For many people who are buying their first car, getting a used car is often the most cost-effective thing to do. Used cars cost far less than new cars, and you’re less likely to worry about minor damages on a used car than on a shiny, new car.
If you find yourself in need of a personal vehicle and can’t afford to wait, but can’t afford to shell out too much money either, chances are you’re already looking at online listings for trusted used car dealers in your area.
If you’ve made it, congratulations! You’re exercising your rights as an informed consumer of goods. Keep reading to find out how to tell a good used car from a bad one.
Inspect the car you are buying and its papers
Getting the car checked is very important so that you can take out a safe vehicle on the road. You can do some inspections and checks yourself, but it is very important to get a mechanic you know and trust to give it a thorough inspection.
If there are any issues, you can get the issues fixed and solved by the owner before you buy it. If not, knowing the issue can help you haggle the price down and get a lower quote. You can then get your mechanic to fix it for you.
The Things You Need to Check in the Car –
- All filters check – air filter, fuel filter, transmission filter, and oil filter. Check if were taken care of, if regular cleaning, maintaining, and oiling were done. If possible, get the filters changed.
- Brakes check – see if there are any vibrations. Make sure there is no squealing noise or any type of strange noise coming from the brake pedal, and it functions right.
- Tires check – check their condition. Check if they are evenly worn and whether they match. Check for bad alignment of tires, known as feathering.
- Hood condition check – check for signs of damage under the hood, check to see if there are dents or rust. Cars that are poorly maintained or damaged, usually have a telltale under the hood.
Check the Insurance Papers for the Vehicle –
- Match the numbers – make sure that the engine number and the chassis number of the car match the number in the registration papers.
- Check the NCB – If the car has ever been in an accident or has there been claims related to such incidents, a quick and easy way to go about it is to check the No Claim Bonus (NCB) percentage that is applied. The higher it is, the better it is.
Final Thoughts
While buying a used car saves money and is more economically friendly, buying the wrong car can end up costing you more. Failing to make sure that all the parts are right and the car functions properly can affect the performance of the car significantly.
Get your mechanic to go over the car and report any issues. If you do not understand things, then make sure to get professionals involved or a friend who understands stuff.
