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When you purchase a used car, you are encouraged to research the vehicle’s safety ratings, vehicle history report and recalls.  When you search for recalls online, the site gives you a broad list for specific models, but a new tool allows consumers to delve deeper into recalls. Toyota of Dothan explains how used-car consumers can verify recall repairs. New Tool Offered by the NHTSA The NHTSA released a new tool on its site that allows consumers to research recalls for their specific vehicle, and the driver can verify whether the recall has been repaired.  The new online tool provides drivers with the following information: A complete list of unrepaired recalls issued for the vehicle List of recalls that have been issued for the car during the past 15 years Recalls issued by all major auto and motorcycle manufacturers All a consumer is required to do is enter the vehicle’s VIN into the search engine to reveal the complete list. How is the List Created? According to the NHTSA, auto manufacturers are required to complete weekly updates for issued recalls and the vehicles that have or have not had the repairs completed.  The NHTSA reassures consumers that the VINs provided by consumers through the site are not recorded, and the list of results is never retained by the site. What Doesn’t the Tool Show? There are a few things you will not see when you use the tool: Non-safety recall information International vehicles Recent recalls that do not yet have VINs associated with the recalls Recalls that date back more than 15 years Small manufacturers and some super luxury auto manufacturers.

SUVs are very popular, especially for those with families.  Perhaps you've thought about buying one, but aren't sure if it's your cup of tea. Toyota of Dothan is explaining the benefits of owning an SUV to help you decide for yourself. Power of the SUV An SUV often has a more powerful engine than a lot of cars do.  Usually they come equipped with a V6 or V8 engine, able to make a lot of horsepower.  With this power comes the ability to tow thousands of pounds, depending on the size of the SUV. Handling of the SUV In tough terrain, and poor weather conditions, their large tires and shock absorbers make them easier to drive than a car.  Many SUVs have four-wheel-drive capability that helps them too.  Because the driver sits up high, they can see dangerous conditions sooner than you would be able to in a car.  SUVs are now full of new safety features such as side curtain airbags and backup cameras, that eliminate problems that occurred with them in the past. Space in the SUV The reason they are so popular with families is because of their amount of interior space.  You can seat seven or eight passengers and still have room for cargo.  If you don't have that many passengers, they usually have a second and third row that will fold down or be removed for extra storage pace.  Some SUVs even have power opening tailgates with wide openings that make it easy to open, close, load and unload items.  Added space also makes for more comfort.

Shopping for used cars has a few more risks to consider than sopping for a new car.  When you are looking for used cars at Toyota of Dothan, there is less of a risk but if you are considering a used car from a private seller you will want to make sure the car isn’t going to cost you a fortune in maintenance or repairs after you get it home due to its history of being in a car accident.  Here are signs the car was rebuilt after an accident: Doors Won’t Close When shopping for a used car, always make sure to open and close all of the doors to see if they shut all the way.  If they don’t, chances are the car was damaged and bent in areas around the door that has trouble closing. Paint Problems Sometimes when a car is repaired, the auto body shop is unable to match the paint exactly; or the car owner decides to attempt to paint it themselves.  The result is usually mismatched paint in certain areas and is a dead giveaway that the car was damaged in some way. Trunk or Hood Don’t Lie Flat A common sign of a car that was in a side-impact crash involves a trunk or hood that won’t lie flat when closed.  If it doesn’t quite seem to fit correctly, chances are good that the car was twisted and bent in a car accident and then straightened out slightly.  Damages like these may also involve engine damages that you can’t see.

For those in the market for a reliable yet affordable vehicle should consider the many advantages of investing in a certified pre-owned vehicle from our Toyota dealership. We are confident you’ll find a vehicle in our inventory that meets your driving needs.   Some of the advantages of a certified pre-owned Toyota include: More Affordable Pricing If you need another vehicle or a secondary vehicle for your household but don’t have a ton of money to invest, a pre-owned vehicle from our inventory may be an ideal choice. You can still get the Toyota reliability and all of the latest technologies but at a more affordable sticker price. Quality and Reliability Two of the most important qualities in a vehicle are reliability and quality. Through our certified Enterprise area Toyota program, buyers can be assured the vehicle they choose has been thoroughly inspected by our team of certified technicians to ensure all systems and parts are operational and the overall structure of the vehicle is stable and safe. Big Selection Through our certified Toyota program we can offer you a lot of options when shopping for your next vehicle. We can help you select from a large inventory of pre-owned vehicles that feature a variety of technologies and conveniences in all shapes and sizes.   Schedule some time behind the wheel test driving your favorite certified Toyotas and our sales staff can help you narrow down your many options. We’ll be happy to help you find happiness and confidence in your next Toyota.

Toyota of Dothan offers many great vehicles in our inventory. Whether you need a second family vehicle or a reliable mode of transportation for your teen driver, see what we have to offer in vehicles and in deals.   Our Toyota dealership stocks many of the most popular Toyota models that have been certified to be in great condition. You can get all of the features and technologies you want in a vehicle without the high sticker price of a brand new model. We can even offer financing options on a Troy area Toyota vehicle that many other lenders can’t. Speak with our financial department in-house at our dealership and see what packages make the most sense for your financial situation.   When you come to visit our dealership, choose a few model vehicles you like and take the time to get behind the wheel. You want to make the right decision so you can drive home happy. Take several of your favorite vehicle models out on the road to see how they handle with you behind the wheel. You want to also check out and test the features and accessories included to make sure you are getting what you want.   Our service center team can let you know more about the vehicle you choose including the estimated ownership costs of the different models available. You want to make sure you can afford the vehicle you choose for the years to come. Let our sales staff know what you are looking for in your next Alabama Toyota and we will do our best to help you drive home in your favorite Toyota.

When you are looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle, you want to make sure you are getting a vehicle that is safe and reliable.  Toyota of Dothan offers Toyota Certified designation on the best of the best used Toyotas, and the perks are better than the competition. Toyota Certified Perks Toyotas that are 6 years old and newer with less than 85,000 miles on them are eligible for certification.  Toyota offers many benefits for their eligible vehicles. Toyotas go through a 160-point inspection and 174-point inspection for hybrids Toyota offers 7-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty Toyota offers 24/7 vehicle emergency assistance for towing, break down and fuel delivery The warranty is transferable Special financing and new car rates are available Honda Certification Honda only offers certification for cars that are 6 years and newer with less than 80,000 miles. Honda has a 150-point inspection Honda offers 4 year/100,000 mile powertrain Honda only offers towing coverage for components on the vehicle that are still covered under a warranty Offers special financing for certified pre-owned vehicles Volkswagen Certification Volkswagen offers certification on pre-owned vehicles that are 5 years old and newer with less than 75,000 miles on them. VW offers warranty transfer for $150 fee Volkswagen only completes a 112-point safety inspection VW offers 24/7 roadside assistance Offers special financing for certified pre-owned vehicles Hyundai Certification Hyundai certifies pre-owned cars that are 5 years old and newer with less than 60,000 miles. Warranty is transferrable Hyundai completes only a 150-point safety inspection 24/7 roadside assistance and towing Hyundai offers special financing for certified pre-owned vehicles