Find a Used Vehicle with Under 10,000 Miles

The quest for finding a new-to-you vehicle can be complicated. You want something reliable, but you also want something that is cheaper than a typical brand-new car. How do you find the best of both worlds so you can ensure the vehicle you end up with is going to last you for years to come? 

A great option to get good rates and still get a nearly-new car is to buy used with less than 10,000 miles. Here at Toyota of Grand Rapids, we recognize this is a unique niche. However, we categorize these cars to make it easy for you to find the best options. Browse our selection of cars with low mileage, and come see us today to take home a new ride that perfectly meets your needs! 

Take a look at these tips to find a low-mileage used car. 

Set the Budget and Determine Priorities

Whether you want a minivan, an SUV, or a compact car, you’re bound to find some good options with low mileage. But before you head out looking for those options, you need to sit down and figure out how much you are willing to spend and what you want to prioritize with your shopping. 

We all have our own goals and preferences when it comes to car shopping. Suzy next door might love a brand-new truck. But maybe you’re in the market for a sweet sedan. That’s the beauty of being able to find what really works for your needs. 

One of the most important elements will be to set a budget. If you aren’t sure how much you can spend, try using a payment calculator to get a rough estimate of payments. This can help you narrow down the dollar amount you can spend. 

Know your maximum, but also know where your preference is in terms of payments. Then, start making notes of the things you want in a car. Make, model, features, all of those will be important to find just the right vehicle. 

Do Your Research

Make the time to do research on both resale value and the reliability of a model you are interested in. You can browse your dealer’s website to see what they have to start your research. Check their price and compare it to Kelley Blue Book or another source that gives you an accurate value. 

Take the time to get to know the vehicle model options. Even if you have a preferred model in mind, you might find out there is something about that model that you don’t really like. Research helps pinpoint these things so you won’t be disappointed later. It’s the best way to get the big picture. 

Consider Certified Pre-Owned

While you probably don’t have to worry too much about significant issues when a vehicle has less than 10,000 miles, you just never know. Unless you personally know the history or the prior owner of the vehicle, there is always a risk. Using a reputable dealership helps mitigate that risk quite a bit. 

Another way to mitigate the risk is to look for vehicles that are certified pre-owned. Nearly all manufacturers have very specific inspection and check processes that they go through before they will certify a pre-owned vehicle. If a vehicle qualifies to be certified, you know it is going to be dependable. The manufacturer even offers a warranty for these. 

If there were any damages that didn’t initially meet requirements, the company makes those repairs to get it there. Of course, that is all based on the manufacturer, but you get the idea. There is just some added peace of mind that comes from knowing a car was inspected and certified before it became yours. 

Vehicle History Review

Most of the time, you can get a detailed history of a vehicle. There are tons of reports out there that track things like accidents, maintenance, repairs, ownership, and more. Most vehicles are tied to these reports for tracking purposes and to hold accountability for the history of a vehicle. 

With access to a vehicle history report, you can see things about previous ownership, know the maintenance history, and determine whether the car was ever in an accident or received some sort of damage. With a car this low in mileage, you should see a clean history, but it’s not always guaranteed. Be sure to look over the report carefully, and take note of anything that seems off or looks like a red flag. 

Always Inspect and Test Drive

Never take home a used vehicle without inspecting it and test driving it first. Just because you like the looks of a vehicle doesn’t mean you will love how it drives. You may fall in love with a certain model based on style, only to get in the driver’s seat and hate how it feels. 

Take the time to narrow down your options and pick out a few that you are interested in. Then, head to the dealership and test drive those options to compare and decide what you love. This gives you a chance to try out the vehicle, but also to assess if there are any concerns or unusual things that might be warning signs. 

Time to Negotiate

You’ve done the research and the planning, and now it’s time to negotiate. Since you did the research on the value of the vehicles you were interested in, this should be pretty easy. Negotiation will cover the price of the vehicle you purchase, payments, and trade-ins, too. 

A new car for your household is a big investment. You want to know you are getting a fair deal and that it’s going to meet your needs for many years to come. 

Choose Your New Car Today! 

A car with less than 10,000 miles is still almost brand-new, but you do need to be cautious and aware before you make that purchase. The good news is that you have plenty of choices. 

Come check out our options at Toyota of Grand Rapids. We have several vehicles that fit this category and just might be the perfect new ride for your needs.