Today emergency vehicles are being sold out of used car lots just like the other luxury vehicles. Some consumers prefer used police cars on the belief they are cheaper, refurbished well and are guaranteed to have low mileage, as many police departments only use police cars for a minimal amount of miles. It is common for security companies, taxi companies, and civilians to purchase used police vehicles. Regardless of the reason, if you are in the market for a used police car it is important to check it out as you would any other used car.
According to www.used-police-cars.com, based in Texas, there are 10 things you should know before considering buying used police cars. These 10 things are:
1. Where did the car come from?
2. How many miles are on the car?
3. Has the car been in a major accident?
4. Has the car been modified or altered in any way?
5. Has the car ever had a major drive-line component replaced?
6. Does the car have a clear title?
7. Does the car have any noticeable damage?
8. Is the car from the north where they salt the roads in the winter?
9. Is it a real P71 Police Interceptor?
10. Does the company selling the car have experience and/or references selling/reconditioning used police cars?
Possibly one of the most important things about buying a used police car is the original title. Some used police car retailers may try to pass off a copy of the title to avoid showing who really owned the car. This could lead to you buying a car with extremely high mileage, or a used police car from the salvage yards. A copied title may also surface if the used police car came from a big city. If a used police car comes from a major metropolis, it has probably gone through a lot of wear and tear, and that is not a car you will want to park in your garage.
As you’ve probably noticed, these are the same types of questions you would ask if you were purchasing a used mini-van or sports car. And for the most part, buying a used police car is similar to buying any other used car. Nonetheless, there are qualities that make used police cars different from your everyday used cars. Police cars are equipped with about an extra 30 features that equip them for strenuous police usage, much different from normal passenger vehicles on the market. Some of these extra features include map lights, dual beam domes, heavy-duty batteries, engine compartment lights, and a heavy-duty alternator.
When you go to pick up your used police car, do not expect it to still be equipped with high beams and sirens. Most companies will strip the car of those features, although you may be able to have them installed for an additional fee. However, you will not have to worry about the car being tuned down. Most used police car retailers will leave the car in the same condition from the car factory, so it will be the same juiced police car, lacking only the stars, stripes and sirens.
By Venus N. Brady