Oct 25, 2019
Trust a preowned vehicle when you Think Thelen.

Buying a used vehicle can be a stressful experience, especially if you don’t know what to do.  One important step to purchasing a used vehicle, whether it be from a private party or from a dealership, is to know exactly what to expect under the hood.  Since the engine is one of the most important parts of any vehicle, it is helpful to know the history of it and if it has been maintained.  First and foremost, you should see if the vehicle owner or dealership has any maintenance records for you to review.  Based on the manufacturer recommendations, a vehicle should have an oil change between every 3,750 – 10,000 miles and it can become a problem if you drive a vehicle too far past an oil change.  This can cause some larger problems later if oil changes haven’t been kept up on! 

The timing belt is another important part that needs to be inspected.  If the vehicle is at a higher mileage and the timing belt has not been replaced, this could be cause for concern.   You should also make sure that the hoses and other connectors appear to be in good condition, otherwise those parts may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.  Last, use your nose when checking under the hood!  If you can smell burning oil or antifreeze, there could be leaks or larger issues. 

Here at Thelen Auto Group in Bay City, Michigan we offer a large inventory of gently used car, crossover, SUV, and truck inventory in a variety of makes and models for you to choose from!  A benefit of buying a preowned vehicle from us, is the knowledge that we have fully inspected that vehicle for any potential issues.  While we always give each vehicle a rigorous inspection, we encourage you to check out parts of the vehicle as well.  So, when you’re ready to buy your next new-to-you vehicle, you can trust you will have an excellent experience when you Think Thelen in the Great Lakes Bay Region!