Jet skis are great fun and owning one can be a hugely rewarding experience. However, with new models selling for thousands of pounds it can sometimes be best to buy a used jet ski first to see if ownership is the right thing for you.
As with any used purchase its always best to be as through as possible before committing your cash. In a way buying a jetski is now different to buying a car so follow similar principles to protect yourself. The following are the top 5 tips when buying your used personal watercraft.
Look for jetskis with few owners and low mileage
This tip is really common sense. If you're buying a used jet ski, then avoid buying one that's been run into the ground and will ultimately cost you a fortune in repairs. A couple of owners isn't a problem but avoid ones which have had several as it probably suggest their is an underlying problem with the PWC.
Look for a full service history
Jet skis, just like a car, require routine maintenance and repairs. It's always best, though not always possible, to look for one where the owner has been diligent about maintaining the service records for their personal watercraft. Otherwise you will have no way of knowing what work has been done or when, or worse have no way of knowing if no service has been done on the PWC.
Inspect the jet ski before you buy
If you can try to buy locally so that you can inspect the jet ski before you buy it. Don't think that the picture you see is necessarily what the PWC looks like. Buyers will always try to show their jet ski in the best possible light. If you aren't comfortable inspecting a jet ski due to a lack of knowledge, consider approaching your local jet ski club and ask if a member would be prepared to inspect it with you.
Test drive the jetski
Unfortunately having a test drive isn't always possible. But if at all possible, definitely take the craft out onto the water before you buy it. This will immediately let you see if it exactly what you are looking for. For example, is it comfortable? Does it have enough power? Can you control the ski well? A ride will also let you listen to the engine to see if their is any misfiring or other unusual sounds.
Cheapest isn't always best
When a used jet ski is cheap its cheap for a reason. Every so often there will be a fantastic deal to be had, but 99.9% of the time you get what you pay for. So before you start looking for a used craft decide on your budget, maybe ask at your local club as to what a decent second hand ski would cost.
Follow these simple tips and you can be having great fun on the water for years to come. And if you are currently looking for a used jet ski then have a look at those which are currently listed on our website. We have the following for sale used kawasaki jet ski, used seadoo jet ski, used yamaha jetski and used polaris jet ski.