5 things to look out for when buying a car
Perhaps you’ve seen the second hand Ford, Hyundai, or Porsche of your dreams.
Before you throw down cash and give the seller their exact asking price, there are a few things you need to look out for.
In fact, there are some very important aspects of the car you’ll need to know beforehand.
Purchasing a second-hand car is a different experience to that of acquiring a brand new one off of the showroom floor. You need to sift through classified adverts, and deal with individuals as opposed to companies.
Here are a few things to look out for when purchasing a new car.
1. Licence and registration papers
The first thing to look out for when eyeing a second hard car is the paperwork. You’ll need to check that the car’s licence is up to date and that the person selling the car is actually the owner. If not, you may find yourself on the wrong end of a police search.
One of the easiest ways to check the information is to contact your local traffic department, look at the person’s ID, and ask for a proof of residence for the address. Another way is to make sure the details on the car’s licence match those of the vehicle, such as the VIN and engine numbers. If these are different, then rather move onto the next car.
2. Book of life
Another piece of paperwork that the seller should show you is their Book of Life – as Toyota calls it – or what they have close to it. This contains a list of all of the times the car was serviced, the mileage, as well as who serviced the car. It will give you a good idea of how well the car has been taken care of.
The owner should also be able to produce documentation from each time the car had work done to it, from replacing a fan belt to installing a new radio. Each bit of information is crucial to give you a substantial overview of the car.
3. Damage and rust inspection
A critical component in purchasing a new car is checking for rust and damage. There is a chance the car has been in an accident or has begun to rust. And though this may not be immediately obvious, the car still needs to be looked over from top to bottom.
A key sign that the car has had body work done, or pieces replaced, is discolouration of the paint. This includes the car being completely resprayed as well. Ask the seller if you can have a mechanic look over the car to make sure there are no problems. After all, they may not even know about rust in the nooks and crannies of their own car.
4. Road safety
If the owner hasn’t recently taken the car through a road safety test – or can’t produce a certificate for it – insisted that the car receives one. Places that perform these tests are stringent on what they will or won’t pass, which means you will be able to see a breakdown of problems with the car.
Much like a mechanic, a road and safety centre will be able to point out crucial problems with the car and judge how roadworthy it is. If the seller refuses, then rather move onto the next car.
5. The additional extras
Just like the having the car’s safety checked out, there are a few bits and bobs you’ll want to check inside as well. For example, the radio is a now a crucial part of any driving experience, even if you’re only using an aux cable. You’ll need to have the car turned on and check that the CD player, inputs, FM and AM radio stations work.
The inside of the car doesn’t stop at the radio. A few more components to check on include the glove compartment, under the seats, as well as the boot. The rear of the car should have the spare tyre, a jack, and a spanner. In South Africa, car owners need to carry a hazard sign as well in case the car breaks down.
All of the above points are important when looking for a pre-owned car. If you are not comfortable dealing with someone from the classifieds section, then look for a second-hand car dealer.