A Beginner's Guide to Used ATV Buying
Shopping used ATVs for sale can be a strategic way to get the powersport vehicle you want at a price you'll love. Use depreciation in your favor to knock hundreds or thousands of dollars off of the asking price.
But knowing you want to shop used ATVs for sale and knowing the best way to shop are two different things. Below we cover some beginner's tips to finding the best used powersports vehicle for your needs. When you are ready to check out ATVs for sale near St. Louis or St. Peters, Missouri, head over to Big St. Charles Motorsports. We are an ATV dealer in St. Charles and are happy to help you find your perfect model.
Build Your Budget
A great place to begin is establishing a budget. Think about how much you can realistically spend. Remember to take into account the cost of any gear you still need to get, such as a powersports helmet or mini toolkit. As you look at ATVs for sale, you'll be able to eliminate models right away that are too pricey...before you fall in love with them. It'll also help you invest in the highest quality model that you can afford, getting the top specs and performance features for your budget.
Get a History of the Used ATV
When you visit an ATV dealer, you'll want to ask for as much information as possible for any of the models you are considering. Knowing more about the model's past can help you better predict how it'll perform for you in the future. It can give you insight about the likelihood of repairs and other issues.
Start by asking the ATV for a copy of the maintenance record and look for things such as repairs after a bad crash. Ask questions about how previous owners used the model, such as how often they rode it or what kinds of terrain they frequented. Get the PIN so you can do some outside research. A quality ATV dealer will be happy to provide as much information as they can to help answer all your questions.
Inspect the Used ATV
Next, you'll want to give the used ATV a thorough inspection. Here you are looking for any potential problems that could cause you headaches down the road, such as performance issues or costly repairs.
Start with the oil. If it's dirty, it could mean it hasn't been changed in a while and the previous owner didn't keep up with maintenance. Check out the frame for any bends and scratches, which can indicate bad crashes and possible internal damage. See if you notice any signs of rust, dents, or other damage. These could all result in expensive repairs later on. If there are any installed upgrades or modifications, make sure they've been installed correctly. If they haven't (or if they aren't compatible with your given model), the ATV could suffer damage. For example, maybe a previous owner added a new exhaust to increase their horsepower but didn't adjust the carburetor. This can cause the engine to run too hot and eventually fail.
Go on a Test Drive
Finally, take the used ATV out for a test drive. Here you are looking to ensure it performs well. You are also checking to see that it runs well for you. Make sure it fits well for your size and experience level.
Ready to check out ATVs for sale near St. Louis or St. Peters, Missouri? Visit Big St. Charles Motorsports for a wide range of choices. Our expert staff can help you find the right model for your budget, experience level, and lifestyle, so stop by today!