What Does Vehicle Reconditioned Mean?
We examine what "vehicle reconditioned" means: who performs vehicle reconditioning, what the steps are, and more.
If you’ve ever gone shopping for a vehicle, it’s clear no two cars are created equal. Some are in terrible condition, while others are as if they were never driven. Maybe you pick out a used vehicle, and the dealership offers vehicle reconditioning. Those new to this function might wonder - what does vehicle reconditioned mean?
Some used cars need all the help they can get, and vehicle reconditioning is a significant step. Those shopping for a used vehicle should be prepared to participate in this process if necessary. Keep reading to learn more about what vehicle reconditioning means, the steps in reconditioning, and other details.
What Does It Mean When a Vehicle is Reconditioned?
Vehicle reconditioning is a complex process that ensures a used vehicle is in the best condition possible before heading into the investor’s control It will pass several inspections, undergo repairs, and experience complete detailing to bring the car to a far newer state.
Reconditioning is making a used vehicle much closer to a new one. It ensures the next owner of the car that their car has undergone extensive review and is in the best possible condition before they use it. Most dealerships take reconditioning seriously to provide the best to their customers and create high-quality used car experiences.
Who Performs Vehicle Reconditioning?
Now that we’ve answered the question - what does vehicle reconditioned mean - who performs the reconditioning process? Although anyone can technically recondition a vehicle, smaller car businesses typically hire an outside person to do the reconditioning process. However, the dealership could do the inspections and many repairs themselves.
Larger departments will have their in-house reconditioning team that includes the following people:
- Diagnostic technicians
- Repair mechanics
- Interior and exterior detailing specialists
- Bodywork and paint experts
These workers are necessary to complete reconditioning in a larger vehicle dealership.
Some dealerships might have massive buildings or sections of land specifically devoted to reconditioning, which can be good or bad depending on the quality of the workers hired for the business. No matter what, reconditioning is a vital part of life for those at a used car dealership.
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What Are the Steps in Reconditioning?
There are typically seven steps in reconditioning. Each does its part in examining the state of the car and noting necessary repairs and changes before the vehicle goes into action or out on the lot. Let’s dive into the steps in reconditioning together.
Inspection
What does vehicle reconditioned mean? One of the first steps in answering this question is the general inspection of the car. No matter the state when it arrives at a dealership, there will be a professional inspection to clarify the overall state. There are around 100 items to look at.
An inspection also:
- Allows notes about service necessary to make it sellable
- Tracks money to be spent on a car
- Determines overall value of vehicle to dealership
This first step is crucial.
A professional can see the interior and exterior of a vehicle and decide what must occur to bring it back to its glory. From there, it’s ready for the second step.
Cleanup
After the inspection, it’s time for the first basic cleanup. The car must be cleaned and detailed to ensure it’s clean before all the other work starts.
Through the cleanup process, the following details might be removed:
- Bumper stickers
- Stickers
- Trim pieces
Anything personalized will be removed.
Paint treatments and wax coverings will also come off for repairs to the exterior or interior if necessary. Another critical aspect of this step is getting rid of any smells. People are less likely to buy a car if it smells like cigarettes.
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Mechanical Repairs/Maintenance
Once the basics of the vehicle go through cleaning, it’s time for the mechanical repairs and maintenance. These are below the surface and are critical for the function.
The car comes up, and technicians will:
- Perform an oil change
- Lubricate all moving parts and bearings
- Add new tires
- Perform other changes
They will keep their eyes peeled for extreme troubles.
Sometimes, there could be mechanical issues too expensive to deal with to bring any value to a dealership. Instead of fixing these, they will sell them at an auction to make some profit.
Exterior Repairs/Maintenance
Once the mechanical items are covered, it’s time for exterior repairs and maintenance. Dents and scratches are seen, and anywhere where the paint needs repairing, receives work. The appearance is, after all, what draws the eye.
Technicians also look at missing and loose pieces, bumper damage, mirror state, and windows. If any other repairs are necessary, the car goes to a professional, usually a specialist.
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Interior and Tech Repairs/Maintenance
When considering the question - what does vehicle reconditioned mean - it’s critical to remember part of the process deals with the interior features and the tech. These come to light after the mechanical and exterior selections are worked on.
Professionals will handle climate control, upholstery, speakers, and more. They add to the car’s value and are what they will notice the most - it’s where drivers and passengers spend most of their time.
Check on Warranties and Recalls
The vehicle must receive a check for warranties or recalls. If there were any fixes here, they must see what happened and be able to let the driver know what happened to the vehicle before they purchase it.
Recalls aren’t a bad thing, especially if the car is repaired. However, the investor deserves to know what the machine has been through.
Photos and Reselling
Finally, professional photos are taken and posted. The car is ready to be resold on the market.
Once in the lot, the vehicle will be cleaned often. No car is perfect, but a reconditioned used vehicle is much better than before. Reconditioning is an invaluable process.
Final Thoughts
There are ample steps in vehicle reconditioning, and they are all necessary. They work together to ensure manufacturers have quality products and investors feel confident in their purchase.
We hope this information is valuable. Vehicle reconditioning is a necessary process in getting a used vehicle to an optimal state.
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