Posted on 8/29/2025
When shopping for a used vehicle, you may come across listings for former rental cars. These cars often sell for less than similar vehicles from private owners or dealerships, which naturally raises a question: is the lower price worth the risk? Let’s break down the pros and cons of buying a former rental car and explore what to check before making your decision. Why Former Rental Cars Are Common in the Used Market Rental companies keep large fleets of relatively new vehicles and rotate them out every couple of years. Once these vehicles hit a certain mileage, usually between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, they're sold to used car dealers or auctioned off. Due to their short time in service and regular maintenance schedules, rental cars often appear to be a good deal on the surface. But there are a few important details to look at before you commit. The Upside: Lower Prices and Newer Models One major advantage of buying a former rental car is ... read more