After selling new and used automobiles for more than 10 years, I believe I might be able to offer some very helpful hints to any person looking to purchase a used car.
My selling experiences have been solely confined within the United States. So, my knowledge is limited to pricing structures offered in the USA. I don’t feel that should be a matter, because used vehicles are the same, no matter where they are sold.
First, the prospective buyer should have a fairly good idea as to type of vehicle they are interested in. Narrowing down your choice before you begin looking eliminates the situation of becoming confused and switched to a vehicle you might not be happy with.
Research is the next extremely crucial step in considering what price you should pay for your choice of vehicles. Here in the USA we have a book that is published every month with all the pricing figures on every car truck, SUV, classic, antique and exotic vehicles. The NADA(National Automobile Dealers Association) is actually the same book that automobile dealers use when they put a figure on a trade-in before they buy a car for a trade-in. I’m not sure if a similar book is available in India, but, if you have automobile dealers selling vehicles in India, I’m sure a similar version of the NADA must exist. If not, you can access the Internet and find what a certain vehicle is worth. Usually these sources of pricing will provide a Retail Price and a Wholesale Price. In addition, such items like options, mileage and cleanliness add or subtract from the overall bottom line price a certain vehicle should cost to make a fair purchase. When you do find the correct pricing on a particular vehicle, a price to offer should be between the wholesale and retail costs. Never purchase a vehicle at the retail figure. There is always room within the pricing structure to find a fair and marketable price. Furthermore, determine a price which is most affordable to fit your budget.
There is one problem with making a determination before you actually begin your used vehicle search at a dealer or private individual. If you change your mind on exactly which vehicle you want to purchase, you can always perform this research step after you have decided upon a certain vehicle. Then you can make an intelligent offer once a purchase price has been established. Sometimes, you might not know all of the options equipped in that used vehicle before finding your choice. So, once again, do this research before you make an offer or counteroffer.
Once you’ve located a vehicle to which you are satisfied with and you’ve determined an agreeable figure you will pay, the mechanical history research begins. Here in the USA automobile dealers must provide the actual mechanical history of the used vehicle they are selling, and in some cases must provide the previous owners phone number, so the prospective used buyer can call to ask questions about the vehicle. If the dealer is reputable, these items will be provided. If by chance there is no history available, bringing your choice to an inspection by a mechanic is advisable. A good mechanic will charge a fair price to check all of the important mechanical features that must be in proper running condition, so you won’t have any substantially high maintenance costs once you purchase this vehicle. Some major important mechanical parts that should be inspected are the engine, transmission, brakes, front-end suspension and when a four-wheel drive vehicle is in question, the transfer case.
Once you’ve received a clean inspection that will allow you to make an offer or counter offer, the rest is up to you. Either you will buy this vehicle or wait until another is more suitable. I am assuming that you either have the finances available or you’ve been approved for financing.
A few hints when inspecting a used vehicle on your own, is to check the mileage and if it seems unusually low for the year of the vehicle, then take a look at the brake and accelerator pedals. If they seem very worn, then the mileage has been bumped back. In other words, lowered intentionally. Another spot to check is inside the luggage compartment. If you find a different color under the lid, then what is on the rest of the vehicle, this proves that this vehicle may have been in a serious accident. The same goes for the engine compartment by the wheel wells or the underside of the hood. Any of these conditions signal a reason to ask many more questions or just walk away and begin searching once again.
In any case, good luck with used automobile searching! I hope I’ve provided some helpful information, no matter where you are currently shopping for a used