Buying a used car, truck, or SUV is a great way to realize optimal value on the purchase of a quality car, but it is important to know what to look for to ensure the car you choose is indeed of a high quality. You will want peace of mind when you leave the Midlands Toyota in a used car, and there are certain steps you can take to get the assurance of quality you need.

Checklist for Used Car Inspections

You should employ all of your senses in judging the used car that has your interest. Firstly, the car should pass the eye test on the exterior. The following list covers basic checks you can perform on the exterior of your car:

• There are no dents or scratches on its body
• The paint is uniform
• Panels are even
• Doors open and close properly.
• There is no rust on the body or in the trunk.
• Glass doesn’t have any cracks, scratches, or chips
• Tires should have the right amount of tread and be undamaged.

What to Look for Inside the Car

There are many things you’ll want to inspect on the inside of your prospective car. After all, it is where you will be spending the majority of your time. Go through the following list to be certain that the interior of the used vehicle you want is of an acceptable quality:

• Check the smell of the cabin. Does a rank odor greet you when you open the door?
• Inspect the fabric for cleanliness and potential odors.
• Look to see that the headliner is attached to the ceiling and that the windows are working properly.
• Check the power door and window locks.
• Start the car and examine whether or not dashboard lights stay illuminated, and whether or not the A/C and heat or working effectively.
• Cars come with a variety of technologies and features that should all be tested, including the audio system, lights, turn signals, and so on.
• Windshield wipers and wiper fluid should be tested.
• Adjust each seat to see if they fold correctly.
• Open and close the sunroof if it is included in the car.
• Test the parking brake.
• See if there is an inflated tire with a kit in the trunk.
• Ensure that the key fob works and a spare key is given to you
• No mildew or mold should be present anywhere, including the trunk.

How to Test a Car’s Performance

Perhaps the most important aspect of buying a used car is determining that it delivers solid performance. You’ll want to start by popping the hood and getting a look at the inner organs of your potential car. From here, there are a few things you’ll want to look closely at:

• Is there rust in the engine bay?
• Are the battery terminals rusted or corroded?
• Are there any leaks underneath the car?
• When you turn the car on, is there smoke coming out of the exhaust or odd smells and/or noises?

Once you’ve begun to drive the car, you should be alert to any shaking or vibrations, and pay attention to how the brakes work as well. Are they responsive? Do they screech or otherwise make noise when you use them? Does the car pull to one side or the other when you press them? Finally, confirm that the car shifts gears and reverses smoothly and without noise. If your car passes these tests, you will feel much better about the investment you’re making into your transportation.

Shop for Used Cars with Midlands Toyota

There are a few final things you’ll want to check up on before you go through with your purchase including the car’s mileage matching the CarFax report, the year, and the title from the owner if it is a private sale. If the car was on when you arrived, turn it off and start it again for an extra measure of caution. Once you have performed these checks, you will be certain you made a good decision in purchasing a used car from the large inventory at Midlands Toyota.

Serving customers from Orangeburg, Lexington, St. Andrews, Dentsville, Columbia and all of the surrounding areas, the used car department at Midlands Toyota has earned a reputation for providing an exceptional customer service experience when it comes to finding a quality pre-owned vehicle. We realize that not everyone is able to afford a brand new vehicle, so we keep a full inventory of quality pre-owned and Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV) on hand for our South Carolina customers to explore and select from. The used car inventory at Midlands Toyota includes vehicles of all makes, models, shapes, sizes and colors, allowing our customers to search for and find the one that is best suited to meet all of their transportation needs. The friendly and knowledgeable staff that make up the Midlands Toyota used car department will take the time to learn exactly what you’re looking for in your next vehicle, and help find the pre-owned car, truck, SUV or van that is a perfect fit for you at a price that you’ll be able to afford. For an incredible deal on your next used vehicle, make sure to check out our regularly updated Used Car Specials. You could find the exact vehicle you’ve been wanting at an incredibly low price that you simply won’t be able to find anywhere else in Columbia, South Carolina.

Credit Assistance Programs Available for Your Convenience

The Midlands Toyota finance department is comprised of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable finance experts you’ll find in Columbia, and they’ll work hard to get you approved for the pre-owned vehicle that you’re wanting. Our Credit Assistance Programs are available to all of our South Carolina customers regardless of what their credit history happens to look like, helping them obtain the pre-owned or Toyota Certified Used Vehicle that they’ve decided to purchase. We know that not everyone can have a perfect credit score, but we don’t think that should disqualify you from obtaining a high-quality pre-owned vehicle that is able to meet all of your specific needs. Visit Midlands Toyota in Columbia, South Carolina today to look over our full pre-owned and Toyota Certified Used Vehicle inventory to find the vehicle you’ve been wanting, then let our experienced and knowledgeable financing experts take care of everything else.

Dealership Dedicated to Customer Satisfaction

Conveniently located at 240 Killian Parkway in Columbia, South Carolina, Midlands Toyota is located just a short drive away from our Dentsville, Orangeburg, Lexington and St. Andrews customers. We you purchase a vehicle from us, you become a part of the constantly growing Midlands Toyota family. We know that finding a quality used vehicle at a reasonable price that is able to satisfy all of your needs can be a frustrating and exhausting experience, so we make sure that we do everything in our power to provide a relaxing and comfortable car-purchasing environment to every customer that walks through our doors. When it’s time to purchase your next used vehicle, refuse to settle for anything less than the best. Come and browse the high-quality pre-owned and Toyota Certified Used Vehicle selection available now at Midlands Toyota!