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Serving Knox, Anderson, & Surrounding Counties

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8 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Used Car

Think of buying a car as a game of poker, the seller is your opponent he may be bluffing he may not, but just as you would at a poker room in a casino you have to try to read the seller like you would in a poker room in a casino.

Always remember to keep your eyes and ears open, when talking to someone about a used car. Make sure to ask lots of questions.

In a casino you are risking your money, in hopes of getting a big return, but when buying a car you just want to get your moneys worth, you want a car that will be reliable and dependable. You do not want a car that wont start on cold days or that stalls until its been running for a half hour.

Make sure to check the undercarriage and under the hood for rust. To a car rust is like cancer. Once rust is found it will spread unless it is cut off and replaced. Under the car and in the engine compartment you will find some rust it is only natural, but you want it to only be surface rust. This means if you take a wire brush to the rusted area you will brush off the rust and get to clean metal.

Next make sure to check the body of the car, for waves and any bubbling in the paint, this would indicate that the car was in an accident or some rust was incorrectly repaired. It is not uncommon for someone selling a car to have rust spots sanded down and painted over to give the car a fresh look, but what will happen is after a month or two the paint will start to bubble as the metal begins to rust again.

Next, look at the motor and mechanical parts under the hood of the car. The engine should be relatively clean from motor oil. If you see large buildups of oil in an area then chances are a head gasket will need to be replaces because of an oil leak.

All electrical and rubber parts should be checked for cracks. Cracks in rubber parts means that the rubber is old and dried out and will probably need to be replaced eventually.

Make sure to ask the owner if he has all the receipts for any work that has been done to the vehicle.

Another important piece of advice is to make sure to take the car for a good test drive. Do not be afraid to drive the car a little hard with the owner with you in the car, chances are they will understand, if they object then maybe there is something with the car they are trying to hide and you should move on to another car.

Many people will tell you that buying a used car is a gamble but if you take a good hard look at each car, and not get impulsive to buy, you can remove any gamble and guarantee yourself a jackpot of a car.
Reliable Tires

Remember different kinds of vehicle require different kinds of tires. So, you must do some research on your car type and its matching tire type. Do not trust the previous owner if you are buying a used car. Make sure it has compatible car tires. Tires are good for varying conditions, last for varying lengths of time, and cost varying amounts to replace. You must know what type of car tires would work the best in your area. Conditions such as extreme heat, frequent rain or snow, or heavy winter weather are some to consider when you are looking to purchase tires, or to purchase a vehicle with its unique tire needs.

Savings

Buying the appropriate tires for your car ensures lowered risk of mishap thus, lower insurance premium. Again for special usage cars such as racecars you can get a good insurance premium value if you make sure you use tires specifically made for such cars. High performance tires may cost more than the normal tires but using them saves a lot of money. Driving on tires with worn-out tread can be extremely dangerous, especially in severe weather conditions. If any accident is caused in such conditions you will not only loose money in insurance but also have pay from your pocket to reimburse for the damage caused by your car and to your car. Different vehicles need different tires and also come with different insurance rates charged by different companies that insure you and your vehicle under different amounts. Thus, make sure your car tires are safe so that you are saved from insurance hassles later on.

EMMITT Breeding
EMMITT Breeding

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EMMITT Breeding
August 27, 2025

Was able to be worked into his schedule within two business days, and was able to completely and efficiently repair the glass. Michael is a great guy as well, and was able to help me out in a bind.

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K G
August 27, 2025

Mike answered my call within a couple of rings, told me what to do with my insurance claim and came to replace my windshield the next morning. Highly recommend this company! The convenience of not taking my car to the dealership was a gamechanger!

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Ezequiel Jose
August 21, 2025

Fast and professional service will definitely recommend their services, and use again in the future.

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Dana Bobo
August 18, 2025

I had the excellent experience today with Mike very Punctual, Professional, and my window was replaced very quickly.

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Robin Jones
August 18, 2025

Very nice prompt and professional guy

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Bryan Wasmundt
August 15, 2025

Very pleased with the windshield replacement! Very fast and great service.

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Mona Hopper
August 11, 2025
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Abby Hixson
August 11, 2025

Done in under an hour & great price! Moved his schedule around to squeeze me in as well. Highly recommend 🙂

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Yaz
August 7, 2025

Very affordable and genuine. Can tell he really wants to help and get the job done. I would definitely recommend!

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Ashley Gomes
August 6, 2025

Mike saved me. I was quoted for an astronomical amount for a windshield replacement through my auto insurance for my 2024 Chevy Trailblazer. Mike quoted me at well over half the price. He came right to my residence in less than 24 hours and installed the new windshield within 1 hour. He saved my pockets from crying and got the job done at a way better price. Really glad I found him.

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Amber Lane
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June 12, 2025

The service was fast, courteous, and professional. we were extremely happy with the job and the pricing. I would highly recommend.

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Blake West
May 7, 2025

Mike was easy to communicate with, had a fair price, and got the job done quickly and correctly. I’d recommend him to anyone and would use him again.

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Micheal was great to work with and did an awesome job on my windshield. I would definitely recommend.

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Great service! Booked us quickly and very affordable!

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Ben Dimitrov
May 2, 2025

I had a great experience with Mike! He came and replaced the glass on our Acura sedan. Very professional and convenient, thank you for your work! I recommended him to my friends.

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Sandy Gammon
April 23, 2025

Michael was the best! Quick response time; fast service; polite; and reasonably priced! I will def contact him again for my windshield needs!

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Kenneth Beckendorf
April 8, 2025

Great experience with MAGS. Had a busted windshield and he came to the house and replaced it within 45 minutes! Will be using them again

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Lyric Simmons
April 1, 2025

Convenient, reliable, and will beat out any price around. 10/10

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Sumer Fletcher
February 25, 2025

Great service. It was done in timely fashion and was very professional. DEFINITELY would call them again

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Alyssa McKay
February 24, 2025

Absolutly amazing service from M.A.G.S!! They were very kind when scheduling, very fairly priced, and super quick!! Highly recommend!!

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Allison Watson
February 22, 2025

Micheal at M.A.G.S absolutely blew me away. His professionalism, his quality of work, his timeliness, efficiency AND PRICING! I was referred to his business when I was discussing options available for windshield replacement/repair with my Machanic. I had called around SIX OTHER glass repairs from Oak Ridge, Knoxville ALL THE WAY TO Lafollett trying to find somewhere that could get to my car same day AND UNDER 400$!!! Every single place I called had a ridiculous schedule and even worse quote for replacement.. I called M.A.G.S not only did they answer promptly, he took his time hearing my concerns and needs, was swift to provide me with all the details of service and the best thing about it I didn’t even have to drop my car off. He came to me and replaced the windshield at MY convenience. The cherry on top of this sweet deal was not only did he provide me with a quote under 400$ but UNDER 300$!!!. Micheal is a master in auto glass and not being a major corporation he understands the value of a dollar. I was so pleased with the service he provided when I payed him I told him to keep the change. He deserved every penny. Best value out there. I am telling you. You won’t be disappointed!!!

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Sh Fr
February 4, 2025

Great service. I tried 3 different companies and he had same day service with the best price. Highly recommend.

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MARS LLC
January 31, 2025

Overall a great experience from start to finish. Professional, honest, reliable, quick and affordable. Will definitely recommend and use them in the future.

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Rio Mariucci
January 24, 2025

Awesome service, awesome dude, would recommend.

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Raymond Mcphillips
January 16, 2025

Fast friendly and fair pricing. They replaced 2 windshields in the same day. Would definitely recommend.

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KERI Smith
January 3, 2025

Prompt on arrival. Very knowledgeable and the price was the best in town (I called everywhere) Will definitely use again!

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Matthew Auer
January 2, 2025

Michael was punctual and professional. Couldn't be happier

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Victoria Jones
January 2, 2025

Super professional. Glass came quickly. Highly recommend.

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Ryan Felton
December 24, 2024

Mike did a great job at a fair price. Looks like new, highly recommend.

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Leyda Carrasquillo
December 11, 2024

Excellent service, very friendly and fast and the best price in the Knoxville area.

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Bronson Tolliver
December 10, 2024

Responded quickly had the Windshield quickly did the work 2 days early... Stellar in my book.

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Micah Bonner
December 10, 2024

QUICK - Very communicative and excellent work! HIGHLY recommend this service!

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briana mcduffie
December 7, 2024

my technician mike was very personable. my back window was fixed quick and efficiently, and the prices are amazing ! will definitely be my first call for any future auto glass repairs !

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Ghyslain Adkison
November 30, 2024

Scheduling the appointment was quick and easy. The team was incredibly responsive and accommodated my schedule, coming to my location at a time that was convenient for me. The technician arrived on time and was very friendly, explaining the entire repair process and ensuring I was comfortable with the work that would be done. The windshield repair itself was outstanding. The technician worked efficiently and with great attention to detail, making sure that the job was done right the first time. The result was a flawless replacement – my windshield looks as good as new! I was also relieved to find that there was no mess left behind, which speaks to the professionalism of the service. What really stood out to me was the convenience of having the repair done at my home. I didn’t have to take time off work or drive to a shop. It was truly a hassle-free experience, and I really appreciate the care and quality service provided by Mobile Auto Glass Service. I highly recommend Mobile Auto Glass Service for anyone in need of windshield repairs or replacements. They exceeded my expectations in every way!

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Tonya Wright
November 30, 2024

I couldn’t be more impressed with the service from Mike! My windshield had a nasty crack that needed immediate attention, and they made the entire process stress-free. They came right to my house, which saved me so much time and hassle. The technician was professional, friendly, and incredibly efficient. It was clear he knew exactly what he was doing, and the quality of the replacement glass was top-notch. I appreciated how clean they left the work area and how they ensured everything was done perfectly before leaving. The pricing was very reasonable, especially for the convenience of mobile service. I highly recommend this company to anyone needing auto glass repair or replacement. Their service is unbeatable!

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Jacob Sexton
November 29, 2024

Mike is great! His prices are very reasonable, he’s very professional, and on time. Had great experiences with him replacing my windshield as well as my back glass. Would use him again for any of my auto glass needs in the future!