Purchasing a New or Used Golf Cart in 2025 - A Buyer’s Guide from Albion Golf Cars
This is an update of a 2022 blog; enough information has changed in this marketplace to warrant a rewrite.
Shopping for a personal golf car can come across as overwhelming. There’s perceived decision fatigue from the beginning with different purchasing outlets such as authorized dealers, independents, private sellers and Facebook Marketplace. Technical specs, brand comparisons, and unclear price ranges contribute to another layer of decision fatigue. Google reviews can help, but please allow this blog to make you a golf car purchasing wizard. Yes, they are correctly known as golf cars, but the slang of “carts” is now commonplace.
Albion Golf Cars has been selling new and used golf carts since 1973. It is our belief that buyers are best served when well informed, erasing the difficulty presented in such a large purchase. Unlike the automotive world, there are no regulations or “lemon laws” governing the sale of golf carts. Hence, this article is an attempt to combine some of the industry’s best advice on this topic into a Buyer’s Guide to assure that you purchase wisely.
Brands
Starting with brand education, the “Big Three” of golf cart manufacturing are Club Car, E-Z-GO and Yamaha. All three brands are assembled at facilities in Georgia with excellent engineering. Albion proudly sells Club Car and their extensive product portfolio which includes models such as Tempo, Carryall, URBAN, CRU and Onward. Objective online research will point towards Club Car as the highest quality amongst the “Big Three”. Additionally, Yamaha makes an industry-leading quiet tech gas engine for their golf fleet.
Since COVID-19, there has been an influx of “Import” brands that have penetrated the North American market. In 2025, this has been perceived as “dumping” by the Federal Government. The future for some of these import brands remain unknown with looming Tariffs from Canada and the United States to China. The quality and safety standards that these brands have overlooked are now starting to show their head with class action lawsuits. Some of these “Import” brands can be found at big box stores such as Costco.
The emerging LSV (Low Speed Vehicle) laws have introduced brands that are more automobile inspired than cart. These brands consist of GEM, MOKE and GARIA. These brands have a mixture of European and American assembly (Poland, Florida, Georgia, Texas and California).
Current Market Conditions:
Coming out of COVID 19 the pricing for NEW golf carts hit their peak and MSRP has finally stabilized with no price increases in 2024. Like any powersport industry from 2020 - 2023, the parts and “widget” supply chain for new product was upside down. At the beginning of 2023, the supply chain was corrected however the effect of those three years of COVID ballooned the value of all used golf carts. Stemming from wholesale cart value from golf courses, four year old fleets are now worth 2X for a dealer like Albion.
Beyond the wholesale spike from golf courses older carts on the private market that were worth $500 before COVID are now being advertised for $2,500. Anything ten years old or newer would be priced around $5,000 - $7,500 on Facebook. The overall effect with these wholesale price increases has been the trend to purchase brand new. Before COVID the old saying was “It’s twice as expensive to go NEW," yet post-COVID the gap is anywhere from a 20-35% difference to upgrade from USED to NEW.
Considerations When Buying a Golf Cart:
New or Used?
Most people choose used carts over new carts for budgetary reasons. Technology advancements aside, golf cart functionality has not changed enough year to year to rule out the option of buying a used vehicle. New carts are often 50 -100 % more expensive than a 3 to 5-year-old used cart. A well-shopped used cart can last decades past its early life on a golf course. A professionally refurbished or an entirely rebuilt used cart can be almost indistinguishable from a new golf cart.
On the flip side, new golf cars offer several obvious advantages to the buyer. As with the purchase of a new automobile, the purchaser can configure the cart of his or her choice on-line, warranties are better, and the purchaser may find value in the latest technologies, options and styling.
Budgets – What should I expect?
Budget restrictions typically funnel customers into looking for a good used golf cart. Technology advancements aside, golf cart functionality has not changed enough year to year to rule out the option of buying a used vehicle. As described above in “Market Conditions,” purchasing a used cart is not as straightforward as it used to be. Private markets like Facebook are now advertising golf carts at pre-COVID dealer pricing ($2,500 - $6,000). Meanwhile, dealers appear to have nothing for sale under $6,500.
Although the wholesale price for golf carts dropped slightly in 2024, the gap between a good used and new vehicle has still never been smaller. An entry level NEW Club Car can land around $10,000 while a ten year old USED golf cart might retail for $7,000. New golf cars offer several obvious advantages to the buyer which include warranty, newest technology, zero hours, aesthetics and resale value. These trends have led Albion to sell more NEW than USED equipment for the first time in its company's history.
If moving your budget up to NEW is out of the question than here are some helpful tips for looking for the right Used cart:
Always ask how old are the batteries? (Ideally new with a one year warranty)
Ask what brand of Batteries? (Trojan, Crown, USA, etc.)
What application did this cart have before? (Golf, Private Use, Commercial Use, etc.)
Was there ever a Warranty Registered to this?
Has there ever been a roll-over with this vehicle?
Suggested to shake the steering column to make sure it’s tight and not loose
Drive at maximum speed and apply the brakes to see how secure and tight they are.
Shake the Canopy roof to see if there is any major squeaking on the cart
Which Powertrain is right?
“What application is intended for my golf cart?” is the real question to ask yourself. Combining that with the environment it’s being driven in should help provide your answer. If your cart's environment has lots of steep hills, you may need to prioritize a powertrain with additional torque. This could include a gas powered cart or a High Performance AC Motor setup on an electric cart.
If your storage shed / garage has no power for the Winter months then this might tilt your hand towards Gas or Lithium Powered. Both of these powertrains have zero winter maintenance as opposed to lead acid batteries that require distilled water and constant electricity during the Winter. Some environments such as campgrounds, golf courses, and gated communities will only allow electric powered. This is mainly due to noise restrictions. Gas carts are popular when extended run-times are needed and electricity is not readily available.
Both gas and electric require some routine maintenance. A gas cart is often mistakenly viewed as simpler to maintain when in fact it has 4 times the moving parts of an electric cart. A general rule is that an old gas cart will be more costly to maintain with age. Electric powered carts come with a set of batteries that will need replacing every 4-8 years depending on use.
Battery Assessments and Life Expectancy
The most expensive part of an electric golf cart are the batteries. The price of a lead-acid battery set will always have a variable cost based on the USD and price of lead. The expectations should be around $1,500 to replace a full lead acid set.
In a commercial setting such as a University or golf course, the discharge cycle is around 25% year over year. This translates into a four year life cycle. For private use the discharge cycle is closer to 15% which translates to around six years before replacing is required. A reputable dealer will be able to clarify the year of battery manufacture and the results from a discharge test in minutes indicating life left.
Keep in mind that 95% of electric golf carts in the market are lead acid; however, Lithium has grown each year in popularity. As opposed to the typical one year warranty with Lead Acid, Club Car offers a six year Warranty for Lithium. The discharge cycle discussed is roughly 50% less than that of a typical lead acid battery life cycle (12.5% for Commercial and 7.5% for Consumer). The cost for Lithium, however, is still expensive, and it can range from $2,500 - $4,000 depending on the quality of Lithium Battery.
To better understand the differences between traditional lead-acid batteries and the recently available lithium solutions read our blog here.
Picking Your Cart Options and Accessories
Majority of used golf carts do come from golf courses and are originally manufactured for this application. This is your typical looking golf cart with no lights, standard tires and no rear application. After the commercial battery cycle of 4 years, these carts are sold off in wholesale packages to local dealerships such as Albion Golf Cars. From here, they are modified and retrofitted, the bread and butter application being: New Batteries, New Lights and New Rear Seat. Any worn and aging parts are replaced such as seats, steering racks, brakes, windshields and canopy roofs. You can see how combining high wholesale rates with part replacing and shop time can end up with higher “Used” cart prices.
Today, there’s a laundry list of accessories you can install on your golf cart. Some are OEM accessories while others are aftermarket. Here’s a brief summary of the most common items added to an order:
Rear Facing, Folding seat or Cargo Box
LED Head & Tail-Lights
Lift-Kit Package
Electric Horn and Turn Signal Kit
12 Volt Adapter and Duel USB Ports
Trailer Hitch / Receiver
Premium Custom seats
Bluetooth Music System
Custom Steering Wheel
Weather Enclosures
Safety Grab Bars
Aggressive Tire Tread
Terminology: Used, Refurbished or Rebuilt?
These three terms define the quality, value and price of a USED cart. These terms also reflect a service spectrum as to how long your cart should last.
On the lower end of the spectrum, the dealer simply takes a used cart from a golf course, cosmetically details it, adds a seat kit and lights, then offers it for resale. This would be defined as your classic “Used” golf cart, usually marked “as is, where is” qualification on the bill of sale. Not far off from what you would find on the private market. Expect a service cost within a year or two, especially if purchased with original batteries.
A refurbished cart is further up the spectrum and should lead to the longer-term enjoyment of the cart with the costs upfront. Most reputable dealers follow this method. They individually do an on-hoist inspection replacing every worn item and fix most cosmetic flaws. Brakes are examined, alignment checked, grease points serviced, etc. Batteries are typically new for electric carts and gas carts will have new: starter battery, belts, filters, plug and fresh oil.
A total rebuilt (or remanufactured) golf cart is a different animal altogether and generally worthy of the increased price. The used cart is first stripped to the frame and meticulously rebuilt with new parts added where worn. Batteries are replaced, and new body panels and tires are added. Even the floor mat and windshields will be new. Once the customer adds the typical new accessories the cart will be virtually indistinguishable from a new model.
Read advertising carefully to determine what you are getting. Your individual requirements and budget will determine which category you chose.
Advantages of a Factory Authorized Dealer.
Your vendor choices amongst authorized dealers do matter. Similar to the automotive marketplace, authorized dealers for major brands are typically vetted by the manufacturer before they are granted the branding rights. They are required to carry liability insurances, prove themselves financially stable, and represent the brand to a high standard.
Authorized dealers have technicians that are required to have factory training. Dealers have constant access to recall and other factory notifications. Dealers have access to both on-line diagnostic information and have access to hand-held diagnostic devices. An authorized dealer has cheaper OEM parts access as well as inventory. Only authorized dealer can use this type of logo legally. Essentially trusting the experts in a niche industry does go a long way. Beyond the authorized dealers, Canada has many independent dealers that are reputable. However, all else being equal, an authorized dealer definitely favours the buyer.
The ”Always” and the “Never” when Purchasing a New or Used Golf Cart.
Always:
Cross reference dealers in terms of reviews, inventory, and website information
Gauge the dealer's expertise and knowledge with a phone call
Ideally make an appointment as dropping in can be less efficient for the customer and dealer
Some dealers have one brand versus many: make sure to check
Does the dealer deliver their product and provide after sales service?
Value with touching, feeling, and driving before buying
Is weekend troubleshooting available if there’s a potential issue?
Clearly explain your application. Where and when are you using the cart?
Explain budget constraints if necessary to narrow the product shown
Ask about cart origins, warranty length and Mechanical checklist
Ask if the dealer performs a PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection)
Ask the salesman to go over safety and best practice
Ask for some extra keys
Ask about personalizing your cart with a unique nameplate or decal
Ask for a PDF of the relevant manual
Never:
Purchase the first cart you see
Buy a cart from a vendor that does not have any post-sale service and parts expertise
Buy a cart without a serial number
Buy a cart with the “as is, where is” condition and expect to get any support following a mechanical failure.
Expect a dealer can guarantee the exact battery life, many variables at play including usage, humidity, water maintenance etc.
Finally, never ignore the dealer’s advice on maintenance; especially battery care and best practice.
We hope this guide will assist in your purchase and enjoyment of a new or used golf cart.
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Albion Golf Cars is located in Toronto, Ontario. We are dedicated to providing golf car and utility vehicle solutions for our customers. Founded in 1973, we pride ourselves as being customer focused, committed to constant improvement, and a service leader in our field. We provide knowledgeable golf cart sales, custom outfitting, fleet rentals, special event rentals, in-house and mobile service, parts and accessories.
Albion personnel are well trained, driven, entrepreneurial, and focused on providing only the best products and service for our customers. Albion is an authorized dealer for: AGT Electric Cars, Club Car, Carryall, Onward, Garia Luxury Cars, Garia Utility and MOKE America. Albion is an experienced vendor of E-Z-GO and Yamaha brands.
Contact us for further information at 416.236.1001 or at info@albiongolfcars.com
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