Things To Check Before Buying An ATV Used

 

 

 

If you’ve ever ridden an ATV before, you know what a thrill it is. ATVs allow riders to traverse all kinds of terrains at high speeds.

 

It’s the ultimate adventure experience. 

 

ATVs are great vehicles for outdoor enthusiasts. And, while it can be great to rent an ATV, there’s nothing quite like owning your own. 

 

Buying an ATV, however, can be a daunting task. 

 

ATVs come in many different varieties and styles. With all that variation comes a variation in price tags. While some cheaper ATVs might cost less than $1000, other models can cost well over $10,000!

 

The options for buying an ATV are even broader when you consider used ATV options. 

 

Buying a used ATV can be a great way to save money, but only if you know what to look for. If you end up buying an ATV that’s in bad shape and needs a lot of work, you won’t save any money in the long run.

 

That said, it also doesn’t necessarily always make sense to pay top dollar for a brand new ATV, when a used one would have worked just as well for your needs.

 

So how can you make sure that you’re buying an ATV that’s both a great price and in good condition? How can you make sure you’re getting the best value?

 

This guide will help you learn some of the most important things you need to know when shopping for a used ATV.

 

 

Figure out what ATV is right for you

 

In reality, you don’t just buy an ATV. There are various types of ATVs available, and they are optimized for different uses. 

 

The first step to buying an ATV, then, is to determine what kind of ATV you want.

 

Let’s look at some of the most common options.

 

 

Utility ATVs

 

These ATVs are the most popular. This is in part because they have diverse uses.

 

As a recreational vehicle, these are great for covering rugged terrains. They’re particularly popular with hunters in rural areas.

 

Additionally, utility ATVs are useful for a variety of jobs on large properties. With they’re hauling abilities, they’re a great option for ranching and farm work. 

 

You might choose a utility ATV if you are looking for something that you can use for both work and play.

 

 

Sport ATVs

 

That said, while utility ATVs have high capability, they can also be a little slow and unresponsive. 

 

If you are looking for something that’s quicker, a sports ATV might be right for you. In fact, they are the vehicles that are used in racing and Motocross.

 

That said, the faster speeds might make these ATVs harder to handle for beginners. If you need something in-between, you might want to look for a sport-utility hybrid. 

 

 

Youth ATVs

 

If you’re purchasing an ATV for a younger rider, a youth ATV can be a good option. These vehicles are not only smaller, but they’re designed to be used by riders with little to no experience. 

 

The one drawback of purchasing a youth ATV is that the child will eventually outgrow it. Depending on the rider’s age and size, it might make more sense to get a standard model.

 

 

Where to look when buying an ATV

 

Once you’ve decided what kind of ATV you need, you’re ready to start shopping around.

 

With the internet, consumers have a wide range of sellers to choose from for buying an ATV. Where is the best place to buy?

 

 

Why you should consider a dealer

While you may be able to get a great price by going to a private seller, there are important reasons to consider going through a dealer instead. 

 

For one, dealers keep large inventories. This gives you more options to choose from, in a variety of price ranges. 

 

Additionally, buying an ATV through a dealer gives you more protection as a consumer.

 

Many dealers will offer a warranty, even on a used ATV. If you buy an ATV in a private transaction and it breaks down, you’ll likely be out of luck.

 

Additionally, if you go through a dealer, they may be able to offer you financing options. This could help you buy a nicer ATV than you would be able to afford if you were paying cash.

 

By taking advantage of ATV Financing you really open up your options and get can get a wider variety of vehicles which fit in your budget.

 

 

Tips for going through a private seller

 

Buying an ATV through a private seller brings unique challenges.

 

If you go through a private seller, you’ll want to spend more time inspecting the vehicle to make sure it’s in good shape.

 

For this reason, you should be particularly cautious if you go through an online seller. With an online purchase, you not only won’t have access to a warranty, but you also won’t have the opportunity to see the vehicle in person. 

 

Additionally, even if the seller includes pictures, there’s no guarantee that those pictures are recent.

 

If you do want to look at options on Ebay or Craigslist, try to choose a local seller. That way, you can set up an appointment to see the ATV in person. 

 

Whether you choose to go through a dealer or a private seller, make sure to look at multiple options. The more ATVs you look at, the more information you’ll have about what’s available, and what a good price is. 

 

 

What to look for in an ATV

 

Whenever you make a big purchase, you want to take the time to make sure you know what you’re really buying. 

 

When buying an ATV, you want to take the time to make sure that it’s in good condition, it runs well, and that you like how it handles. 

 

While most dealers will have their ATVs professionally inspected, it’s still a good idea to take a look at it yourself.

 

This is especially important if you are buying from a private seller. In fact, if you do choose to buy from a private seller, it might be a good idea to see if you can have the car inspected yourself. 

 

There are a few important things to look for. 

 

 

Look into its condition

 

Because of the ways riders use their ATVs, these vehicles can go through a fair amount of wear and tear. 

 

There are a few major things to look for when inspecting an ATV, like evidence of rust, or cracks in the plastic on the body.

 

Of course, the condition of the plastic has no impact on how the ATV will operate. What it does show you, however, is how well the previous owner cared for the ATV. A vehicle that looks beat up has likely not been treated well. 

 

Another way to evaluate the vehicle’s maintenance is to look at the oil.

 

First, is the oil at the proper level? What does the oil look like? 

 

Thick, black oil probably hasn’t been changed in a long time. Watery oil may indicate a leak. 

 

Additionally, check out the roll bar and handlebars for excessive denting. This might indicate that the vehicle was involved in multiple collisions. 

 

Other types of wear, like tears in the seat, or damage to the tires, could be easily repaired. Keep in mind, though, that these will be extra costs. 

 

 

Learn about its history

 

Just like with a car, the longevity of an ATV depends largely on how well it’s been used and maintained. 

 

Of course, you’ll want to start with checking out its age and the mileage. But keep in mind that age isn’t everything. A well-maintained and lightly-used 10-year-old vehicle might be a better option than a beat-up 3-year-old one.

 

It can also be helpful to know who used the previous vehicle, and for what. There’s bound to be a big difference between the way that someone in their 40s used an ATV on a farm and the way that a teenager used it for recreation.

 

 

Take the ATV for a test run

 

Looking at an ATV can only tell you so much. To really get a feel for it, you’ll have to get on the vehicle and take it for a ride.

 

While your test driving the ATV, there are a couple of things to look for.

 

Are you comfortable on the ATV? How does it handle? How responsive is it?

 

If you feel the ATV pulling to either the left or the right, that might be an indication that the alignment is off.

 

While you’re doing the test ride, make sure that the breaks work. Don’t forget to check the parking break as well. 

 

You’ll also want to make sure that features like the headlights and taillights work. These are very important for safe riding. 

 

Remember that different types of ATVs are better for different uses. You might want to consider test driving a couple different models, and see what you like better. 

 

 

Choosing the perfect ATV

 

Buying an ATV is exciting, but it’s also a process.

 

You want to make sure to do your research. This will help you determine what kind of ATV is right for you, and what kind of options are out there in your price range.

 

If you feel like you need advice from someone more experienced, check out our website and give us a call. We can be a great resource for getting help from other riders.

 

What do you think? What has been your experience when buying an ATV? Let us know in the comments!