If you're planning to buy a second hand car, here are some pointers you must keep in mind when finalising your choice.
Brand game: If a car has done anything between 15,000km to 50,000 km, it is a good buy. And with brands like Toyota or Honda, even an additional few thousand kilometres qualify.
History: A good and an honest dealer will check the history of the car for any accidents or other problems by doing some basic tests. The door panels also give away signs of accidents. If the car has taken a hit from the rear, the car trunk's flooring gives away the secret.
Check the engine firing: If the car doesn't sound right, it won't feel right, it won't fit right. Like petrol consumption, even the oil consumption of the car is important. If the engine eats up a lot of oil, the car is not worth buying. With our weather conditions, it is essential to check the air conditioning of the car. If it is not cool enough, the car is not cool enough to buy.
Scratch and tell: Also check for any scratches or minimal damage to the exteriors as it spoils the look of your car. Normally the dealer will have checked all this and rectified any errors. He would have serviced the car and changed the engine oil before presenting it to you.
Documentation: When buying a second hand car, remember that the model year mentioned on the registration papers should be the year of manufacturing, not the year of registration. The comprehensive insurance validity needs to be checked. Also check for any RTO liabilities. If there are any such liabilities, intimation needs to be put up to the RTO during purchase. Always check the colour mentioned on the registration papers. If the colour has been changed, find out if the change was due to damage or out of personal choice. These things could affect the price of the car and help you in the bargain.
Using a second hand car: A second hand car can be ideally used for a good 3-4 years if maintained well. Even a brand new car is used for the same time period. However, the advantage of buying a used car is that you get almost 70 per cent of the total value of a brand new car. Second hand sedans come at the price of a brand new hatchback. Not a bad deal?
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