USED VEHICLES
While we do retain a select inventory of high quality, pre-owned vehicles on site, our specialty is searching outside of our inventory to match our clients with the perfect car.
Whether included in our inventory or found off site, all pre-owned vehicles must pass our stringent quality assurance check. And though it may slightly lengthen the duration of a search, our criteria are significantly stricter than even the most rigorous certified pre-owned programs, ensuring our clients receive only the highest quality vehicles. At Brazelton Auto, we find and sell only the best cars, and then put them through our stringent make-ready process where we spend an average of about $2,000 (about 3x industry averages). So our prices maynot be the lowest offered, but our clients are provided peace of mind knowing the car they purchase is of utmost quality, and save money on future service and maintenance.
At Brazelton Auto we don’t focus on the number of cars we sell, but on building lasting relationships with our customers by providing the best possible service and selling only the highest quality vehicles.
QUALITY NOT QUANTITY!
What is the timeline for finding a used vehicle?
Timelines vary considerably depending on the specificity of the search (color, add-ons, etc.), but searches generally last between 4 and 6 weeks to accommodate finding a vehicle that matches not only your specifications but also our strict quality requirements.
Where do you find used vehicles?
We search any viable wholesale avenue for quality vehicles. Most of our vehicles are purchased at “dealer only” auctions. We also buy from dealers on trade-in and from various fleet sources. Of course, our own trade-ins and lease turn-ins are also a great source. The more expensive the vehicle or the more specific your requirements, the broader we search. High-line cars are often purchased out of state and shipped in. We generally do not purchase from dealer retail lots; the economics simply don’t work since the dealer typically won’t accept a wholesale offer.
How do you know if a car has been Wrecked? How do you know if a car has been Flooded?
When searching for late model vehicles, we will not accept cars with any previous paint or body work. Previous wreck damage, even if repaired perfectly, materially impacts the value of the vehicle and thus does not meet our strict quality requirements. When searching for older vehicles, we occasionally include cars with previous paint work, which is always disclosed to our clients. Our expert technicians extensively check all vehicles, new or old, for water damage, and we will not accept any vehicle with any signs of previous water damage.
Do I have to make a decision sight unseen, and what happens if I don’t like the car when it arrives?
In general, we ask clients to make a decision sight unseen; our transactions with clients rely on mutual trust. Clients are provided a detailed description—including photos, color, condition, mileage, estimated value, options, etc.—and asked if Brazelton Auto should pursue the vehicle on our client's behalf. If the vehicle arrives as described, we move forward with the transaction. If a vehicle purchased on behalf of a client is not as described, or has undisclosed paint/body work or water damage, we can send the car back and find you another.
We recognize our process is unique, and some clients may not have experience purchasing a car in this way. There’s a comfort level associated with seeing the car first, but in reality, what are you looking at when you see it? Can you tell if it’s been wrecked? If the services are up to date? Are the brakes sound? If you’re like most, you basically want to confirm that it looks nice, and you assume if it’s pretty it must be a good car. Dealers know that. Generally all they worry about is “pretty”. We go WAY beyond that.
What is the difference between a "certified" car from a dealership, and a certified, pre-owned vehicle from Brazelton Auto?
A "certified" car is one under a manufacturer's program that ensures the vehicle is within certain year and/or mileage guidelines and has passed their technical inspection. The certification generally extends the factory warranty, and costs the dealer several hundred to a couple thousand dollars. The inspections vary in degree of stringency and detail; a vehicle with previous wreck damage can still be "certified," and dealerships typically do not disclose paint/body work. All certification programs, including luxury brands, allow two to three panels of previous wreck damage (i.e. both front fenders and the hood). Our vehicles are thoroughly inspected with the most stringent of mechanical specifications, far beyond the requirements of manufacturer's certification programs, and include a 90 day mechanical warranty and our famous Concierge Service (Loaner for Life). Further, most of our certified vehicles qualify for an optional full coverage extended warranty that we can tailor to best suit your needs.
How is the priced of a used vehicle calculated?
When we find a car for you, the price includes the wholesale cost, make-ready expenses, our standard mark-up, and if applicable, auction fees, transport charges, and aftermarket items. Based on the wholesale value of the vehicle and the preliminary inspection, we conservatively estimate total cost and present it to you as the preliminary price. If the wholesale price or make-ready expenses are lower than expected, your final price is decreased. If the total cost is higher than the price given, Brazelton Auto pays the additional cost. Clients never pay more than the original, preliminary price.
How does your pricing compare to other dealers?
At Brazelton Auto, our focus is offering only the highest quality vehicles; as such our prices may not be the lowest available, but the added investment in the car is saved several times over in future service and maintenance. Generally, you’ll find our pricing right within the market, but the quality of our vehicles stands above. We pay a fair price for a top quality vehicle, and then we put it through our rigorous make-ready process to ensure our customers receive the best possible car at a fair, competitive price.