We don’t need to tell you just how tight the economy is right now. Everyone’s tightening their belts, making the most of every penny and trimming the budget where they can. For some organizations, that means selling off portions of their vehicle fleet for a great price. But does a slim dollar sign mean a great deal? Not always. In general, there are two lines of thought when it comes to buying a used fleet vehicle. On the one hand, a fleet vehicle is almost certain to have had all of its maintenances performed on time or before it was needed. What’s more, most cars or trucks that have spent time in motor pools have more highway miles than privately owned vehicles.

Of course, the flip side to that coin is that fleet vehicles tend to suffer quite a bit of abuse at the hands of their drivers. Since the people behind the wheel generally aren’t responsible for maintenance or repairs, they don’t tend to care how hard the car is driven or how brutal they’re being to the car’s brakes and suspension – imagine the rental car race scene in Top Gun and you’ll get the picture.

So does that mean you should pass by all fleet service vehicles entirely? Absolutely not. Fleet vehicles offer a great deal compared to their standard civilian counterparts, but you do need to be careful when it comes time to look the vehicle over. Take the time to have the car examined by a mechanic you trust, and if he or she says it’s best to keep looking, take their advice. If the car you have your eye on gets the ok from the shop, just be aware that replacement prone parts like starters and alternators may need attention soon, and factor those costs into your budget.