Easterns Blog

A certified pre-owned Mazda is a great investment for shoppers who want to experience the unique benefits of the brand – from its high reliability rating and low maintenance costs to its ergonomic design that lends itself to a superior performance experience at a better price and with lower insurance premiums.

However, the difference between a worthwhile investment and a lemon is in the details, which shoppers need to weed through. Those looking to buy a pre-owned car should thoroughly assess the model and ask the dealership the right questions to confirm it’s been maintained to the same quality standards as a new model.

At Easterns Automotive, we ask the same questions while refurbishing our pre-owned models and work diligently to ensure each model in our vast inventory meets strict quality standards to maximize the value and recoup potential for our customers.

1. How Does the Model Look and Handle?

Be sure to inspect and test drive the model to confirm its high quality. Just because a car is pre-owned doesn’t mean it should be second-rate – especially if it’s a Mazda. The brand’s philosophy is centered around Jinba Ittai, or “the oneness of horse and rider.” When you’re driving a Mazda, it should feel like an extension of yourself, providing a seamless, immersive and exhilarating experience.

At Easterns Automotive, we ensure all our pre-owned vehicles meet their maker’s high performance standards. Our team thoroughly inspects our Mazda models’ engines, cabins and exteriors to ensure they retain the same performance capabilities, style and comfort of a newly released model. We work diligently to make our drivers feel at one with their pre-owned Mazda as soon as they settle into their seats.

2. What’s the Vehicle’s History?

Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) to review the pre-owned Mazda model’s history. This report will also give you valuable insight into the vehicle’s past, including any accidents, title issues and odometer readings. At Easterns Automotive, most of our Mazda models are only a few years old at most and have been thoroughly checked and repaired as needed to restore their quality and ensure a long lifespan for customers.

3. What’s the Warranty?

Determine if the pre-owned Mazda vehicle comes with extended warranty options and how long the coverage lasts. Even if an Easterns Automotive vehicle doesn’t have an existing warranty, we offer a seven-day return policy and 30-day / 1,000-mile warranty to give our shoppers peace of mind that, even if they run into an issue, we’ll address it promptly.

4. What Credit Score Do I Need to Qualify?

Shoppers usually require a credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a car loan. Some subprime lenders may accept 500, but you’ll typically have a longer loan term, which can result in a high interest rate. Certain dealerships turn low credit car shoppers away or take advantage of them by selling them limited-mile lemons – not us. At Easterns Automotive, we don’t stress over credit scores. Instead, Your Job is Your Credit™. All we need is proof of employment and our well-connected auto financing team will leverage our auto lending network to help you get an adequate auto loan for a high-quality car.

5. Can I Get a Good Loan for This Model?

Even if you qualify for auto financing, you’re not guaranteed a fair loan. Your chances of securing a good auto loan depend on not just your credit score and history, but also the type of car you’re trying to buy. A new car tends to be a costly expenditure that can raise your loan rate, but a cheap, pre-owned car that’s been shoddily maintained can also result in an exceedingly high loan rate because it won’t have a good resale value – which lenders depend on if you fail to make payments and they need to repossess and sell the car.

Our certified pre-owned vehicles offer the best of both, costing less while retaining a high resale value since they’ve been carefully inspected and brought up to Mazda’s high quality standards.

#1 Certified Pre-Owned Dealership for Quality and Flexible Financing in D.C. or Baltimore

The Easterns Automotive team makes finding a first-rate, pre-owned Mazda and securing a favorable loan easy and stress-free. Our auto loan team is ready to use our relationships with banks and financiers to your advantage, regardless of your credit score.

Get expert guidance through every step of the car buying process, from finding the right car to strengthening your application for an auto loan. Browse our Mazda inventory online or in person at one of our dealerships today.