Looking to buy a used car? Here's everything you need to know

For as long as there have been cars, there has been a used car market. It caters to a variety of buyers — from utility-based users to those who aspire to own luxury vehicles but can’t afford them at retail rates. It also flies well with those who know how economic models and price markups work; and those who know that a well-maintained used vehicle is a simpler and, arguably, better solution to the ‘sustainability’ question.

But considering the amount of money to be spent, the fear of buying a lemon, and the lifestyle changes that come with it, buying a preloved vehicle can be a daunting task. But we are here to flatten out those rolling hills of anxiety by listing out what used vehicle to get and how to get one that satisfies your needs.

Stick to the plan

When shopping for a vehicle at the Al Aweer car markets or online, it is not uncommon to get sidetracked by the numerous fancy and expensive rides that are on display. But it is important to keep your mind on the objective, which is finding a vehicle that meets your needs and expectations. Speaking of which, ensure that the vehicles you shortlist meet your occupancy requirement, especially if you have a big family, fuel efficiency minimums if you spend a lot of time on the road and ride quality too for similar reasons. Sometimes it’s the kind of vehicle that may get one distracted, sometimes it’s the price, but always remember that a good deal is not necessarily a good buy.

And don’t discount all used cars. There may be little gems in the sea of vehicles, which may just need a wash and polish session, a change of fluids, a fill of the tyres and a charge of a battery to renew its spirit. Also, with the kind of prices the used car markets demand these days, it may also be a good idea to check out the new car market, quite ironically. You may have to wait a few weeks or months, but nothing beats that new car feeling at almost the same price.

Test drive

A car or SUV may be good on paper, and it may even get the green light from the local mechanic, but I’d always recommend a test drive. Get a feel from the driver’s seat, rear cabin, how easy it is to get in and out, and how spacious the boot is. From a mechanical perspective, make sure that the braking is effective and consistent, there isn’t excessive smoke from the exhaust tips, no unusual smells inside or out and certainly no vibrations from the steering, pedals or any other parts.

Checklist

Authorised used car dealers often advertise and boast about their 100-plus point checklist. But I urge you to not take anything for granted. Request that list from the dealer and examine these points yourself. This may include the operation of the lights, horns, wipers blades, radio and other electrical parts, such as the power windows; and mechanical components, such as oil seals, mounts etc. Even the seemingly inconsequential things should be accounted for, like the spare tyre (its condition), the fire extinguisher and the warning triangle as well.

Tyres

The condition of the tyres is of prime importance as they provide the points of contact between your 2-ton vehicle that can run at 120 km/h and the ground. I suggest doing a physical check to see if all four tyres are evenly worn and what’s left of the tread depth.

And there are some other things to be known, like the expiration date. If a tyre is stored in optimal conditions, it will last up to 10 years, some manufacturers claim. This is a rarity in my opinion. But most of them only guarantee safety for the first five or six years, and I believe the latter may be the better rule of thumb to follow. Just check the tyre wall for the four digits. The first two digits represent the week, while the last two are the year of manufacture.

Foreign spec vehicles

Very often foreign spec vehicles, like American and Japanese ones, turn up on used car websites, markets and auctions for a much smaller price tag. This may make them tempting purchases, but they come with a few concerns. For one, the instrumentation can be in Imperial units and not S.I. This means that speed may be indicated in mph and not km/h and coolant temperature will be in Fahrenheit, etc. The point is that these vehicles may have different features, thermal insulation levels, and cooling capacities from those available locally. This also applies to safety features.

But the main concern is that some of these vehicles may even be ‘flood cars’. North American cities are often victims of hurricanes and floods. And sometimes, not just residential and commercial parking lots (and roads) get flooded, even dealer parking lots can face the same fate, which means that even new or ‘0 km’ cars are not exempt from this natural calamity. While across the Atlantic it is mandated to disclose this information to the public, you don’t see it printed here, which can leave you in a bit of a fix later. You may see that the vehicle has been cleaned up rather well on the surface, but the mold and grime may only become apparent with time. The AC vents, under carpets, and even parts of the engine may be affected in a major or minor way. But if you still like that American spec Mustang or Camaro, go for it; just be aware of the challenges you may face.

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wknd@khaleejtimes.com