8 things you should follow while buying a used car

If you are in the market for a second hand car, chances are you will be looking at online classifieds, second hand car showrooms, garage sales, social media groups etc. mining them for your four-wheeler purchase.

Most of us do not come armed with knowledge about cars, the nitty gritty involved, the importance of certain car parts, documents and more. When we buy products off the second hand market we should always be ready to face the risk. Since the used car market does not have many laws regulating the sale and purchase, buyers are exposed to certain risks. However, that does not mean you do not do your research.

When buying a used car there may be a lot to deal with like faulty pricing, hidden mechanical problems, missing parts, fraud dealers, warranty, NOCs, vehicle ownership and more. So let's take a look at the more common practices you should consider or avoid before buying a used car.
 

1. Finance and Payment

Check with the dealership on finance and also cross check with the bank on what are their terms. Some dealerships accept only cash and some suggest their own finance options. Check for possible mark ups on the selling price. While this practice is not allowed in the market, some car manufacturers instruct their second hand car dealerships to follow profit-marking on their vehicles. In case of online sale, do your research on the market price of the car and make sure the payment is being made through trusty channels. Such people show vehicles online and ask for money transfer. Once it happens, they simply vanish with the money. Such cases are pretty common in online platforms. Always make sure that you get some assurance against your payment.

2.Always ask for a test drive, whatever the case may be

When you buy a new car one of the first things you do is take it for a test drive. With a used car also, demand the dealership or online seller for the same. If you are buying the car only on its looks and are not allowed a test drive, steer clear of such a purchase, because only by experiencing the car will you be able to make an informed decision. Also, then it means that you have full knowledge of what your buying rather than regretting it later.

3. Insist on getting your used car checked by a mechanic of your choice

For most of us who do not have any knowledge of cars but have a basic functioning know-how. It then does pay to have a mechanic get a look at your proposed buy. Cars that end up at the used car dealership or are being sold online have a history. Only a mechanic will be able to tell you which parts are okay, new or missing, how much you should pay for it, whether the car has been in an accident. In case of an accident it is the chassis which takes the brunt, so if your car’s frame is dented and painted, expect it to trouble you in future. Steer clear of such cars.

4. Checking vehicle history

Here's a list of documents that you should demand from the seller before finalising the deal. Registration certificate, insurance and its transference, check for premium expiry and apply for third-party insurance; Form 32 and 35; the vehicle's service book which allows you to see how and where all it has been serviced and whether they were regular; the road tax receipt and duel fuel certification. In case you are buying from an online seller, you need to be extra cautious. Car thieves are skilled enough to alter the chassis and engine number of a vehicle to sell it in the used car market. So it is better you run a police verification on the vehicle to see whether it was involved in a theft or is a stolen car; check for the address of the owner, even if it is from a dealership.

5. Buying a car based on its low price and stellar looks

In automotive terms a car that looks good but doesn’t work is called a lemon. It could even be a newly purchased car which came with manufacturing defects. Online when you see a sedan or an SUV priced for as low as Rs 2 lakh and not many miles on the odometer, be sure there is something wrong with it. It could be a lemon which the owner or the dealership wants to get rid of. They are avoided by manufacturers even and you will not even get finance or insurance on the same. And once you buy such a car you cannot even claim for damages. Buy a car after a thorough inspection and only when you have all the correct papers.

6. Do not buy cars older than 3-4 years

In India now you have the government cracking down on vehicles that are older than 10 years and so you will find a lot of such cars going for cheap online and in dealerships. Think a while before you give your heart to that Honda or vintage car because keep in mind, the spare parts should be available to you easily. Dealers may guarantee availability but do not run the risk. So it is better you stick to something newer. Also avoid cars with low resale value.

7. Check the underbody of the car, the hidden interiors of the car

Make sure your mechanic does the check properly, not only the engine bay but even the little nook sand corners of the car. The interiors many a time fo unchecked if you are okay about a cursory glance. Check the seat belt holder, the glove box, the fan belt, the exhaust, the wiper blades, window frames. What should you be looking for? RUST. Yes, it cannot be detected easily especially the underbody of the car which is constantly exposed to the elements.

8. Beware of modified cars

You may like what the former owner has done to the car but be careful of such purchases. Sometimes, aftermarket parts can add stress to the engine. You also may not be aware how the modification was done. Probably a failed job is what is causing its resale.