Is It Bad To Buy A Used Jeep? (Wish I knew this first)

Anybody who is well acquainted with Jeep and its products knows that they were designed for off-roading. These cars are well-built and rugged, but they certainly don’t last forever. Since these vehicles can take quite a beating while off-road, is it a wise choice to buy a used jeep?

It is not inherently bad to buy a used Jeep, but it’s all a matter of being well-informed. When buying a used Jeep, customers need to discuss the mileage, the vehicle condition, the price, and the warranty. Buyers should also pursue any other relevant concerns.

When you head to the used car dealership to inspect the merchandise, you will want to be scrutinizing and ask all the questions you need to. Since purchasing a used vehicle of any kind can be nerve-wracking, this article will cover tips and tricks to help you buy the right vehicle.

Things to Consider when Buying a Used Jeep

Before purchasing a used Jeep, you should find out as much information about the vehicle as possible. Doing so will ensure nothing goes unnoticed before making the purchase.

You shouldn’t write off a used Jeep simply because of its age. Jeeps are known to last for 15 years or more, if they are well maintained.

Start by looking at the mileage of the Jeep in question. Purchasing a Jeep with anything higher than 200,000 miles is a risky investment. However, even a well-maintained Jeep can last for 300,000 miles or so. To determine how much life this vehicle has, there are several things you should consider.

First, you’ll want to make inquiries as to the condition of the car you’re looking at. Of course, you can tell quite a bit about the vehicle’s condition just by looking at it. Pay particular attention to rust spots or areas of chipped paint.

You should also inquire about the vehicle’s history. If the vehicle was involved in any wrecks, its structural integrity may be compromised. The dealership should also provide you with a history of maintenance done on the vehicle. If the vehicle is behind on oil changes and fluid services, it would be a good idea to look for a different vehicle.

If the Jeep in question is up to date on routine maintenance and repairs, shows no signs of rust, and hasn’t been involved in any wrecks, continue pursuing the vehicle.

Once you have thoroughly assessed what kind of condition the car is in, you will need to determine whether that condition merits the price the dealer or previous owner is asking. Use resources such as Kelley Blue Book to help you determine a price for the year and model of the Jeep you’re pursuing.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Jeep

Now that you know a little better how to shop for a used jeep, the only question remaining is whether or not you actually should. As mentioned above, it’s not a bad idea to purchase a used Jeep.

There are plenty of older Jeeps with lots of mileage left in their engines. That being said, there are pros and cons to purchasing a used Jeep. Consider both below:

Pros

First, the price. When buying a car whether used or brand-new, the price tag is one of the first things people assess. Brand new Jeeps tend to be fairly expensive. However, if you were to buy a used jeep, the price would be significantly decreased.

If you are on a budget, it’s probably not a bad idea to consider buying a used Jeep. While there’s less customization and choice when buying a used vehicle, you will be able to purchase a decent car at a reasonable price.

Jeeps often hold their value well. In other words, they depreciate slowly.

Depreciation is calculated by considering the reliability of the vehicle and how long it is predicted to last. Just because you’re buying a used vehicle doesn’t mean you’ll be getting a low quality vehicle.

Because Jeeps don’t depreciate quickly, it can be assumed they are predicted to last for a long time and maintain their reliability.

You can also purchase a luxury model Jeep for the same price as a daily driver model with fewer features.

Cons

While being used has lots of benefits, there are several negative effects of purchasing a used Jeep.

First of all, you should consider the maintenance costs. As cars age, the number of issues they are prone to increases. This means it might not matter if you buy used or not, the maintenance costs overtime could be equal to the amount of purchasing a new Jeep.

When an older vehicle breaks down, its difficult to get it to the shop for repairs. That’s a hassle you likely don’t want with the your daily driver. On the bright side, you’ll likely become good friends with your local mechanic through your frequent visits to the repair shop.

Then, we have the aforementioned problem with warranties. While a newer Jeep comes with a warranty covering vehicle maintenance and repairs, used Jeeps rarely include warranties. Unfortunately, this means that you will be paying for all repairs and maintenance that arises. As mentioned above, it will get pretty expensive if there is no warranty to fall back on.

Lastly, there’s the overall reliability you’ll need to worry about. Older cars, even Jeeps, have issues. While most places offer cars in pretty decent shape, any vehicle could experience malfunctions. The chance of surprise malfunctions is more likely if you’re purchasing the vehicle from an owner.

While it’s not impossible to purchase a decent used vehicle from an owner, you’re more likely to get a vehicle with problems. Additionally, owners rarely keep accurate records or repairs and maintenance. This makes it difficult to determine the vehicle’s condition.

When it comes to Jeeps, the pros of purchasing a used Jeep outweigh the cons. You’ll be able to get a decent vehicle at a reduced price. If you purchase a used Jeep, be especially careful to maintain a routine maintenance schedule. Doing so will ensure that your used Jeep last for as long as possible.