Read this. and you will end up buying a good piece of automobile.
The experiences written here are largely catered to Car buyers in India. I also have not taken much of the car-broker angle into this feature. I do not have much experience selecting second hand cars, but have been a spectator to couple of deals which my friends went through.
Do I need a second hand car?
It is important for you to ascertain whether you really need a car or you can make do with a bike or why not a truck would be better. You should have strong reasons for each premise that you assume.
You need to weigh down unbiasedly and evaluate your reasons whether you really want a second hand car. It is very important for your mind to be very clear that you indeed do not want a new vehicle but a second hand vehicle.
Establish a need for what you want to use the car for. For e.g. you can use your car to drop your children only or a multipurpose utility. Coz if it is for the former then, probably you need a car with less running, so you can choose from older models. If you need a car for office then you need a car more with your style, sturdiness and utility. So different needs can have varying price implications.
Ok. Need ascertained. Lets do the buying groundwork!
The number of family members and the number of possible drivers of the vehicle. This is important as to ascertain the handling of the vehicle to buy.
Ask your friends, advices sites, vehicle counselors, brokers as to what options are available in your budget
Select the nucleus of cars. Why them? Why not others? What is the minimum level of qualifications? Have a serious introspection over this.
Arrive at some short listed ones/brands/Makes. There is no sure shot success to any brand or make will be better than others. But it has been seen that Maruti are the favourite in second hand cars. This can be known by the high price it commands in the second hand car market.
Clearly establish a budget. Keep a high point after which you will not pursue the car. Be very clear. Don’t be too senti… as most of us are:D
Attribute a monthly maintenance price to it that you are willing to spend on your second hand vehicle. Make sure this price is in adherence to your estimate of the car spending.
If you are taking a loan, then make sure the brand of car and the Year of the make is permitted by the lender to finance you.
Keep it in mind the the re-resale value that you might get, if you have to dispose the vehicle after some time.
Ok . There’s is a seller I know. Lets go to inspect the car
Greet the seller with your best smile. First impression is the last impression.
Have a trustworthy mechanic go along with you to see the car.
Go to take a test drive early in the morning.(Most of the problems come to fore when car is at rest for 8-9 hours;))
Ask the owner for:
History of the car
His current mechanic
The number of drivers driving that particular vehicle.
Resale value
Fuel consumption
Service kits including Jacks, service bags, spare tyres etc.
Exteriors:
Total appeal of the car: View the cars from various angles and check for its total appeal
Paints, Scratches and dents: Do not carry a magnifying glass.It may look rude but then look for those dents through your smart eyes. Remember the principle of “BUYERS BEWARE”. So it is the onus of the buyer to look for the dents and smart patches to the scratches.
External Electrical fittings: Check The lights and indicators to be working fine.
Tyres: Check for any major cuts or treads tears. Do not forget to check the spare.
Pollution check: Check the pollution levels at the exhaust by pressing the accelerator and see for the denseness of the soot coming out.
Interiors:
Engine: Try to hear the smoothness of the engine firing sound. When you will be pressing the accelerator then try to see the response for the speed.
For checking under the hood, I would trust the mechanic to guide me, as I have no idea inside the bonnet.
Fronts: Check the vehicle steering, Smoothness/Play in the gears, Clutch, Accelerator, Brake response, The windows, the glass shields, Seat fittings, safety belts, wipers etc.
Backs & The dicky: Check if there is no dead body in the dicky!:D kiddin… Just check for spare tyres, jack, other equipments inside.
Internal Electrical fittings: Check all the electrical fixtures to be performing their functions
Corrosion levels: Check the corrosion levels on the floor, by picking up the rubber mats, back seat, dicky
Upholstery: Jump around when the owner is not looking;) and see its fine.
Music: Check the stereo, Blast out the stereo and see at what levels the sound crackles
AC: AC check, how long does it take to cool, the directions of the blades, cooling achieved in the back seats
Driving Tests:
Keep an ear on the noises coming out from the vehicle.
The Straight-line test: leave the steering and see if the vehicle adheres to a straight line or moves towards one direction.
The pick up test: Check the vehicle response to the accelerator. The quicker the better.!
OK. Now the car is done. What about the papers?
Registration papers
Invoice & bill of the car
Motor Vehicle Registration paper
Insurance papers. Documents indicating accident claims taken if any
Pollution certifications
Servicing papers
Original documents and service manuals
So now how do I finance my car?
Internal generation,
Through savings or
Borrowing friends, relatives, anyone who will not charge you interest
Loans(There are lots of car loans/finance schemes available in the market. Just check with your local listings for a favorable one in terms of
Rate of interest
Time period and
Your comfort with the lender
Where can I get the best 2nd hand deals?
Newspaper surfing( Times of India, Mid-day, HT)
Net sites like Automartindia/ auction sites/ Times classifieds
Local mechanic Public relations
Car Melas/ Fairs(e.g KC Bazaar, Popular Cars)
Friend circle/ Relatives/ Office Colleagues
Motor magazines
Car-brokers