Self-protection rules!
Spoiled odometers & re-painted rusty cars, who have not heard of them? But the truth is purchasing a well-kept used car can be a great way to save money. How to check a used car to ensure you are getting a good price? Read our twelve tips to used car checking!
Twelve Tips to Used Car Checking
Preparation before calling up to view
1. Check the OMV of your intended car.
This works only as a guideline but there is much more checking to be done.
2. Read the Straits Times Classified section to see what others are asking for the same make, model and year of car that you intend to buy to have an idea of the going rate in Singapore .
Viewing
Exterior
A big pool of oil or any fluid is a clear sign of trouble.
4. Check the body condition
• If the sides of the car seem rippled, this is a sign that there was body work done.
• Varying color shades on a panel indicate that the car has been in an accident.
• Any part that looks new or is covered with fresh paint is a possible indication that the car has been in an accident or they are covering up the rust.
• Get under the car and grab the muffler to see if it will fall apart in your hands. A rusty muffler will not live very long. Use torchlight to scan if there is rust or new paint under the car. (It would seem weird to paint the underside of a car, unless it is to cover the rust.)
• Check for uneven wear of tires. Uneven wear of the tires may indicate problems from poor alignment to extensive problems to the whole front-end.
• Open and close all doors. If a door has to be forced, the car has probably been wrecked.
If doors do not align exactly with body panels this could indicate an accident.
• Check that light lenses are not cracked.
5. Remove the oil dipstick and visually inspect the oil. Is it dark and dirty? Now feel the oil between your fingers. Does it feel gritty? If those are positive, it reflects poor maintenance.
6. Look at the engine if there is oil covering the external parts of the engine. This is a sign of leaks that are expensive to fix.
Interior
7. Check all the buttons and functions. Open the hood and the trunk; roll down every window, and even check the heat and the air conditioning. Play the radio and also the seat belts. The windshield wipers and the left/right signals should be checked as well.
8. Check the odometer (Very important!)
If the car appears to be low mileage according to the odometer, check if the original car keys and brake pads look worn. If yes for a low mileage car, it is likely that the owner is lying.
Cars can last up to 320000 km or more, but a car with more than 240000 km is a waste of time and effort at any bargain price.
Test-drive
9. Run the engine and make sure blue smoke doesn't shoot from the exhaust.
10. Get a friend to check that all the lights are working as you activate them.
11. Test the car in all gears.
12. When you drive, ask yourself these questions:-
• Does the car start easily?
• Does the engine idle smoothly?
• Does the engine accelerate smoothly and without hesitation?
• Do you hear any strange noises like pinging or knocking?
• Do you feel any vibration through the steering wheel?
• Does the front end vibrate abnormally while you are moving down the road?
• When you take both hands off the wheel, does the car continue to move straight?
• Does the transmission shift smoothly when you put the car into gear?
• Does it make a clunking sound when you shift it into gear?
• Do the brakes stop the car gradually as you press the brake pedal down?
• Do the brakes grab or stop the car suddenly?
• Do they squeal or grind when they are applied?
Note: If the pedal keeps going to the floor, you've got a brake leakage.
After test work
If, after you have conducted your own inspection, you are satisfied with the car thus far, your next step is to have the car thoroughly checked-out by a certified mechanic or check your dealer if the car will be sent for inspection with a reputable mechanic or any car authority like AA.
Tell the mechanic that you are considering buying the car and to check everything and write up a statement listing any problems, big or small, the costs range of each that they may find. This service may cost you as much as a couple hundred dollars, but the money spent will be well-worth it in the long run.
Be sure to tell the mechanic of any items you have found to be questionable.
If the problem/problems is/are relatively minor, you could request for the problems to be repaired or a discount before you purchase the car.
Sounds like a lot of work? No sweat, we can do that all and more for you, only at Alpine Credit. Just call me, Yong and my team, at 6553-1661. We'll help you do the rest.
