There are plenty of situations where you may find yourself in the market for a utility vehicle but don't have the desire or means to invest in a brand-new model. Thankfully, there are plenty of great options on the secondhand market, and you can find some great deals if you're willing to shop around. Here are a few pros and cons of buying used utility vehicles if this is the path you decide to take.

Pro: Cost Effective

One of the most significant advantages of pre-owned carts is that they're generally much more cost-effective. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a vehicle you don’t think you’ll use very often, searching for pre-owned models at dealerships or from private sellers may save you hundreds, possibly even thousands of dollars.

Con: Choice Limitations

A problem buyers may encounter when browsing the pre-owned market is that you're slightly more limited in what's available. If you need to build a fleet of utility vehicles for your company, it's much easier to get 10 of the same model of a new cart from a dealership than you are likely to find 10 of the same cart from pre-owned sources. You can still find some incredible carts, but there's no guarantee you can find that one vehicle you hoped to find.

Pro: Free Upgrades

When considering the pros and cons of buying used utility vehicles, it helps to know that the previous owner may have made some beneficial upgrades when they had the cart. Many people add safety features, power upgrades, or fun accessories to make their cart more enjoyable for their experience. A benefit of buying a used cart is that it may already have some of these upgrades installed, saving you even more time and money since you don’t need to add them yourself.

Con: Shorter Lifespan

No matter how well the previous owner cared for their cart, they still had it for months or years before you bought it from them. That means there's some general wear on it. Maybe the tires need replacing, or perhaps they overcharged the battery, leading to it having a shorter lifespan. This use doesn’t mean that the cart isn’t worth the money you save over buying a new one, but that you may need to make repairs or look for replacement batteries sooner than you would with a new one.

When looking for pre-owned utility vehicles, it’s always a good idea to check out some trusted dealerships. We have great deals on used makes and models from the most trusted brands. Ben Nelson has Cushman golf carts for sale, and we’ve served the fine folks of Mississippi and Tennessee for over a decade. Feel free to stop by one of our dealerships or contact us anytime to speak with an associate if you have any questions or comments.