Apr 04 2017

What Should You Do Before Purchasing A Used Car?

You may consider buying a used car for many reasons, but it offers great benefits in terms of price and quality. A used car can get you what you may not at the same budget for a new car. But, buying a good used car is a tricky decision sometimes.

You can see used car ads at many places, but finding a good car that fits your needs is harder and requires some search. You need to have a logical search pattern to reach at a good decision regarding the car purchase. There are some red signals to look for. This article will serve as a guide for finding a good car that is budget friendly and nice. 

What You Want

Reaching at a good decision is easier if you know what your requirements are. You need to consider what you care for. Exploring further of what you like is great for your search.

Consider what you Need, not What You Want:

Ask yourself what is the car that you need, not what you want. You should select a car based on your needs. For example, if you have to visit a faraway place daily you would prefer a different vehicle. But, if you want a comfortable ride only, your choice would be different.  

Determine the Budget:

Your budget could be any, but you need to reserve some money for repairs. These repairs may cost you some money, so be ready for it. 

Model and Quality:

You may say these as personal preferences, but not all the models are created equal. Consult your friends, family or closer ones to help you regarding the choice of vehicle that you would like to buy. Search for any model that you think will be perfect for you. Narrowing down your research will help reach at a decision fast. Once you are familiar with the specifications of the vehicles, other decisions become easier for you.

Search Methods:

Do not undermine the search, it is important. Consistently look for the quality that you want. Do not restrict your search to a single channel only; keep looking on multiple channels. Remember, low mileage is everything. In general, 1200 miles a year is considered average mileage.  

What to Check in a Used Car

Check Exterior:

Exterior is what attracts too many people and it is possible to get fooled by the looks of a car and vehicle. Check the paint carefully and look for any problem with the color. Paint can be a good indicator of whether a car was involved in an accident or not. You can get it checked by an experienced person who can tell you about its condition. 

Another good practice is to wash the car before its purchase. Look for scratches and other flaws. Remember, you are not buying a brand new car, so don’t worry about minor scratches. However, too many scratches may force you to spend some extra money. Even a full repaint can cost heavier. 

Keys:

Make it sure that seller has provided you both the original keys. Receive the keys in the start, as these might be costly for you if dealer has not provided.  

Interiors:

Check interior carefully. Look for stains inside the vehicle. Do not be worried about small stains, these can be removed easily. Also check for the smell of inside the vehicle. Ripped seats and wires hanging downs are some warning signs that you may want to consider. 

Oil Leaks:

Run the car for at least 20 kilometers and check how it performs. Have a look at the engine after the car stops. Are there any leaks which can get your worried?

Documents:

Ask the owner for all the documents regarding the vehicle.  Ask the owner for receipts of any services that have been done on the car so far. Make it sure that the vehicle has a full service history. Service history will tell you about when the owner changed its oil or performed other functions. 

Mileage:

It has been said earlier. Check if the mileage is matching with that given in the auction sheet.

Test Drive the Car:

Take a test drive of the car: Check for gears and brakes. Look if everything is working fine. Take some sharp turns and check suspension. 

General Components:

Check general components of the car: Lights, headlights, positions lights, AC, fan, speedometer and stereo etc. Also check for holes and rust. Look for anything that does not look good. 

Seek Guidance:

Don’t forget to check for a friend or a close one who can guide you about what you need to do. You can ask Zulfiqar Motors for any help regarding Japanese Used Cars.

Here are some other tips that will be useful for you: 

• If the seller does not allow you to bring someone to inspect the vehicle that is a warning sign. They are probably hiding something.
• Don’t be afraid of spending some money on the car’s inspection.
• Don’t buy a car in the rain. Paint will look nicer in the rain which can hide something.
• Ask the car owners to start the car by you standing outside. Try to focus on what you hear. Noises are warning signs. Also ask the owner to move the car forward and backward. This way you will be able to see any leaks under the car.

If you still want to buy a car with some issues, try to negotiate about a lower price. 

Buying a used car is a decision that you would like to take after consideration. But you need to have a clear understanding of what you are looking for. Set a decision criterion and keep searching for the best quality vehicles. It is also important to check the car for any issues.