Gladden Golf Carts and Accessories - Golf Cart Buying Truths

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Golf Cart Purchasing Tips

This page is to assist you in purchasing a used golf cart. Buying a used golf cart can be exciting BUT it can turn into a huge headache. I will list some helpful advice for you to purchase your next used golf cart. Even if you don't get it from me, you will have the knowledge you need to purchase the right one the first time.

95% + of used golf carts come off of golf courses around the country.

Check the batteries...You can check the date the battery was manufactured by lifting up the golf cart’s seat and looking at the numbers on the battery terminals. There will be a letter A-L that represents the month the batteries were made (A is January, B is Feb, etc.). The number that follows will be the year. For example C3 would mean the battery was manufactured in March of 2003, that’s an old battery!There are other devices that can be used to measure the performance of the battery, but those tests should be performed by a golf cart mechanic. Unless you have the tools and knowledge to test the batteries and cart yourself, a mechanic will be well worth the extra cost to check the soundness of a used golf cart before you buy it.

New or used...There are pros and cons to buying used vs. new. In car sales once you drive a new car off the lot the price drops. The same is true for a golf cart. While a new cart will come with brand new batteries and a warranty, the used cart may require more maintenance or new batteries. So you have to decide the best choice for you. The most important factor in getting a “good” used golf cart is to do your research. You want to make sure the batteries are not more than 2 years old as they can cost upwards of $750 to replace. Batteries that are older than 4 years will need to be replaced soon.

Inspect the battery cables. Also make sure the charger is automatic and does not require you to manually cut it off.

Northern carts are usually prefered because they are used less than Southern carts. With cold weather there are less rounds of golf on Northern Golf Carts. That does not make Southern carts bad it just means people want more money for the Northern carts.

Prepare for Repair. Just like cars, golf carts need to have repairs from time to time. Choosing a golf cart dealer who also offers free or discounted repairs for their buyers will save you time and money in the future.

Test Drive It! Test drive any golf cart you are considering buying. If it looks great but does not run like you might like it to, then keep looking.

Know Your Price. You can purchase a good used golf cart for between $2000 and $4000. If you rent golf carts often, this will pay for itself within a year.
Stay Away from As-Is. A big "Sold As-Is" sign on the cart you like should be a huge red flag. In many cases this means the dealer bought the cart as it was and did nothing to repair any problems. Additionally, they may not have even checked it for major malfunctions.

Say Yes to Reconditioned. A reconditioned cart is usually a safe bet. This means the dealer checked the cart for problems and fixed what needed to be fixed. Reconditioned carts often come with warranties or guarantees as well.

Inspect the golf cart tires for signs of wear or cracks. If they are bald and don’t have much tread left you may need to replace the tires. Golf cart tires range from $25 for an 8” tire to $40 + for a 10” tire. A new set of tires will cost you $100 to $200 depending on what size and type of tire you need.