Tips on Buying a Second Hand Car for your Home

Purchasing a car is tricky enough. But buying a second-hand one is even more difficult, especially if you live a third world country like the Philippines. Steel tubes, mufflers, and other parts have to be properly checked first and foremost to ensure you are going to get your money’s worth.

Here are some tips for you to follow when it comes to buying pre-loved cars or vehicles.

The seller’s disposition

Meeting up with the vehicle’s seller is important. Set a long meeting with the car’s current owner/seller where you can ask them all kinds of questions. Do not hesitate in asking direct questions like whether it crashed in the past or had been flooded. Look them in the eye while they are answering to tell whether they are lying or telling the truth. If their eyes are shifty, then they are most likely lying to you.

Test drive

Always ask to test drive the car you are planning to buy. You can learn about the car’s state by doing so. Carefully listen for tugging or knocking noises while steering the wheel into a full left/right lock. This could indicate issues with the vehicle’s steering. Other sounds you should be on the lookout for are the ones coming from the transmission and engine when performing a full-throttle acceleration. Also, check the brakes by doing a simulated panic stop.

Service records

It is also vital you ask the seller for the car’s service records. It should be a collection of receipts or a detailed log that will tell you how many times the car has been maintained in the past.

Thoroughly check the vehicle

Thoroughly checking the automobile’s interior and exterior should always be a prerequisite when it comes to purchasing second hand cars. Some of the things you need to check are windshield, wipers, A/C, lights, gauges, seatbelts, seats, tires, and paint. The most important thing you have to inspect, however, is the engine bay. If it shows any signs of filler, then it most likely means that the car has been involved in a serious head-on collision.

Research

Another prerequisite when it comes to buying used cars is research. Research the model you wanted to buy. Check Google to learn the car’s reputation. Go to other various used-vehicle dealerships to check how much they are selling this particular brand/model. Research about the parts it has and see if a nearby shop sells these car parts.

Two budgets

It is ideal for you to prepare two budgets before you buy a used vehicle. The first one is for the initial purchase of the car, while the second one is for maintenance to make it roadworthy. By doing this, you can avoid stress in the long run. This means that you are prepared to pay for the vehicle if something goes wrong with it. You may want to consider having at least 20% of the procurement price for your second budget.

Check the mileage

Keep in mind that you are going to need more part replacements if the vehicle’s mileage is higher. Usually a car starts to need replacements in parts once they reached the 60,000km mark. You could end up paying for new parts like an A/C compressor, a new radiator, transmission overhaul, fuel filters, and brake pads.

Remember these tips to make purchasing a second hand car as painless as possible! 

About the author:

Katrina is your average gal living inside the metro who has passion for writing, travel and photography. She admires nature at its finest and always wanted to become one of them. Dreaming to have the Cinderella life one day, humming with the birds, dancing with the clouds.