So you've bought a used car in the Waterford area. Do you know what you're getting? It is hard to know what you're getting because people in the Waterford area sell cars for different reasons. Think about why you've sold cars. Did you just want something new or were there problems that you wanted to run away from. Maybe it was a little of both.

Used cars in MI with 25,000 to 35,000 miles on them are often lease returns, corporate program cars or rental fleet vehicles. Most Waterford buyers feel pretty confident about these because they're newer and may still be under warranty. But how well have they been maintained?

Waterford drivers who are planning to own a car for a long time will keep up on auto maintenance so that they can avoid repairs down the road. But, if you know you're only going to have the car for two or three years, you may not be so committed to maintenance. It would be easy to think that skipping an oil change here and there wouldn't ruin a brand new engine. Then it'll be someone else's problem when it comes time to pay for the damage.

It is very tempting for Waterford drivers to skip the 30,000 mile service if they know they'll be turning in their leased vehicle in a couple of months.

If the vehicle didn't come with maintenance records, Waterford used car buyers need to assume the worst. Most likely the coolant system and transmission have never been serviced. The cabin air filter has probably not been changed and a fuel system cleaning at Complete Auto Center Pro may be in order.

You'll want Complete Auto Center Pro to check the A/C, battery, engine air filter, serpentine belt and hoses. A used car inspection at Complete Auto Center Pro is well worth the cost.

And if your “new” used vehicle has more miles on it, an inspection is even more important. Check your owner's manual or talk with your service advisor at Complete Auto Center Pro about what should have been done. Please don't forget the timing belt; that can be very expensive if it fails.

Complete Auto Center Pro will help you with a plan to take care of services and get the rest caught up. If your budget won't allow you to take care of everything right away, we can help you prioritize your needs and get it taken care of over the next several months. And remember to keep your maintenance records. They'll help you get top dollar on the MI used car market when it's time for you to sell.

Complete Auto Center Pro
5100 Dixie Hwy
Waterford, MI 48329
248.623.1400