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I have purchased many used rental cars. It is not safe to buy a rental car and here are a few reasons why:

1. There is a reason why rental car companies sell off their cars once they reach a certain mileage - they can't rent cars to customers that are likely to break down. Reliability of rental cars decreases exponentially with every mile they are driven. After reaching 25, 30, or 40 thousand miles, rental cars are prone to having serious mechanical problems so rental car companies get rid of them.

2. It is true that rental cars are serviced regularly but oftentimes, they are actually being repaired. This is not information that the rental car company is going to volunteer. They may not tell you even if you ask. Rental car companies usually sell their used cars "as-is" with no warranty, and purchasing one is truly a crapshoot.

3. Rental cars have a reputation for being abused because in reality, they are. Many drivers treat rental cars poorly. This kind of behavior will probably never be eliminated and it means that any used rental car you may buy has more wear and tear than it should.

4. Used rental cars are usually sold at auction where you are not allowed to perform a thorough mechanical inspection. If you were allowed to thoroughly inspect a used rental car, you probably wouldn't buy one. I have purchased many former rental cars and all of them had mechanical problems that needed to be fixed immediately.

In closing, if you really want to purchase a used rental car, go ahead. You may have better luck than I have had. From my personal experience though, I can tell you that purchasing a used rental car is a bad idea. Even if the price is extremely attractive, you will end up spending money on repairs. So the final cost of the rental car may end up being much more than an identical used car bought from a dealer or private owner.

Learn more about this author, Louis Albornoz.
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