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Buying & Importing Cars · The African Autos

How to Avoid Disappointment After Buying a Used Car

  • by James Ogwera
  • March 19, 2014

How about you avoid a scenario where your used car’s performance disappoints long after buying it? It has happened to several buyers in the past, especially people who buy their cars online, because they cannot test-drive cars on the internet. It may happen to you too. Aside from the fact that you can get used vehicles at reduced prices while enjoying slower rate of depreciation, a number of risks are associated with buying used cars.

Some users realize that it is a great challenge finding replacement parts for some vehicles long after purchasing them. Besides, some used cars may have mechanical issues. Honest customers will disclose such information to the next buyer. However, this market lacks some honest participants.

Isuzu Dmax SX How to Avoid Disappointment After Buying a Used Car

Poke the engine before buying a used car
Image source: commons.wikimedia.org

If you are to find a good deal whenever shopping for used cars, you would want to undertake a comprehensive search. In fact, it all boils down to your choice. In that case, some tips on how to choose may come in handy. Here are some.

  1. Compare prices

Whenever you have comparable information from varied sources, you will be able to make an informed choice. It therefore follows that you will need to shop around with the primary objective of gathering information on the prices other dealers are selling used cars.

2. Make careful observations

There is no guarantee that the seller will disclosed all material information about the vehicle under sale. Some sellers may misrepresent information concerning the vehicle under sale. For a vigilant eye can unravel such misrepresentations. With clear and true information, you can make an informed choice as you buy the used car.

3. Useful pointers to help you tell the health of a vehicle

Whenever examining a used car for purchase, remember to observe every part ranging from the engine, the interior and even the chassis.

4. The Chassis

Examining the body of the used car under sale could reveal crucial information you might need in making your purchase decision. For instance, you would not want to buy a vehicle which has been involved in accident. To get facts, you should look if paint is mismatched on the opposite panels. Equally, over-spraying on some parts could be another indication. Check for rust in case you see spilling paint. Often, it leads to rust.

5. The Interior

A careful examination of the interior could reveal the true condition of the vehicle under sale. For instance, a vehicle could have depreciated more if the carpeting appears old. Make sure to check the brakes, accelerator and clutch pedals. Depreciation on those parts should match the age of the machine. In case the speedometer has been tampered with, it should be good to doubt mileage readings of such a vehicle.

car maintenance How to Avoid Disappointment After Buying a Used Car

basic car maintenance tips at home
Image source:redbus2us.com

6. Engine

The engine is one of the important parts to examine carefully. If it produces rumbling noise, it could indicate mechanical issues. Dirt around the engine could be a sign of poor maintenance. Remember to also check battery terminals too. You should avoid cars whose water in the radiators is unclean or contaminated with oil. Equally, avoid cars, which signal that its oil has never or rarely been changed.

In nutshell, you can avoid disappointments from your car if you ask and check all the paperwork related to that car. Also, get a mechanical check done on the car. Important to note is the fact that you cannot rely entirely on a Roadworthy Certificate whenever making a purchase decision. The cert only spells out that the car meets minimal qualities.

— James Ogwera

James Ogwera is an experienced writer from Nairobi, Kenya. An auto enthusiast, James loves gathering information and news about cars and Africa. He loves the development that is happening so fast in Africa, transforming it to a lucrative market for vehicles and technology.

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