5 Things To Check Before Buying a Used Volkswagen

Coastal California cities are expensive, and Riverside is no exception. Riverside has a 33 percent higher cost of living than other US cities. Quite obviously you will make efforts to save costs on other things. So, what can be better than saving costs on transportation? Since 75 percent of the people in Riverside rely on private vehicles for long commute hours, opting for used vehicles can help you save a lot of money. 

If Volkswagen is a brand of your choice, you have become ready to visit a  Volkswagen dealer in Riverside. However, before getting your hands on a good car model, you must know a few things.

Read the following for details.

1. Service records

First, you would want to know how the past owner treated the machine. You must specifically go through factory-prescribed maintenance and oil change intervals in the owner’s manual and make sure you have a record of everything.

You must check whether the previous owner treated the engine to spark plug, filter, and oil changes. It could be vital in fending off potential issues with intake valve gunk.

2. Intake valve gunk

Modern Volkswagens use a direct-injected engine that suffers from gunk deposits. The buildup occurs when deposits get collected on intake valves. In regular engines, fuel injectors have spray action that washes the deposits away, which doesn’t happen in direct-injected engines.

Intake valve gunk leads to sporadic and poor performance, lazy or weak threshold response, long cranking time at engine startup, and a rough idle.

If you come across any of these problems during your test drive, you must ensure that the Volkswagen dealer in Riverside investigates them thoroughly. Gunk buildup in the valve can cause many problems, but early and regular checking can help prevent them.

3. Diagnostic scan

Since it takes over an hour a day for a regular commute to work in Riverside, you must not take the matter of a diagnostic scan lightly. A diagnostic scan reveals various potential problems in different vehicle systems and components.

When the scan is done in a professional setting, it can help the technician identify and repair the issues immediately. Therefore, you have confidence and peace of mind with your purchase decision and prevent any pricey repairs.

4. Modifications

You may find that many Volkswagen owners use non-factory parts to modify their vehicles. Modifications make the cars look unique and improve their performance. It can be excellent if you want to go off-roading in the rugged terrains of Eagle Canyon Trail or Mount Rubidoux Trail.

While some car enthusiasts know to install the modifications and enjoy them daily, some mods may cause component damage and wear away machine parts or void warranty coverage. So, be careful if you buy car models modified with non-factory parts.

5. Engine

Some Volkswagen have diesel; some have gasoline, while others have hybrid engines. You can go for a pre-purchase inspection if you buy a car model with a diesel or hybrid engine.

Hybrid and diesel-powered engines have more components and systems than gasoline-powered models, so a thorough check by a factory-trained technician will help you assess the engine’s condition. The pre-purchase inspection process is usually quick and affordable and helps you save money in the long run.

When buying a used vehicle, you should do everything to make the purchase worthwhile. So, if you have a low tolerance for risk, you can pay for an extended warranty and get added protection. If you are okay with taking some risks, you can lock the funds away and use them for future repairs and maintenance.