Reconditioning A Used Vehicle For Resale

Depending on the type of dealership, your used vehicle may undergo service checklists that are 100 items long or more before being sold. For example, Ford and Chevy’s official inspections are 172 items long, Toyota’s includes 160 items and Hyundai‘s features 150. At name-brand or new car dealerships, these inspections are often mandated for all used vehicles built by that manufacturer. Independent dealerships often have similar procedures, but these of course vary in scope and focus.

When a car arrives on the lot for resale, the first thing that happens is that the vehicle history report is pulled to verify that the actual mileage and damage history are what the seller declared. Next, technicians take the vehicle on a test drive to ensure that it operates satisfactorily and that systems such as anti-lock brakes and lane assist are working properly.

After the test drive, a full exterior examination checks paint and finish, any dings or dents, and the function of all lights. The inspection then moves to the vehicle interior, where upholstery condition, dashboard and radio operation, climate control, door locks and power windows are inspected. The final phase of reconditioning is the mechanical portion. The powertrain, emission system, air conditioner, electrical system, wheels, shocks and brakes are tested to make sure they work as designed.

Although it sounds like a lot, the process for reconditioning a vehicle is usually very quick, lasting less than 72 hours at many dealerships. Most name-brand and large independent dealerships carry out these repairs in their own service department, keeping costs low and increasing resale value substantially. Smaller independent dealerships usually contract with local mechanics and body shops to perform their vehicle reconditioning.

Regardless of ownership, the best dealerships will not accept cars with problems that are excessive or too expensive to repair or those are simply too old and worn down. After all, their reputation will suffer if they make a habit of selling problematic vehicles. They check vehicle history reports such as CARFAX to see if the seller is attempting to hide potential issues. But it should be noted that any used vehicle may have a hidden issue that does not reveal itself until after a purchase, regardless of how detailed the dealer inspection is.

Here at Auto Market of Florida, we recondition all kinds of cars, trucks, SUVs and even motorcycles. We make sure your used vehicle is as close to new as possible. Take a look at our inventory or call us directly at 407-476-2900.