask yourself this:

1) How many years do think you will drive it?

You should consider the amount of time you think you will be driving the car you purchase. If you think you will be driving this car 5 to 10 years from now, you need to consider the fact that there is more general wear with used rental cars than with privately-owned used cars. If you need a car to drive for just a few years, then you might consider purchasing a used rental car.

2) Do stains, smells, scratches, and dents really bother you?

While no one likes stains, smells, scratches, etc., most of us are willing to live with one or two. But used rental cars almost always have more stains, more smells, more scratches, and more dents than you'd find on a non-rental used. If you're sensitive to certain smells (like cigarette smoke), if you're a neat freak, or if you're just picky, a used rental car isn't a good choice.

3) Is your main concern just getting from here to there?

Despite their cosmetic defects, used rental cars have a benefit over privately owned used cars. They oftentimes are sold with factory-backed "certified used programs." This provides a warranty with upgraded coverage, as well as lower financing rates that are typically offered when financing new vehicles.

4) Do you have no credit or bad credit?

If your credit is less than perfect, a used rental car is a good way to buy a fairly new car while keeping your monthly payments down. Used rental cars often qualify for factory backed "certified used" programs, which usually have aggressive financing available for people with bad credit.

5) Do you want a car that is well maintained with hardly any mechanical problems?

It may sound crazy, but rental cars are usually better maintained than cars owned by a private individual. Rental car companies don't actually buy new cars from the manufacturers - they lease them. One of the terms of the lease is that the rental car company must perform all the manufacturer's suggested maintenance, and must retain proof of doing so. Rental companies also tend to do a nice job of getting things fixed or adjusted under warranty.

About the Author

Author Jason Lancaster, a car industry veteran, created AccurateAutoAdvice.com. You'll find accurate advice on used rental cars and buying a used rental car. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

Author: JasonLancaster Total views: 70 Word Count: 527

Copy and Paste Article Code.

Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.

Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote

Comments

Add Comment

More articles in this Category