Buying a used car if you are on a budget is a great idea, but it can be tricky for the inexperienced. You don't have to be an expert mechanic to know what to look for in a second-hand or a used car. These simple ideas will help you to decide in what condition the car is, and whether it is worthy of your investment.
Maintenance
Upkeep and maintenance of the car is the most important part that needs to be looked into.
Spend some time on checking the year of registration of the car, wear and tear of various parts (especially the tires), how old the battery is, whether the audio system (if any) is working, whether all the lights are in good condition. Here are some additional important things to check:
Inside the car
1. See how clean the car is, or is it just clean on the outside? Or has it been cleaned up recently to impress you? Check for any rips in the seats.
2.Don't forget to check under the bonnet, if the car is in great shape and the engine has not been touched in ages. There is no point in you buying such a car.
3.Check for oil spouting from the exhaust.
4.The air-filter should be clean.
5.The engine should be free from rust.
Outside the car
1.Check for visible signs of damage - such as scratches, dents or anything else that is strange.
2.Check for a recent paint job, and ask why it was done.
3.See if all the doors open without a noise.
4.The wipers should be in good condition.
5.Check to see if the lights are working and not broken.
Test drive
Always take a test drive, before you plan on buying it. The engine should start at once and keep running on its own. Notice how the car feels, smells and sounds, it should not make any weird noises and there should be no jerks or hiccups while driving. It should definitely not emit any smoke from the exhaust either.
Odometer
Check if there has been any tampering with the odometer. The lesser the miles the better for you.
Documentation
Make sure you check all the documents before purchasing a new car. Check the registration certificate, insurance book, municipality certificate, pollution under control certificate, etc. It's also wise to know how many owners the car has had before the current owner.
End of the month
Here is an interesting tip, visit second hand car shops by the end of the month. All the salesmen will be wanting to meet their monthly target, and be willing to compromise on the price more. Instead of the first of the month, go on the very last week of the month.
Take your time
Never be in a hurry to finalize the deal. The salesmen will always try to hurry you up, by saying there are many others interested in the car, or a special discount ends the same day, etc. Don't be taken in by these gimmicks. VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the owner should also be checked, to know about the car's history. Since you are spending your money, it will make sense to take your time to go through all these aspects. Be sure that this is the right car for you.
Mechanic
If you are not qualified to make a decision to buy the second-hand car, never hesitate to call your local mechanic. Having a mechanic you trust beside you is the best way to seal the deal. The mechanic will tell you, which parts need to be replaced(if any), or what hidden problems the car has.
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Please click here for an interesting article on Cheap Cars. Visit this link as well to know where to find Cheap Used Cars For Sale.
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