When purchasing a used car, avoiding major red flags like a shady accident history or severe damage is essential. However, it’s important to pay attention to smaller details that could significantly impact your cost of ownership or resale value.
Key Areas to Scrutinize
- Tyres: Tyres are always costly, especially with features like low profile, run-flat, or off-road capabilities, or large sizes. It’s essential to check both the condition of the tyres and their tread depth.
- Brakes: A vehicle’s brakes are crucial for road safety. When buying a car, check the brakes thoroughly. Listen for any unusual noises like squeaks or grinds, which could indicate worn brake pads or other issues that need attention.
- Wheel Rims: Minor scratches on alloy wheels can be inexpensively repaired, but the cost rises dramatically for diamond-cut rims.
- Windshields: A cracked windshield, especially if it’s in front of the driver, can mean your car isn’t roadworthy. Additionally, modern vehicles often have sensors and cameras attached to the windshield for features, making replacements pricey.
- Front Bumpers: Often damaged by stone chips, front bumpers with modern, complex shapes can be pricey to respray. Textured surfaces might even need a full replacement.
- Bodywork: Costs for repairing dents and scratches vary. A simple dent pull might be affordable, but scratches near panel edges or dents on curves are more challenging and expensive to fix.
Evaluating Age and Mileage
A car’s age and mileage are also crucial factors. Newer, low-mileage cars should look great, but older, high-mileage ones can be expected to bear more signs of use. For example, categorizes its cars into classes to set clear expectations for reconditioning standards. High level vehicle should be in near-mint condition, whereas a mid Class car with higher mileage might be expected to show some signs of wear.
The Importance of a Roadworthy Certificate
Be also aware to get roadworthy certificates. A roadworthy certificate at least gives some comfort of a minimum legal safety standard. The tires aren’t worn smooth, the brakes aren’t entirely shot. It’s certainly not a seal of quality or condition, but if your seller doesn’t even certify roadworthiness, you need to tread very carefully.
Buying from a Trusted Source
Take your time when examining a used car. If you’re buying from a dealer, take note of the general condition of the cars on the floor, which are an indication of their standards. Buy from someone you can trust to have done the groundwork. Who you are buying from is almost as important as what you are buying.
When purchasing a used car, it’s crucial to consider these details to ensure a wise investment. By paying attention to the cosmetic condition, scrutinizing key areas, evaluating the car’s age and mileage, ensuring the vehicle has a roadworthy certificate, and buying from a trusted source, you can make a more informed and confident purchase.
