Buying A Used Car? Here are The 11 Most Important Things To Look Out For.

buying a car is somewhat a huge investment. An a second hand car, is more like a high risk investment. Like any investment, one needs to perform due diligence before committing huge amounts of money. Before you buy a second hand car, please make sure you perform a pre-inspection with a qualified mechanic so that you do not get expensive surprises in the future. Here are the top 11 things you should check before buying a car.

Check mileage.

When purchasing a used car, mileage is a significant consideration, but it is easy to forget. You can become engrossed in best mpg cars or other performance metrics. The average annual mileage is 15,000 km, so a car with less than 75,000km after five years is considered poor. If it’s a lot more, it’s considered high. Cars with a high mileage cost more to maintain and are more susceptible to expensive repairs. While it might seem to be a cost-cutting measure in the short term, the long-term costs may be significant.

Check for leaks.

Have you ever gone out to your garage and discovered a huge puddle under your vehicle? Before you panic, find out if the fluid on the ground is normal or if it indicates that you should take your car to the mechanic. Leaking oil and other fluids from a vehicle, no matter how slowly, is a sign of poor maintenance or injury. Be sure to look underneath the car as well as in the engine compartment. A filthy, oily engine should be avoided at all costs.

Check the tyres.

It’s important to look after your tyres if you want your car to run smoothly. This entails performing routine inspections and ensuring that they are in good working order before embarking on a journey. Maintaining your tyres on a regular basis will save you money in the long run. Driving on under or overinflated tyres, for example, can cause issues with braking, tracking, fuel economy, and suspension. Smooth or unevenly worn tires may indicate a variety of issues ranging from poor wheel alignment and balance to worn shock absorbers and a collapsed suspension system.

Safety check.

How many people put petrol in their car and then just put water in the windscreen washing bottle when they go to use it and all they get is air? And few people check their car tyres, despite the fact that they are critical in preventing you from ending up in the bushes. Seatbelts and airbags are important safety features to inspect, however you still need to check other things as well like your headlight, indicators, tyres, windscreen, mirrors, , air-conditioning system. If all of these processes aren’t working, you should stay away.

Test drive.

The seller needs to let you take a car for a diverse drive for at least 20min not for a short spin, check if it moves swiftly, there’s no smoke or noise while driving the car, drive it on residential areas, stop and go and highway if possible and bring someone for a second opinion. Look at things including gaps between panels. The more time you spend testing a car the more you nice things like dents, dings, scuffs, and all the other realities of violence and neglect can be easily overlooked if you search through them quickly.

Check all the car electronics

Check that all of the electric and electronic equipment are operational. Your vehicle’s lights are arguably the most significant electronic gadget. Fogged lenses and uneven beams can all be considered red flags, whereas a dim beam indicates that it’s time to replace the bulbs. Also, make sure the radio, infotainment system, climate control, locks, central locking, and all other accessories function as they should.

A test worth paying for

You may also request a detailed inspection from a reputable car inspection firm to ensure that the vehicle is in good technical condition. These could cost you – or the dealer who is willing to do it – a few hundred rand, but the added peace of mind is well worth it.

Interior checks

The interior condition of a car will help determine if the mileage is real. If the interior is tired and worn, particularly the steering wheel, seat bases, and side bolsters, a car with 30,000 km on the clock should have an almost new interior. Examine the upholstery for rips or tears, as well as holes punched in the dashboard and a sagging roof covering.

Bodywork repair

One of the simplest visual checks you can do when looking at a car is checking the bodywork. In other words, you’re looking for any signs of repainting or new panels that may indicate the model has been in an accident. Car park dents and dings are normal on doors, and a chipped front could indicate a lot of highway driving.

Check the gearbox and clutch

Checking the gearbox and clutch is more about what you can experience than what you can see. There are manual and automatic gearboxes, but there are various types of automatic gearboxes that behave differently. The car’s gearbox, whatever it is, can smoothly and quietly activate all gears. There’s a concern if it doesn’t.

Exhaust and smoke check

Start the engine and go to the back of the car, watch exhaust for few minutes if the exhaust stays for a few minutes, it will tell if there’s a problem. You should also pay attention on the colour of the smoke coming out.

If you are still unsure book a pre purchase inspection today. We understand that buying a second hand car can be stressful that’s why Michanic is dedicated to providing the most convenient services for our customers, so if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your car, feel free to talk to our customer service team via email at [email protected], or by phone on 087 803 9000.

Click here to get an instant online quote for pre a purchase inspection!