A jet ski is a fun super-machine. Anyone who lives near a body of water and owns one knows that thrills are always just a brief trip away. If you’re not an owner of a jet ski or boat yet, you might be wondering whether or not it’s a good idea to buy used. This is your brief primer to read through before buying used. After all, we all know that buying used is going to save you money, but are you going to receive the same kind of value you get when you buy new?
Things to consider
1. Do you live in an area where you’re legally allowed to jet ski?
Some bodies of water don’t allow for jet skis. If you’re living in one of these areas and don’t want to travel to use it, then buying one, in general, might not be a great idea.
2. When you buy used, are you going to get a copy of the title?
This is the first red flag to look for! If you are buying a used jet ski from someone who isn’t going to give you a title, then you need to cancel the purchase altogether and find someone who is going to provide a title. You MUST have this. Always check the HIN and VIN number as well to make sure you’re buying the jet ski they claim is on the title.
3. Do your motor homework!
If the motor shows signs of wear and tear, you might be in for a very short time of fun. Damage on the outside generally means damage on the inside, and this can greatly reduce the amount of time you’ll be able to enjoy your purchase.
4. Check for leaks.
Any sign of leaks is a deal breaker. If your jet ski sinks, that’s no fun!
5. Start the jet ski.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you would not believe how many people buy a used watercraft and don’t even bother to start the thing before they get it home. Start it! It may or may not work and you need to know.
6. Head colour.
The colour of the head will turn a different colour from the rest of the craft if it’s overheated. If it’s a different colour, you may be dealing with a damaged jet ski. That means buy somewhere else.
7. Wiring problems.
Bare wires can be a disaster and even cause physical injury to the rider of the watercraft. Don’t let someone sell you a vessel that has loose or exposed wiring. After all, you’re dealing with water here, and no one wants the shock of their life when they go out for a day of fun.
We would all like to believe that someone who sells us a used jet ski has our best interests at heart and would never sell us a damaged machine, but we also know that in this day and age, there are people out there who make a living selling used junk that doesn’t work right or doesn’t work for very long. Before you take someone up on what seems like a great deal on a used jet ski, make sure that you check these 7 things. If everything is all clear, enjoy your fun! If you are needing jet ski finance to contact us today.