Things to Consider While Buying a Used Car | Used Car Buying Guide

If you are planning to buy a used car, we recommend that you get it checked it from a reliable workshop. They have considerable experience and can help you assess whether the vehicle is worth the seller's asking price. If you do not trust a workshop or any other professional, we recommend reading this article with full attention. As the title suggests, we will talk about the numerous things to consider before buying a used car.

Check the Exterior of Used Car 

Before we move to other things, first look at the exterior. The exterior includes the paintwork, bodywork, tires, and headlights, among others.

Paint

If the paint is faded or full of scratches, it indicates that the seller did not maintain it properly. A poorly maintained car is a recipe for disaster as you might have to invest thousands to get the parts repaired/replaced. In the case of the paintwork, it can be restored to its former glory, but only after considerable expense.

Tires   

Also, ask the seller about the tires; if they are new, good enough. If they are older than 3,4 years or used for more than 40,000 km, you will need to buy a new set of tyres. So, keep that expense in mind and add it to the seller’s asking price.

Bodywork 

Check if the paint matches across the car. If it is mismatched, it means that the car has been repaired and repainted. Another way to check if the bodywork is original is by taking an experienced bodywork specialist along with you for inspection.

Look Underneath the Hood

Do not ignore what’s underneath the hood.

Car Battery

Scrutinize the car battery. Look for signs of corrosion and leaks. Do ask the seller about the battery's age. If it is older than 3,4 years, you need to change it. Therefore, you need to include that in your cost too. If you ignore the battery, you might get stranded, and that's something that you must avoid at all costs.

Engine & Other Components

Inspect the engine and other components for leaks or rust. Rust or leaks indicate poor maintenance. It is quite possible that you will need to replace the parts or repair them. Inspect the car’s exterior one more time.

Interior

Once you are done inspecting the exterior, move to the interior. Check for any cracks in the plastic components. If the vehicle is visibly dirty inside, you will need to get it detailed. Remember, PitStopArabia offers comprehensive car detailing services. Also, ensure that all the parts are working properly. Turn on the air conditioning, check the lights, AC vents, infotainment system, and windows. If these components are not working correctly, you will need to get them fixed.

Mileage

While inspecting the interior, do pay attention to the mileage. The mileage tells us how much the car has been driven around. If you suspect that the mileage indicator has been altered, we recommend not buying the vehicle at all. The reason is that if the mileage is changed, you cannot trust the seller at all.

Take a Test Drive

Once done, checking the interior and exterior, take a test drive. The purpose of the drive is to check the car’s driveability. At times, people maintain the car’s exterior and interior beautifully. But they fail to maintain components like brakes, gearbox, engine, and other similar parts. One cannot inspect them with the naked eye. Hence, a quick test drive can help you in this regard. Apply the brakes, check the transmission, acceleration, and handling. It will give you a good idea about what’s it like to drive the car.

Ask About the Car’s History

If the person is the first owner, ask them about the car’s maintenance history. They can provide you with a certified logbook which will detail the car’s maintenance history.

Do Background Research

Specific vehicles and models are recalled due to certain problems. Check if the car you are about to buy is one of them. It is best to stay away from recalled vehicles to help you avoid problems further down the road. Check online with other car owners, and see if that model is associated with any other issues. If the reviews are not satisfactory, PitStopArabia recommends not buying it.

Confirm the Ownership

Unfortunately, fraud is common throughout the world. The best thing an individual can do to avoid fraud is by being proactive. One must assess the other person and pay attention to what they are saying. It is usual for a fraudster to say something that negates what they said earlier. From an automobile’s perspective, fraudsters sell stolen cars or those which are not in their ownership. Therefore, validate the ownership from your motor department before purchasing it.

Wrap Up

This concludes our article today. There are a lot of other things one must consider before buying a used vehicle. However, they can tire a person out. The best thing to do is to take a certified car inspection expert with you. They can inspect the car and give you the peace of mind. Regardless, always pay attention to the points discussed above to avoid being defrauded or overpaying.