If you are a seasoned driver with a few years of experience, there probably isn’t much in this article that is ‘new knowledge’ regarding what to look at when inspecting a used car. Yet if this is your first venture into the used car market, this article will prove to be very useful.
Here are the main aspects of a used car inspection.
- Service history – Every vehicle has a service history; a record of all repairs and maintenance carried out, with the stamp of the garage that did the work. This information is found at the rear of the owner’s manual and a full-service history (FSH) is what you want, especially is the car is older than 3 years and had multiple owners.
- Mileage – Of course, the mileage tells you about the use; a car with low mileage is worth more than one with above-average mileage. If the mileage is high, this is a good point for the buyer to bring up, as it offers leverage for a drop in the price. If you’re looking to sell your car, look no further than Cars4Us, Australia’s leading car buyer who offers a smooth sale with the best prices.
- Condition – VGC is the acronym for a car in top condition, followed by average and poor. If you are unsure of your ability to assess a vehicle, take an expert along and let them inspect the car; for the little it costs, it brings you a clear assessment and you can make an informed decision.
- Physical inspection – Walking around the car, looking at the bodywork, making sure to check under the wheel arches, while squatting down to look under the vehicle will reveal chassis rust issues. Dents and dings should be pointed out and the seller may offer to fix these. Here are a few auto skills you need to acquire as a car owner.
- Test drive – You’re not going to make a decision until you have sat behind the wheel and taken the car out for a drive; no seller would expect you to. They would probably wish to accompany you as a passenger and driving allow you to get the feel of the car, how the engine responds, and how the steering, brakes, and shocks perform. Try the washer and wipers and take note of all dash symbols, indicators, etc.
- Paperwork – Of course, the vehicle registration documents should be in good order, enabling you to become the official owner. Once the registration process is complete, you are the new owner.
Online solutions
There are so many online platforms with cars for sale; some experts will tell you to buy a second-hand car from a dealership, as you will get a decent warranty. Buying from a private seller usually means ‘sold as seen, so bear that in mind. Click here if you are buying or selling a car in QLD.
We hope that the above information helps you in your quest for the perfect used vehicle at a price that you can afford.
