Buying A Used Car? Here are some things you should look out for!

For a new car, there is little that can go wrong with your purchase as your car is in perfect condition and that there is always warranty that you can rely on. However, when buying a used car, it may be rather daunting especially if that is your first car. Many in Singapore advise to not buy a used car for fear that many things can go wrong. However, it is actually a financially wise decision to buy a used car that is if you know what you are doing! Today we hope to let you have a better understanding on what to look out for when buying a used car.

Doing your research on the car model

All cars are built differently and that with each model and make however, you can easily find the common issues that drivers face with the same car. This can be easily found with a google search and will come in useful when you are viewing the car as you will be able to see if any of these common issues have surfaced.

Mileage and general condition

The mileage is a good indicator to start as it tells you how much the car has been used. As a rule of thumb, the average Singaporean driver clocks about 17,500km a year. Look for one that is within similar range will be a good start. A high mileage vehicle may indicate that is has been heavily used. Whereas a low mileage vehicles is a great choice however, they usually come at a premium. Do take note to get any servicing records you can get hold of as proof that the mileage is genuine and has not been tampered with.

For the exterior condition of the vehicle, the most important thing you should look for is to look for mismatched panels and the alignment of the panels. If there are any of the signs mentioned, it may be that the car has been in an accident before. For older vehicles, rust may be a concern and be sure to be on a lookout if there are any on metal parts of the vehicle. Do check on the tyres for any bulge and ensure that tread is not flushed with the indicator bars.

For the interior, a check on the seats, dashboard, steering wheel if there is any cracks or signs of heavy use. Check on other electrical components such as air-condition and the windows. Ensure that all is in good and working condition. Additionally, for vehicles with a sunroof do check to ensure that there is no leak.

Engine

Check the engine oil level to ensure that it is filled accurately, if it is below the minimum marker, it may be a sign that there is oil leakage. Do drive off the vehicle and check the spot where it was parked as well. If there are any leakages, we suggest avoiding purchasing the vehicle as there might be a high cost to repair. If possible, get someone to check the exhaust pipe to check for any thick smoke which may indicate a problem with the engine.

Sending for an inspection

If you have checked all the above and you are ready to make the purchase, we suggest sending the vehicle for an inspection to get more details of the condition of the car. A full inspection is incredibly insightful as they conduct undercarriage inspections, suspension, paintwork defects and many various other testing which you are usually unable to do yourself. These inspections are thorough will aid in the decision of purchasing the car. Do check with the car dealers if they accept to send their cars for inspection as some car dealers will only accept certain inspection centers. If you frequent a certain car workshop, you may wish to have your vehicle sent there to do an inspection by your trusted mechanic as well.

All in all, there are many used cars in the market and even two cars with the same registration date may be very different in terms of condition. Many variables come into play and sometimes, it is true that with the additional repair cost involved such as worn out tyres or bad paintwork, it adds to the cost of buying the car and sometimes, you might be better of buying new which is the fear many have however, with the tips given, you will be able to understand the condition of the vehicle you are looking at better and make a wise decision off that.