There is not enough money for a new car, but I don’t really want to buy a used car - a familiar situation, isn't it? This unwillingness is quite justified, because by announcements and in car markets they often sell “shifters,” “drowned,” and others. Naturally, you most likely will not recognize the truth. Instead, they will offer you a beautiful legend that the car has just arrived from abroad. So how to buy a used car, so as not to peck at the bait of negligent sellers?
The answer to the question of how to buy a used car is unambiguous - it’s better, nevertheless, if the car is bought at a car dealership. Of course, such a purchase does not give a one hundred percent guarantee of quality, but the car, at least earlier, was checked technically and legally, the mileage will not be twisted on the speedometer, and consultants will let you know if the car got into an accident or other troubles.
Buying a used foreign car, it turns out, is not so easy, so do it better with the appropriate expert. Be patient, a flashlight, a small mirror and a magnet - all these things will be needed to check the seller’s words and assess the current condition of the car.
Inspection can begin with the body, namely, whether it was repainted or not. The fact of repeated body painting indicates that the car either went into a traffic accident, after which it was restored, or in places rotted. The machine must be thoroughly washed, without stickers or stripes (they are usually hung in order to hide defects). Compare the shades of paint under the rubber seals with the overall color - the differences will also indicate repainting.
Pay attention to car tires. They should be worn evenly, and there should be no chips or cracks on the disks, i.e. traces of impact.
Next is the engine. It must be clean, free of oil and dust. Even the smallest smudges that the seller can attribute to “poorly washed” should be alarming. The oil on the dipstick should show the upper level, there should be no visible inclusions or impurities in it. Use a flashlight and a mirror to inspect hard-to-reach spots.
Before you buy a used car, you must definitely check it on the go. First of all, start the engine. This should happen immediately, regardless of whether it is warmed up earlier or not. Make sure that the temperature control system works correctly, the arrow of the operating indicator should be in the middle of the sector on the scale.
On the go, do not turn on the music and try not to listen to the seller - by talking he may try to distract attention from the defects that he wants to hide. Do not forget about the gearbox. If it is automatic, then you must drive personally. A dishonest seller, knowing about a problem, may simply refuse to let you drive. It is extremely important to find out such questions before buying a used car.
And finally, a car, even if it’s a second-hand one, is not a purchase for one month, but perhaps not for one year. Do not be afraid to ask about all the details you are interested in before you buy a car with it. Find out any information that might help identify defects in one way or another.