Purchasing a used car can be a smart way to save money, and former rental cars often present themselves as appealing options due to their availability and potentially lower prices. A common question that arises when considering a vehicle from a rental fleet is: do car rental places repair their vehicles, and if so, how does this impact the car’s history and your potential purchase? This article will delve into the repair practices of rental companies, explore the pros and cons of buying former rental cars, and provide essential advice to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Rental Car Maintenance and Repair Practices
Rental car companies operate large fleets of vehicles and maintaining these fleets is crucial for their business. They need to ensure vehicles are safe, reliable, and presentable for each customer. This necessity leads to established maintenance and repair protocols.
Routine Maintenance: The Upside
Generally, rental car companies are diligent about preventative maintenance. They typically adhere to strict maintenance schedules, often more rigorous than those followed by individual car owners. This includes regular oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and other essential services. Sophisticated computer systems often track maintenance schedules, ensuring timely servicing and addressing manufacturer recalls promptly. This commitment to routine maintenance can be seen as a significant advantage of considering a former rental car.
Addressing Damages: What Happens to Rental Car Repairs?
When rental cars sustain damage, whether minor or major, rental companies must address these issues to keep their fleet operational. The approach to repairs can vary depending on the severity of the damage and the policies of the rental company.
For minor cosmetic damages like small dents, dings, or scratches, rental companies often undertake these repairs in-house. This allows for quick turnaround and cost efficiency. It’s important to note that these in-house repairs, particularly for superficial bodywork, might not always be reported to vehicle history services like AutoCheck or Carfax. This is a crucial point to consider as it means some repairs might not be immediately apparent when reviewing a standard vehicle history report.
More substantial damage, such as that resulting from accidents, is typically handled through insurance claims. These insurance-related repairs are more likely to be documented and appear on vehicle history reports. This provides a degree of transparency, allowing potential buyers to see a record of significant incidents.
Pros and Cons of Buying a Former Rental Car
Considering the maintenance and repair practices, let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a former rental vehicle.
Advantages: Stringent Maintenance Schedules
As previously mentioned, the rigorous maintenance schedules of rental companies are a major benefit. You can often be assured that essential maintenance tasks have been performed consistently and on time. This proactive approach can contribute to the vehicle’s mechanical soundness, at least in terms of routine upkeep.
Disadvantages: The Unknown Driver History
The primary concern for many buyers is how a rental car has been driven. While it’s impossible to know the exact driving habits of every renter, it’s reasonable to assume that rental cars may experience more “wear and tear” than privately owned vehicles. However, modern rental fleets often consist of newer models with lower mileage, mitigating some of this concern. Additionally, rental companies often set age restrictions for renters, which can statistically correlate with more responsible driving habits. Cosmetic wear and tear, such as interior stains, are more common but usually addressed before resale.
Key Considerations When Buying a Former Rental
When contemplating buying a former rental car, certain aspects deserve careful attention.
Vehicle History Reports and Hidden Repairs
Always obtain a comprehensive vehicle history report from a reputable provider like AutoCheck or Carfax. This report can reveal accident history, title issues, and odometer discrepancies. However, be aware that, as discussed earlier, minor repairs performed in-house by rental companies might not appear on these reports. Therefore, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is even more critical for former rental cars. This inspection can uncover any unreported damage or wear that might not be evident in a history report.
Options and Features – What Might Be Missing?
Rental companies sometimes order vehicles with specific configurations to reduce costs. This might mean that some desirable options, like premium sound systems, sunroofs, or advanced driver-assistance features, could be absent in former rental cars. In some instances, to minimize expenses, certain features like XM radio or OnStar might be omitted. It is important to carefully check the vehicle’s specifications and options to ensure it meets your needs and expectations. Historically, there have even been instances where rental companies removed safety features, highlighting the necessity for thorough due diligence.
Expert Advice: Buying Certified is Key
While buying directly from a rental company is an option, it’s generally recommended to purchase a former rental car from a new car dealership, and crucially, only if it’s factory certified.
Factory certification provides an added layer of assurance. Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs typically involve a rigorous multi-point inspection, often encompassing 150 to 180 checkpoints, conducted by factory-trained technicians. This inspection aims to identify and rectify any mechanical or cosmetic issues before the vehicle is offered for sale as certified. Furthermore, CPO vehicles usually come with an extended factory-backed warranty, offering peace of mind and protection against unexpected repairs.
The certification process significantly reduces the risk associated with buying a former rental, as it ensures the vehicle has met specific quality standards and is backed by a warranty.
Conclusion
Former rental cars can present a viable option in the used car market, offering potential cost savings. While rental companies generally maintain their vehicles well with routine servicing and address damages, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for unreported minor repairs and the unknown driving history. To mitigate these risks, always prioritize a thorough vehicle history report, a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection, and ideally, opt for a factory-certified former rental from a reputable new car dealer. By taking these precautions, you can confidently navigate the purchase of a former rental car and potentially secure a good value on your next vehicle.
