Five Things You Need to Do and Consider Before Buying Pre-Owned Vehicles

When you are buying a used car, you need to take extra care and do your homework before settling on a final choice. New cars are straightforward sales, because their specifications are clear, mileage of virtually zero is a given, and they are in perfect nick because they have not been pre-owned or possibly neglected. When buying a second-hand car, it is a different ballgame. You should take special precautions to ensure that you do not end up wasting your hard-earned money on a lemon. Obviously, there are many questions to ask and things to consider before purchasing pre-owned vehicles, and here are the most important ones:

#1 Investigate the car’s history as much as possible. This means finding out if the car was serviced regularly, if it has been in any major accidents, and if there have been any mechanical issues with it. If any pre-owned vehicles you are looking at do not have a logbook and service history, and the seller seems to not want to go into details, take it as a red flag.

#2 Ask the seller if you can take the car to a mechanic for an inspection before buying it. This provides you with the much-needed peace of mind that you are purchasing a sound vehicle. When dealing with a professional dealership, the vehicle has usually gone through a series of tests and checks before it is advertised and parked on the showroom floor.

#3 Ask sellers of pre-owned vehicles to be honest about everything that is not working. These include the air-conditioning, cigarette lighters, electric windows, and any excessive wear on the upholstery. If the seller is honest, and you have done a full inspection, you are on the right track.

#4 Ask the seller why they are selling the car and how they arrived at the price they are asking for it. There are many pre-owned vehicles that have been cared for properly and have been for each service as scheduled by the manufacturer. These cars are in a good condition and typically worth the price tag attached.

#5 Test drive the vehicle and take someone knowledgeable about cars with you. When you test drive a pre-owned car, you will get a feel for how well it drives. You will also have the opportunity to experience how the vehicle handles on the road and you can also keep an eye and ear open for any tell-tale signs that there’s something wrong with the vehicle. Look for smoke from the exhaust and listen for any untoward noises. Make sure the brakes and handbrake bite as they should.

Most of the questions discussed here are aimed at those looking to buy pre-owned vehicles through private sellers, because at Atterbury Motors in Gauteng, all these things are already taken care of. We welcome you to pay us a visit or shop for your next car on our website. We are available to answer any questions and assist with financing options and applications. Contact us via email or telephone today.