Buying an ex-rental car: what to check
Mileage, maintenance, paint, damage and papers: the checklist before buying a car from a rental agency's fleet.
The DriveGo team1 min read
Rental agencies renew their fleet and regularly sell recent cars. An ex-rental car can be a good deal, provided you check a few things. Here is the list.
Why agencies sell
An agency sells a car when its mileage grows, when its maintenance gets more expensive, or simply to renew its fleet. These cars often have a well-kept maintenance history, because the agency needs it to rent them.
The checklist
| Item | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Mileage | It is shown on the listing; compare it with the car's age |
| Maintenance | Ask for the service and repair history |
| Paint | The listing states whether the paint is original or panels were repainted |
| Damage | Ask whether the car had an accident and what was repaired |
| Tyres and brakes | Their wear says a lot about recent use |
| Papers | Registration certificate, insurance and inspections up to date |
The test drive
Try the car on different kinds of road: in town, then at higher speed. Listen for noises when braking and cornering, check the air conditioning and the electronics, and make sure no warning light stays on.
On DriveGo
Sale listings show the year, mileage, fuel, gearbox, paint condition and the selling agency, with "negotiable" when that is the case. You send your enquiry from the listing and the agency replies directly to arrange a viewing. The sale is concluded between you and the agency.
Live listings are on the cars for sale page, and by city, for example in Dubai.
Before you sign
- Re-read the listing and compare it with what you saw.
- Get the maintenance and repair history in writing.
- Check the papers and the ownership transfer procedure.
- Only pay once you hold the documents.
Ready to hit the road?
Compare cars from verified agencies, with the full price and the condition of the car.
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