The used car market in Utah offers a large variety of cars and trucks for potential buyers. As of May 13, 2011 the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles recorded 38,624 used car/truck sales. The State Motto for Utah is “Life Elevated” which denotes the state’s rugged, yet beautiful terrain. Many of the vehicles in this market are 4 wheel drive trucks and SUVs as they tend to handle Utah’s roads and highways better in the winter months. Used cars in Utah can expierience more wear and tear then other regions of the country, so making sure you get the best vehicle for your needs may take some research and comparisons. With most of the used cars in Utah being less than ten years old, the reliability and craftsmanship is much better than years ago. Utah’s terrain has famous features such as the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. The state also features many areas of arid deserts with sand dunes and trails for people to enjoy. Utah boasts many of the country’s most notorious ski resorts and contains many lakes for boaters and anglers. Many people in the state like to take advantage of the natural surroundings and place cargo space and towing capacity as top priorities when purchasing a vehicle. With many parts of Utah recieving more than 60 inches of snow in a season, 4 wheel drive can be a nessesity for getting around.

The top used car sales in Utah as of May, 2011 are as follows:

Ford: 5,022
Chevrolet: 4,910
Dodge: 3,471
Jeep: 1,216

Subaru, Nissan, Toyota, and Honda comprise the majority of foriegn used car sales in Utah. There is not a large market for European models, however they can be found.

Tips when buying a used car

-Always ask for a Carfax report of the vehicle of interest.

-Check the vehicle for rust damage. This can be prevelant in this region.

-Check the body panels for different shades of paint. This can be a sign of an accident.

-Check the tires for uneven tire wear. This can be sign of suspension/handling issues.

-Check the frame for missing “chips” of paint. This can be a sign of an accident.

-Always take your time when test driving the vehicle. Try to put yourself in different driving conditions to be sure the vehicle performs well at low and high speeds, passing situations, and severe braking.

-It is always wise to have an impartial mechanic check over the vehicle before you buy it. Most mechanics will do this for a nominal fee and it can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs in the long run.

-It is wise to purchase a warrantee on the vehicle, check outside sources for cheaper packages than your dealer is offering.

-Negotiate price and have a few different vehicles to compare.