What to look for when buying a Used Snowmobile
When shopping to buy a used snowmobile there are five very important things to look for. The cheapest or least expensive price you find for any make or model is not one of them. Here we go;
Number 1 | Overall Appearance
I know your mother has probably always told you, “beauty is only skin deep” but in this case it’s the first very important sign that the machine has been cared for or not. If you show up and the sled is neatly detailed sitting in a warm, dry storage or garage area with the track off the ground, you can be fairly certain that the owner took proper care of the sled. But, we still need to check under the hood…read-on.
Number 2 | Maintenance Records
Ask the seller to provide you with any maintenance records for check-ups or repairs that may have been made to the sled. If the owner is unwilling or says he didn’t keep the records, ask he or she if they could tell you where they had the sled serviced so you can check with the dealer for repair/service records. It would be very rare that someone didn’t take their sled in for even routine maintenance. Also, don’t get freaked out if you do see a repair order for damage of the machine. Most times the dealer can repair damage to a snowmobile to “Like New” condition.
Number 3 | Check The VIN Numbers
Ask the seller to provide you with the title so you can check the VIN or vehicle identification numbers. You never know if someone has stolen a sled and replaced parts of the sled with another carrying a different VIN number. It does happen and making sure to match the VIN number from the title with the VIN stamped into the chassis of the sled is a best practice when buying a used snowmobile.
Number 4 | Get an Inspection
Ask the seller if you can take the sled to the local dealer for an evaluation. Most people won’t mind bringing the machine to an authorized dealer for an inspection for safety and function of all operating systems like, engine health, clutch operation, suspension function, control operation, chaincase, brakes etc. If they do find something that needs attention, you’re in a great place to start getting estimates to negotiate final price details.
Number 5 | Take a Test Ride
If at all possible, ask to take the machine out on a test ride. This will be one of the best ways to see that the sled not only functions properly while out on the trail but it is also the correct tool for the job. This is especially true for a new rider who is unsure if the model or brand is the right machine for your riding style. Someone looking for a nice sled to ride trails is not going to be happy doing it on a deep powder sled and vice-versa.
So there you have it, you are now ready to go buy a used snowmobile, Congratulations!
Good luck shopping,
Driven
Driven Powersports 
I’m glad I came across your article about choosing a good snowmobile. Thank you for talking about checking the maintenance records of the vehicle. My dad and I are looking to buy a snowmobile, but we are afraid that we know little about it especially what to look for when purchasing. I see now how checking the maintenance records of the vehicle will give us a history of how the vehicle was used by the previous owner.
Thanks Mark, sorry it took so long to rerspond!