The AVIS brand is synonymous with car rentals. It's a hard-to-miss red sign at airports and local rental offices in tourist hotspots. But did you know that AVIS Car Sales is also a vehicle shopping platform featuring an inventory of former rentals passed through its own inspection system?
You might think this is another website selling cars, but the company offers several unique features that make AVIS Car Sales quite different from the competition. Their inventory is notably smaller than larger retailers like CarMax or Carvana , but AVIS's pre-owned sales offices are located across the country. Let's take a closer look at how AVIS Car Sales works.
AVIS Car Sales: Homepage and Car Info
The AVIS Car Sales homepage features a straightforward setup that allows a search for cars within certain distances of a selected zip code. A filter can then narrow results by car make, model, body style, price range, and mileage.
Inventory is more limited in smaller cities but can be larger in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles. As of this writing, there were 712 vehicles within 25 miles of the 90210 (Beverly Hills) zip code. Availability includes a budget-friendly range of $10,000-19,999.
A close-up look at an individual listing reveals a detailed entry on the car with up to 30 high-resolution images. Information includes:
- Number of views for this listing in the past seven days
- VIN number
- Location
- Kelley Blue Book price vs. AVIS price
- Sample financing payments
- Odometer readings
- Fuel economy
- Powertrain and drivetrain
- Highlighted features
- Detailed specifications
A shopper can request more information, set up an in-person appointment and a test drive, or contact the lot directly to find out more.
Pre-Owned and AVIS-Certified
AVIS Car Sales likes to highlight its certification and inspection programs that help guarantee the quality level of all vehicles sold through the platform. As with some other aspects of the AVIS car buying experience, the certified program also has unique features.
All the cars sold through AVIS Car Sales were part of the AVIS rental fleet. That means they have a one-owner vehicle history and complete service history—something to consider if you're looking for a pre-owned car with a known background.
The other interesting part of the certification process is that the cars in the inventory can't have any open recall or safety campaign running against them. If there is, the vehicle isn't offered for sale until it's fixed.
Other features of AVIS' certified pre-owned system include inspections by ASE-certified mechanics. Each car goes through a rigorous multi-point bumper-to-bumper inspection process before going up for sale. The evaluation consists of a test drive with a review of the steering, brakes, and other mechanical components. The fluid levels and a long list of interior systems also get checked.
AVIS Car Sales: The Ultimate Test Drive
The other big part of the AVIS Car Sales difference is what the company calls its "Ultimate Test Drive" experience. If buying a car with a one-owner history and verifiable maintenance records isn't appealing enough, then an extended test drive should do the trick. A buyer goes online to schedule time for a two-hour test drive at their nearby Avis location. There aren't too many dealerships that encourage such an experience.
But it gets better. Another part of the Ultimate Test Drive is being able to keep the car for up to two days, at a cost starting around $70 per day. A two-hour test is helpful, to a point. But two days let a shopper run errands, commute to work, haul around the family, see if the car fits in the garage, and more. This also allows enough time to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle. Buy the car, and Avis will refund the two days of rental fees.
Do AVIS Car Sales Offer Warranties?
Warranty coverage for vehicles from AVIS includes any existing factory protection plus a 12-month or 12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty with a $100 deductible. Mechanical breakdown coverage provides a $35 per day rental car allowance for up to ten days, a $75 allowance for towing, and trip interruption help (up to $100 per day for four days if more than 100 miles from home). 24/7 roadside assistance covers up to $50 for emergency services like flat tires or running out of gas.
Can You Finance an AVIS Used Car Purchase?
While AVIS Car Sales doesn't offer direct financing, it works with lending partners, including local dealerships and credit unions. Programs include no money down and no payments for 90 days for qualified buyers.
Buying an AVIS Car: Yay or Nay?
AVIS Car Sales clearly offers its own unique advantages. It has a smaller selection, but the focus on quality and efforts to reassure buyers go a long way in boosting confidence. So, add AVIS vehicles to your shopping list if you're looking for budget-friendly options with known histories. Keep in mind that these vehicles tend to be less-exciting models, which is the nature of most rental car fleets.
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