What to look for when buying a used MINI Cooper

Top Tips for Purchasing a Used MINI Cooper

Purchasing a vehicle is a big investment. It is actually the second-largest investment aside from buying a home. What should you know before making the purchase? What strategy would you have when looking for your next vehicle? We have a few suggestions.

Advice from a MINI Cooper Enthusiast - Chi

One of the major benefits of purchasing a used MINI Cooper is that you don't have to deal with depreciation. However, you need to factor in potential services and maintenance. There are three strategies - The first one is to buy a significantly lower-than-market-value car, the car that has some major problems which will need to be repaired before put to use, but not a salvaged title. You will have the opportunity to fix the issues to make sure the car will be running properly and safely. Therefore, there are 2 parts to the budget to get the car, the purchase price of the car plus the repair cost. The second strategy is to spend a little extra money on a car with a clean title and a good maintenance record. It comes from a reliable owner and is most likely free of abuse. In the event of a likely repair or maintenance in the future, you’re not going to be surprised with some major issues or big fixes that need to be done on the vehicle. The third one is kind of in-between. You don't necessarily know the vehicle history, and you’re paying a fair market value price for the car. It is like rolling the dice, when you can be lucky enough to have picked the best car possible, but can also be unlucky to have picked a car that needs to be fixed soon. That is what most people fall into: buy at an affordable price at that point without knowing the full history of the car. This would mean you might be buying a repossessed car or flooded car without knowing it. Regardless of the vehicle’s condition and the price you will pay, it is always a good idea to get a pre-purchase inspection or post-purchase inspection. You should talk with the expert that inspected the car to understand the condition of the car and how much extra you would expect to prepare for upcoming service or maintenance.

Advice from a professional in the industry - Andre

Pre-Purchase Inspection If you are going to buy a pre-owned car, whether you buy it from a dealership, a second-hand market, or an individual, get a pre-purchase inspection at a trusted shop. Get your car inspected and see the condition of the car. See how much extra money you are going to pay to get the car running properly. There is always going to be wear and tear here and there on the used cars, and they are usually out of the factory maintenance period. Expenses That Would Come Along When you buy a used car, bear in mind that there will be more expenses for services and maintenance compared to the new cars. Sometimes the cost is not upfront, but you will have to allocate a budget for it regardless. There are two types of expenses: the expected expense of maintenance, and repair cost. With those repairs or maintenance that are needed, if there is a budget, you always want to prioritize safety-related issues. Be objective and do your homework In order to sell and get commissions, people in the selling position would, sometimes, put in a lot of good words on a car that isn’t worth the praise and sets a high expectation for customers who are interested in buying it, only to find out later that the car is problematic. It is necessary to do your homework before purchasing a car: check reviews of the dealer/platform you are buying from, check reviews on the car. Buy a certified pre-owned vehicle from a reputable used car dealer The Mini Cooper dealer or reputable used car dealers would be more likely to make sure the car is in good and working condition as part of their pre-sale inspection. Purchasing an extended warranty is an option to add some extra layer of assurance.

Your trusted European Specialists

Import MotorWorx is the #1 Dealers’ Alternative for drivers in Los Angeles and South Bay who need a pre-purchase inspection. Our auto mechanics have years of experience in European vehicle repair and have access to the most current tools and technology in the constantly evolving auto industry. Come visit us today for a pre-purchase inspection and see why new clients become lifetime customers. If you need a pre-purchase inspection, our team of experts will fully inspect the vehicle, tell you if there are leaks, what kind of condition it is in, and if it needs any type of auto repair work. Our pre-purchase inspection is very affordable and it only takes about 1-2 hours to complete the inspection. Here’s a recent 5-Star review from a customer: Reuben J Sanchez Positive: Professionalism, Quality IMW was very professionally managed and a great experience for my first time. I just got a new preowned vehicle which had some brake issues during its trial period. IMW worked seamlessly with the warranty holder and fixed my problem promptly. My brakes do not squek any longer. Then an improperly installed windshield wiper the next day had to also be addressed. Aaron the shop manager addressed in a drive in visit and just gave and installed new ones. Very nice and helpful. I had wanted to take my old mini there, but did not get a chance to before selling it. Now with my BMW, it will be the only place I take it! Thanks Aaron and thanks IMW!!! Import Motorworks is dedicated to offering drivers in and around the Los Angeles and South Bay areas first-rate auto repair and customer service. Please call us for pre-purchase inspection services, schedule an appointment online, or visit us at 5879 Washington Blvd Unit C, Culver City, CA 90232 or 4623 Artesia Blvd Suite 2, Lawndale, CA 90260. You can count on our team of skilled European auto mechanics to provide services that are second to none. We look forward to giving your vehicle a premier pre-purchase inspection so you and your passengers can feel secure on the roads.