What to look for when buying a used car, tips for beginners

A Used car will cost less than a new one from the salon, but buying it is associated with the risk of acquiring a poor-quality vehicle. In order not to save yourself from a loss, but to buy a really good car, take the issue seriously, use proven life hacks.

How to choose the right used car

Right and thoughtful. There are no small things. Love the look, the functionality is great! Need money to buy? And for service? Before buying, evaluate your needs and possibilities sensibly. Decide whether you want to buy a sedan or an SUV, automatic transmission or mechanics, on gasoline, gas or diesel. The more clearly you know what you want, the easier it will be to choose.

Make a list of questions. Make a few phone calls to better understand the situation in the secondary market for the model you are interested in. Weed out suspicious and inappropriate options immediately, without hesitation. Good options are found, with a sober approach, you will find a profitable option.

Who sells used cars?

Used cars are sold by both individuals and organizations – official dealers, car dealerships, as well as resellers who earn on resale.

Buying from a reseller is not the best option, because you overpay the intermediary. How to recognize a reseller:

when viewing an ad, you should be alerted by hidden numbers or photos in a car service, a pseudonym instead of the owner’s name, a minimum of information;

when talking on the phone – refusal to clarify the details, a call for an immediate meeting;

at the meeting – refusal to present documents.

The owner will answer questions, but will try to hide negative information. Ask clear questions, demand comprehensive answers.

10 questions to ask:

1. Who is the owner, to whom is the used vehicle registered?
2. State number?
3. VIN?
4. Number Passport of the vehicle? Is it original, how many people are included in it?
5. Where did maintenance and repairs take place? Is there a record book?
6. How long ago was the replacement of technical fluids and consumables?
7. What components and parts were replaced?
8. Was there an accident?
9. Does the car owner agree to diagnostics at the service station?
10. When, where to meet, how to buy?

Step-by-step instructions: the procedure for buying a car from your hands

Need a plan. Just a few steps and the keys are in your pocket. The following procedure must be followed:

1. Determine the scope of the budget. Calculate how much money you have, subtract 10% from it – you will need funds for maintenance and minor repairs.
2. Select the desired model. What do you expect from the future car? List the criteria, whether it’s more power or a roomy trunk, based on them, find 2-3 suitable used models. Listen to the advice of car owners.
3. Find out the market price. Find out the pricing issue and the average price.
4. Analyze proposals. Browse ads and look for potential sellers on used marketplaces. Be on the lookout for new listings because worthy options are in demand and sell out quickly.
5. To negotiate. Find suitable options, call and ask questions.
6. Arrange a meeting-acquaintance and inspect the car. It is advisable to take a partner with you who understands used cars. It will help to notice shortcomings, if any, will be moral support. Take a thickness gauge with you to measure the paint layer in order to determine the place of touch-up of the body and recognize the broken car.

Study carefully:

Passport of the vehicle;

body, gaps between its parts;

underhood space;

salon;

performance of all systems.

• Carry out a test drive. Analyze:

proper start and operation of the motor;

feelings on the road

comfort in management;

the presence of suspicious noises;

the work of the suspension and brake system;

the presence of jerks when shifting gears and beating the steering wheel.

• Organize diagnostics in the service center. A comprehensive check will 100% protect you from purchasing a low-quality vehicle.
• Make a deal and buy. When buying, to complete the transaction, you will need a contract of sale, drawn up manually or executed on a form. After receiving the documents, keys, finding out all the questions, pay off and pick up your car already.
• Put on record.

That’s all. Now you are a full-fledged car owner!

Where is the best place to buy a car

The used car market has migrated to the Internet – sites offer a wide range of models. There you will find current ads, contact the seller and arrange a meeting. When buying, be careful, there are scammers who want to sell low-quality goods for fabulous money.

Online sellers include:

private individuals – it is the owner who is most likely to buy a good car, plus they set the real price;

resellers – maximize the price, buying from them, you spend for nothing;

official dealers – sell both good ones and broken ones, making them look like normal ones, but you have several options to choose from and the right to return a low-quality product within 14 days.

Give preference to private ads and officials, buying from them, increase the likelihood of making a justified purchase.

Checking the history of a used car before buying

Knowing the data and having the Internet at hand, you can check the history of the car. Ask for the VIN and state number. And look for information on sites:

traffic police – the number of registrations, information about traffic accidents, restrictions, search;

service of the Federal Notary Chamber – whether the vehicle is collateral, and also if it is not being sold by the owner, is there really a power of attorney for it;

the whole story;

information on customs clearance;

is it arrested for debts;

passport check;

paid service for obtaining comprehensive information.

In addition to searching for information on the network, ask for the original Passport of the vehicle. If there is no document, and the duplicate is fresh, it is better to look for another option. Checking the history will protect you from possible troubles. But keep in mind that data until 2014-2015 are most often not available in the databases, not all accidents are officially registered. Resellers do not always fit into the Passport of the vehicle. Therefore, before you buy, be vigilant when inspecting.

What to look for when buying a used car?

The first thing to look at is the documents. The car must be from the owner and without a debt history. The second is the state of the car. There are dozens of points to pay attention to. Do not be afraid, it is important to be attentive to details and consider everything in order, with the help of competent friends and specialized service stations.

Engine compartment

Arm yourself with a bright flashlight, open the hood and look under it. Impeccable cleanliness is a bad sign. There were probably leaks, the traces of which were removed, but there should be no drips of oil and technical fluids, fogging either. Carrying out an external inspection, check the elasticity of the rubber hoses, the integrity of the side members, the serviceability of the compressor with the air conditioner on. Exclude the presence of rust, damage to the elements. Find the VIN, make sure it matches the one on the Passport of the vehicle.

How to check the engine of a used car

The motor should be moderately dirty, but free of leaks and rust. Inspect spark plugs and timing belt. Analyze the operation in the on state, evaluate the color of the gas from the exhaust pipe. Eliminate the presence of bubbles in the coolant in the expansion tank. Check the oil with a dipstick.

car body

Perform a visual inspection and check the body with a thickness gauge. Measure the thickness of the paint in 5-10 places on each element – in the center and along the perimeter. Compare the shade of paint, eliminate smudges. No one will paint as well as at the factory.

Inspection of the body upon purchase

Inspection should be carried out in bright light, moving from the front left fender to the opposite right fender, paying attention to every detail. Pay attention to the uniformity and symmetry of the joints, the recessed parts.

Suspension condition

Stand in front of the car, evaluate the level of the roof, the uniformity of the ground clearance.

luggage compartment

Move the upholstery aside, make sure that there are no bumps under it. Check mounting bolts. If the vehicle has been involved in an accident, there will be marks on the inside of the trunk. There should be a spare tire and a jack under the trunk floor.

Muffler

The muffler should ideally not have holes in the pipe and spark arrestor, otherwise the exhaust will be noisy. Eliminate cracks on the mount. Assess the color of the engine exhaust manifold, if the car has passed more than 100 thousand mileage, it will be brown.

wheels

The discs should not have cracks, defects, and the pads should not show signs of strong uneven wear. Tires should also be worn evenly. Exclude the presence of hernias, cracks on the rubber. The pads on the racks should hold firmly and evenly.

Inspection of the salon

Inspect everything in the cabin for wear and tear. Pay attention to the seats, steering wheel, power windows, wipers, air conditioning, stove, heated seats, mirrors. It must be dry under the mats, otherwise problems with door seals are likely. Make sure the dashboard is working.

Bargaining and buying methods

Need to trade. Setting the price, the seller takes into account that he may be asked to move. Say that you are ready to buy, name your price or honestly ask the real cost. Point out all the nuances that you noticed when inspecting the car. If the seller agrees, agree on the method of payment.

What to do after buying a car

Based on the condition of the car. In any case, when buying from your hands, it’s right to go to the service station and go through full service.

How to be safe when buying a used car

Check documents, Passport of the vehicle, compliance.

Check out a used car. Pay close attention to body geometry. The fact that the vehicle has been in an accident can be understood by a number of signs:

different glass markings;

asymmetrical gaps in doors and body elements;

front bumper in perfect condition (small scratches and dents are inevitable while driving on the road, and their absence indicates a bumper replacement);

headlights differ in appearance;

the paint was peeled off on the fasteners of the doors and the hood;

the paint under the door seals differs in shade from the main one;

There is a crack on the windshield that doesn’t look like stone damage (no center).

Hiding mileage is a common occurrence. If the declared mileage does not correspond to the operating time of the car (average value is 20 thousand per year), there are ways to convict the seller of a lie:

brake discs – an edge of 2-3 mm – from 100 thousand, new brake discs – about a recent replacement and much more mileage;

steering wheel – traces of operation are visible – 150-200 thousand km, and scuffs at the 9 o’clock position – about trips out of town over long distances, 3 hours – movement mainly within the city;

pedal pads – scuffed to metal or replaced with new ones – for 300 thousand;

driver’s seat – upholstery suffers after 150-200 thousand km. real mileage.

Be attentive to details – the car will tell everything about itself.