Buying a used car? Never make these blunders

The Indian second-hand/pre-owned car market doesn’t have a great reputation, primarily because instances of cheating and over-charging aren’t uncommon. With a more streamlined flow now, thanks to nationwide used car dealership ranges, online verification, etc., buying a used car has become easier and safer, indeed. To ensure that you make the most of it, we list a few common mistakes that must be avoided while buying a used car.

Don’t overlook common models

While exclusivity is one thing, going for a common, more popular car is the safer bet while going used car shopping. It’s likely that the spares will be available easily, and common problems, if any, will have a bigger chance of being solved, both at the company and the mechanic level. Combine all that and you have a problem-free ownership.

Avoid super low priced examples

As a colleague rightly put, ‘if it’s too good to be true, it usually is’, so keep in mind that any car going for a fraction of the market price of the said model, has a hidden story behind it. Steer clear of such examples. It can be anything from theft, accidents, to something with a manipulated history.

Don’t skip the details

Never overlook the details. Look closely for chipped paint, rust, and signs of crashing. If there’s a discrepancy in what you see and what’s mentioned on the vehicle’s registration and service history, walk away. Cars that were repaired after undergoing a massive crash are often sold for cheap, and while the deal may appear lucrative, a vehicle that has undergone structural damage is again a solid NO.

Don’t go for a test-drive alone

There is nothing wrong in skipping friends and family when you go to inspect the car, but keep in mind to take a mechanic along. Not only will he/she tell you if there’s something wrong with the vehicle, you can also get a rough estimate on how much work the vehicle needs. So that’s killing two birds with one stone – getting to know the weak points as well as an upper hand in negotiating the vehicle’s price.

Don’t make quick payments

Irrespective of the fact that you are able to swipe the whole amount off your credit card, it’s your hard-earned (we hope) money and this is where you need to take utmost care. First, the car ownership starts with getting all the papers transferred, signing a few forms, and eventually checking all the documents. Don’t part with your money before checking everything.