Buying A Used Carㅡ 10 Things to Keep in Mind
For us Indians, purchasing a car is one of the major investments. No matter what car you are purchasing, used or brand new, you need to be extra cautious. Research well, and weigh in all the pros and cons, before you make the purchase decision. However, if you are purchasing a used or pre-owned car you need to take a lot of things into consideration. According to experts, if you are purchasing a pre-owned car, it’s imperative to get it thoroughly inspected by a mechanic and don’t forget to take it for a test drive, before you actually seal the deal. There are a few other things that you must keep in mind while buying a used car:
1. First thing first, check the tires for any damage or treadwear, and while you are at it don’t forget to check the tire alignment. Push each corner of the car down and if it doesn't bounce back to its original position, then definitely there is some issue with the tires.
2. Check the doors carefully. Open and close all the doors both from the inside and out to see if they are working smoothly. Don't forget to check the hinges and edges for abrasion.
3. Inspect the headlights, turn signals, high beam and brake lights, see if they are working properly and are not broken or faded.
4. Look beneath the car for any fluid leakage both when the car is running and when the engine is switched off.
5. Under the hood, check the radiators and water hoses for rust. Don’t forget to check the coolant level.
6. Inspect the response of the engine, when it's switched on. If while warming up,it's producing a rattling sound, there might be some mechanical issues with it.
7. Make sure that car air-conditioning unit, heater and instrument cluster are working properly.
8. Take the car for a test drive to check its ride quality and handling of the car.
9. Test the brakes and gearbox capabilities on freeways and crowded roads. Every time when you apply the brakes, if it produces a squealing sound, it means that there is some issue with the braking system. Moreover, the automatic gearbox should be quick in gear selection and the manual one shouldn’t grind in-gears.
10. Don’t forget to check the exhaust system. If your car releases black, blue or white smoke, it means that there is some problem with the fuel system, the fuel is burning excessively or a there is a head gasket failure, respectively.
Apart from the above mentioned points, make sure that you thoroughly go through the car’s history and legal documentation, don’t forget to read between the lines. So if finally you have decided to buy a used car, keep the aforementioned points in your mind and shop wisely.
