TIPS FOR BUYING A USED CAR

Buying a second Hand car is not easy as New car-where new car is backed with manfacturers warranty,Trust and Free services-A used car does not necessarily hold all these factors.So be prepared before you start the car buying process. Try to get as much information as you can from reviews, from your near ones and compare options.  Its best to contact direct Owner as seller, for your purchase - who can provide you History, Service Bills and documentation. You will get in a car at the right price with all documents from the Original Owner of the car.

1- DECIDE WHICH CAR TO BUY-

You should sort out what type of car best  meets  your  needs-if you are a family   

of two, you should not buy a MPV- go for a hatchback.Bear in mind that when going for car Finanace, the interest rates for loan on used cars are higher than those for new cars.A little research on the net itself will reveal the makes and models that fits your budget.Always remember that in India at present, Japanese cars have the best long-term resale value as they are reliable and at the same time diesel cars too sell well on the second hand market.

2-ALWAYS EXAMINE A CAR DURING DAYTIME-

Always examine the car in broad daylight as darkness can conceal damages.Aslo if the car is parked in the shade, bring it into the sun and check.Its better to have a Friend / Colleague / Family Member Accompany you - in case you miss a part of Inspection -they can discover problems unknown to you and a second opinion can be helpful.

*Make sure you check the following:

  a)Check the engine, it should be smooth starter. A well maintained engine would not  produce any unusual noise and emit blue or black smoke while accelerating.

  b)If the Tyres are not in a good condition, there is a chance of bargaining for up to 1000 rupees. Look for the wear and tear and also the alignment.

c)If the battery is not new, there is another chance of decreasing the price of the car by rs2000.

d)Check Car Features - Is AC, Blower Fan, Music System, Central Lock System, Power Window System, HeadLights, Fog Lights, Horn etc if they are working properly.Check the AC by taking a round in the afternoon.

e)Check Body Paint Condition from All Sides.

3- GO FOR A TEST DRIVE-

Test- driving is an essential part of car buying process. Always take the car for at least a 3-4 km test drive. Drive the car in different types of roads.Take  the Car

 with Windows Open without turning on the Music System to listen to any Noise or Squeach Sounds - Inspect Brakes, Clutch, Pickup,  Reverse, Car Pickup, Noise or Rattling Sounds (for Suspension),Check the steering is not vibrating and there is no unusual sounds and vibrations. Vibrating steering means a front end trouble. Apply brakes properly at the speed of about 30-50 km to check that the car stops in a straight line. Check that the speedometer and mileage recorder is working.  Try each gear and note whether the car jumps out of gear.  Try to Drive on Rough roads for Shockers.Towards the end, wind the windows up and check AC cooling,Music system sound from speakers..

4- EVALUATING OWNERSHIP  DOCUMENTS-

a) Registration Certificate-Check if it is a duplicate or not.ORIGINAL RC COPY is Mandatory document required to be submitted in RTO for effecting Car Sale. Having 

a Duplicate Copy  is not accepted at time of transfer. If Original Owner has Lost RC, 

 insist on him to get New Registration Card Issue.

Check with the RTO for further  authentication.

Check engine no/ Chasis number are matching with the numbers in the Registration. 

Read RC Carefully - Model, Sub Variant,Owner Name, Address,Registration Number.

Check Hypothecation Column in RC, if any Loan is Taken, Financier Name would be

there

b) RTO Tax Receipt-: Ensure that the seller gives you the papers related to road tax.

This tax is a one-time payment, which should ideally be paid by the first owner of the 

car when he registers the vehicle. If it hasn't been paid, the penalty can run into lakhs

of rupees over time, and you, as the new owner, will have to bear this financial burden.

c) Insurance Certificate-This is the most important certificate of the car.Check for any

 prior accidents claims.This certificate is a must for any transfer by RTO.Get the

 insurance transferred to your name,otherwiseit will be tough to process a claim in

 case of an accident.While trasferring the policy,check if the premium has been paid  regularly. 

d) Pollution Under Control Certificate-This is a must for transfer of car.

e) Finance : If Car has Active Loan or Finance HP - Ask for Loan Repayment and Foreclosure Statement.Make sure that the NOC is available.Cross-check with the 

Finance company directly to make sure that the Noc is genuine and that there is no outstanding loan on the car.

f) Car purchase Invoice-Adealer or a company will provide you a printed bill along

 with the car.

5-EXPERTS ADVICE-
For Easing the Inspection Part - Take a Local Trained Workshop Personnel or your 

Trusted Mechanic in Cars Work shop to get Car Inspected for you on Paid Basis.His  judgement may be the most vauable piece of information to you.

6-AVOID DISCONTINUED MODELS-
Don't consider buying a car whose manufacturer no longer exists-
like Cielo,Daewoo,etc. These cars will have shorage of spare parts and maintenance 
cost will be high.

It is recommented always that once you take delivery of the car,you must get the car checked entirely and serviced and change the filters,fluids,etc.
Hope this was useful...

                         

  HAPPY AND  SAFE  MOTORING!