Important Aspects of a Used Car to Check When Buying

It is always risky when you buy a used car, for obvious reasons, and even more so if you have a limited knowledge of cars and how they work. A car is a very complex piece of engineering, and there are many things that can go wrong, and if you are not so knowledgeable about the inner workings of a car, here is a list of major components to check prior to making a purchase.

• The Engine – The power house, the engine is the heart of the vehicle and you should listen to the engine while it is at idle speed, listening for any strange noises, plus you should rev the engine and listen to the pitch. Check the mileage, which should not be too high for its age, and also take note of how clean the engine is, as this is a sort of indicator to how well it has been maintained.

• The Bodywork – Inspect all of the bodywork, looking for signs of filler and rust, especially under the wheel arches, where rust can often appear, and if possible, have the car put on a ramp and inspect the underside. There are used cars for sale in Canberra by established used car dealers and they issue a fair warranty on all used cars they sell.

• The Chassis – This is the frame of the vehicle, and it has been known for a car that has been in a serious accident to have the chassis rewelded and the car is sold without a mention of any accident.

• The Test Drive – Of course, you want to test drive the car, which gives you an opportunity to see how the car handles, plus you can check the brakes, indicators, lights and climate control, as well as inspecting the interior for signs of damage.

• The Car’s History – In the rear section of the owner’s manual, you will find all the details of any service or repairs that have been carried out during the car’s lifetime. Obviously, a full service history is preferable, and most cars will have this, which gives you added peace of mind. If a car does not have a full service history, then you must assume that the service sessions were not carried out, and this should be reflected in the asking price.

• General Condition – There are three categories to describe a car’s overall condition; very good, average and poor, and, of course, the VGC car would fetch the highest price. Check the paintwork and the upholstery, looking for minor blemishes, and when you find any, point them out to the seller.

• The Logbook – Obviously, you need to check that the seller is actually the owner of the car, and there would be some duty to pay when reregistering a car in a new name, and the buyer and seller usually split this cost 50-50. In the event the name of the owner in the logbook isn’t the same as the person selling the car, this should raise alarm bells.

If you are careful and know what to look for, you should make the right choices and end up with a very good deal.