14 tips on how to choose a used car

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Finding a good used car is not easy - anyone who has ever bought a brand new car knows this. These tips will help you make the right choice.

1. Do not buy a car with all the money you have

Leave 10-15% for repairs and unforeseen expenses. They will definitely be, even if the car is a year old and it is under warranty. Otherwise, the family budget will quickly begin to collapse.

2. Do not choose a car on the principle of "something for 400,000 rubles"

Define for yourself 2-3 models that you will be looking for. This will help not to be sprayed and not make a rash decision on emotions. Plus, you can study the selected models on the forums, find out their typical problems, service periods and understand the intricacies. All this will facilitate the search at times.

3. Consider the average price for the car you are interested in

Most accurately, this can be done manually, remembering mathematics for the fifth grade, or using the "Price Statistics" tab on the "Auto.ru" website. Knowing the average price, it will be easier for you to think sensibly, to bargain and not to fall into the hands of scammers and dealers.

4. Don't expect someone to sell a good car for below average price

If a person urgently needs money, he sells the car through intermediaries and instantly receives money. All other underpriced cars are broken or with legal problems. Or is it an ad from scammers.

5. The first conclusions about the car can be made even on the ad

If it contains disgusting photos and a two-line description like “All questions on the phone”, “All MOT on time, the car is in perfect condition” and so on, you don't even need to call. In 95% of cases, this is a reseller.

6. Talking on the phone gives a lot of information and saves time

Ask specific questions that cannot be answered generally. For example, which dealer did the car get MOT? When was the last oil change? What's new in the car? Is the TCP original? How many owners are recorded in the TCP? How long does a person own a car on PTSD? Is the interlocutor the owner or is he helping someone with the sale? Is there a service book, work orders and receipts? Etc.

7. Always check the documents before inspecting the machine

This can be done on the traffic police website or avtokod.mos.ru if the car is from Moscow or the Moscow region. You can find out if the car is pledged on the website of the Federal Notary Chamber.

8. Track new offers

The best cars sell in days or even hours. Therefore, if you want to get the best car at the most attractive price, subscribe to updates on the model you are interested in in the Avito or Auto.ru mobile applications and keep an eye on them.

9. When buying a car in a car dealership, carefully read all the clauses of the contract

It shouldn't take more than 5-6 pages. If they brought you a contract, then they took it away and brought it again, read it again: there may be changes that are unfavorable for you. If you buy a car on credit, read the terms with triple attention. Unofficial dealers are very fond of including hidden fees in the price and taking a commission for canceling the transaction.

10. Rent a thickness gauge to inspect the machine

Look on the Internet, what thickness of paint should be for a particular car model, and measure it during inspection. True, the thickness gauge is not a panacea, since sometimes cars are painted specifically for the device or minor damage is repaired using CASCO.

You need to look to see if the gaps on different sides of the car are the same, if the paint is knocked off the bolts, if there are traces of paint on the seals and moldings, if the shagreen and tone of the paint on different parts are different, if the stampings are joined, if the headlights and glass are the same, are they symmetrical worn out tires.

eleven. Don't believe the odometer readings

Best of all, the mileage of a car gives out the state of the interior: the driver's seat, steering wheel, armrest and gearshift lever.

12. When you test drive, pay attention to all the little things

Check if the steering wheel is level, if the car is drifting away during acceleration and braking, if something is knocking in the suspension, if the air conditioner and electrical equipment are working.

13. Drive the car for service before buying

If you liked the car in all respects and you have no doubts, be sure to go to the service and diagnose at least the suspension before concluding the purchase and sale agreement. Ideally also an electric motor. This will cost a maximum of a couple of thousand rubles, but will save you from buying a car in poor condition. In many cases, diagnostics allows you to identify those problems due to which you can bargain well and certainly beat back its cost.

14. You can conclude a sales contract and make changes to the TCP yourself

The main thing is to have one pen and one handwriting. It is better to transfer money to a pre-opened account through a bank office. This will save you from fakes and fraud.