5 Things to Remember Before Buying a Used Car

We can unintentionally skip important details while purchasing a vehicle but avoiding these mistakes can save you time and money.

It is quite an exciting phase when you finally make up your mind to buy a car, but the rush to get behind the wheel can result in purchasing an unreliable vehicle. So, you might end up with a car that has little resale value, is too costly to drive or in the worst-case scenario both. Do a thorough research before buying a vehicle.

1. Do not Rush Things, know what you need

Consider why you need it. Do you need a sturdy car that is not costly, gives you a good average on the fuel, is good for the daily commute, has low maintenance and spare parts cost or…

Do you just desire to enjoy the drive and luxury so money is not a factor for you.

✦ Evaluate the pros and cons. Compare models, mileage and price. There are lots of options available online where you can get this information. Visit car dealerships if you can to get a physical feel of the vehicle.

✦ What is your garage size? What are your space requirements?

✦ Do you need an SUV, Crossover, Sedan, Coupe, Hatchback etc.?

✦ After evaluating all the options you have in each category make a decision that best fits your needs.

2. Always do the Highway Test Drive

I recently bought my first car, a minivan. I had no prior experience of cars but I did my research online, consulted with people and friends who possessed knowledge and then made the purchase according to my requirements. I also took the car on a short test drive with my mechanic during the evaluation process.

The only mistake that I made in this whole process was not to take it on a long test drive on a highway where it could reach speeds of more than 100km/h. That mistake came back to bite me a month later.

I was driving at max speeds of 60km/h to 70km/h within the city as the traffic where I live is a mess. The minivan ran smoothly and I was satisfied with the drive. After a month when I took it on a highway on the way to another town as soon as I exceeded 100km/h funny noises started to come and then it broke down mid-journey. It had to be towed to a mechanic shop.

The breakdown eventually turned out to be a blessing in disguise (even though it gave me a lot of headaches at the moment) as it revealed a bunch of issues that needed attention and after fixing it’s running fine. I would have continued driving it within the city unaware of the underlying faults but the run on the highway solved many future issues which may have resulted in something big in the future. Had I test-driven it earlier while evaluating it at high speeds of over 100km/h, I would have saved myself from that breakdown in the middle of nowhere.

3. Take a Mechanic with You

This might be the most important thing in your used car acquisition process. Always take an expert mechanic with you for an inspection before closing a deal. There are professional services as well and you can get a professional inspection booked.

No matter how much knowledge you think you possess a mechanic will check things you still don’t know in crucial areas like engine setup (always verify the engine number with the documents), exhaust system, AC functions, wheel alignment, small rust spots, leaks, history etc. The cost of inspection by an expert is worth it and will give you peace of mind.

4. Don’t Forget to Check Vehicle History

If you are getting a car from an individual make sure to check and verify all the documents, history of past owners (if any), police verification etc. If you are getting a car from a dealership, they will have documents ready for you, so don’t forget to get them verified.

5. When you Make Payment

When you close the deal don’t pay all the money upfront, pay a token amount, get the documents verified and then pay the rest. Try to pay by card or cheque. If you are paying cash have the necessary paperwork with you with witnesses so you have the proof of payment.