5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy a Rental Car
Written by
T. Woods
Edited by
Cory Dudak
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
There are a number of reasons why car shoppers would be tempted to buy a rental car– as CarGurus noted, former rental cars usually happen to be newer models, have received regular maintenance and cleaning thanks to being part of a rental fleet, and more often than not, buyers can purchase a rental car at a lower-than-average cost.
However, a blog post from McCarthy Olathe Hyundai laid out in detail why the risks of purchasing a former rental well outweigh and prospective benefits. Here are some of the main dangers to keep in mind if you are considering shopping for a rental car.
Rental Cars Have High Mileage
Danny Chan at McCarthy Olathe noted that while most rental cars are rather young (usually not older than five years), their high use equates to an average mileage of 60,000 to 70,000 for a vehicle that is only three years old. Compare that to a three-year-old privately-owned vehicle’s average mileage of 12,000 to 15,000. Extra mileage means increased wear and tear, a higher need for repairs and lapsed warranties.
A History of Rough Drivers
Most rental cars will have had several drivers before you purchased them — dozens, perhaps even hundreds. Odds are that a fair share were bad drivers, meaning all manner of bumps, dings and brake-riding have befallen the vehicle before you even set eyes on it. Furthermore, many drivers may simply see a rental car as someone else’s problem, and will not treat it with the care and respect they’d give their own.
Poor Variety
If you plan on buying from a rental lot, don’t expect a lot of variety. Most car rental businesses have a fleet of the same — or very similar — models, meaning you won’t be encountering a multitude of make and model options when purchasing.
Ambiguous Maintenance
Chan pointed out that while rental car companies must maintain vehicles per manufacturer specifications, “numerous past employees of rent-a-car places have stated that they’ve fibbed when making records of maintenance tasks.”
Poor Resell Value
Lastly, Chan argued reselling a vehicle that was once a rental might be rather difficult. If you’re honest and upfront about your ride’s past life as a rent-a-car, you’re probably going to have far fewer potential buyers (likely for the reasons listed above).
Wanting to save on buying a used vehicle is understandable, especially in today’s uncertain economic environment. That said, purchasing a rental car, which could be cheaper in the moment, may cost you far more in the long run.
More From GOBankingRates
