How To Buy The Right Used Golf Cart

Golf carts nowadays aren’t just restricted to the fairway. They show up on residential, education, or business campuses, on trails, off-roading, and more. Buying one of these compact machines can even make life easier and more convenient for those with limited mobility! But compact as they are, a golf cart can still be a substantial investment. If you’re struggling to stretch your dollar, consider buying one used.

We here at Revel 42 - Wilmington know that word can seem daunting, so we’ve put together a quick guide to help you buy the right used golf cart. If you need more help or advice, or you’re just ready to see the selection of used golf carts we have for sale, then contact our store in Wilmington, North Carolina. Our friendly and experienced staff will work with you to find what you need at the prices you want!

Getting Started

Buying a used vehicle can be a tricky process. In order to achieve the best possible outcome, there are a few things you’ll need to understand before you purchase anything.

Terminology

When you start your hunt for the perfect golf cart, you’ll notice a couple of terms to describe carts that aren’t factory-fresh: “used” and “refurbished.” It’s important for your search that you understand what each of these terms means.

If a cart is described as “used,” all that means is that it has been purchased and has left the dealership it was found at. Whether they’ve been owned for a day and never driven or have years of riding under their proverbial belt, they are “used.”

“Refurbished” carts, on the other hand, are models that have been in use for quite some time. These can have a fresh coat of paint, full tires, and new upholstery, but the mechanical systems may still need work. Or maybe they’ve had so many things replaced that only the chassis is original. That is entirely up to the dealership or independent seller, so if you’re looking at a cart with this label, ask the seller how they define “refurbished.”

Research Options 

One of the benefits of a used golf cart is that there are more resources available for you to research the model and its pros and cons. Companies will always advertise their products as perfect, but other owners and independent reviewers online will give you a better look at the machines in question. Take some time to read customer reviews and forum posts from current and previous owners to see if there are any common threads. If you see consistent complaints about specific systems that matter to you, or other mechanical or performance issues, you should reconsider your interest in that model. However, if customers leave constant positive feedback and high ratings, then you know you’ve found a model worth investing in. 

Find A Seller

The next step in your hunt is to find the right seller. You can either go to a dealership or a private seller.

Dealerships have a number of advantages. First, they thrive on customer feedback. They want to make sure you’re happy with your deal to keep their business booming. Private sellers won’t worry about Yelp reviews and have less incentive to give you a fair deal. Second, dealerships have multiple options all in one place, where private sales might require you to travel all around town to see your options. 

Evaluating Used Carts

Once you find a used golf cart you’re interested in, evaluate it by the following criteria.

Cart Age

Ideally, find a golf cart less than fifteen years old. Older models might be cheaper, but carts from around that time see more issues, need more repairs, and are harder to find replacement parts for. 

Battery Age

Golf cart batteries can be expensive, $600 or much more. Try to buy a cart with a battery that is younger than three years old, but if you want one with an older battery, factor in the cost of a new one to your budget.

Usage Hours

A gas golf cart with good maintenance can offer between 1,000 to 2,500 hours of use before it needs serious maintenance. Electric models can see between 40,000 and 50,000 amp-hours of use before they need an overhaul. Keep this in mind and factor it into your budget if necessary.

Visual Inspection

Thoroughly investigate the cart for any potential costly issues. On gas models, check the oil and make sure the engine starts easily. For electric, inspect the battery for corrosion and make sure connections are solid. 

Test Drive

Finally, see for yourself how the golf cart performs. Make sure it turns, accelerates, and brakes without difficulty. Also make sure the model fits you comfortably to ensure you’ll enjoy driving it for years to come. 

We hope this guide has helped you start your search! To end it with the perfect used golf cart, contact us at Revel 42 - Wilmington. We proudly serve the people of Leland and Carolina Beach, North Carolina—let us serve you today!