The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Can Make When Buying a Used Car

Content

What will you learn from this post?
Shortly speaking
Inadequate preparation for visual inspection
No comparison
Mileage as the most important factor
No test drive
Unchecked service book and VIN

Whether you're buying a car from a friend, through an online ad, or through a thrift sale, always use the principle of limited trust. Buying a car is a significant expense, equivalent to several (and sometimes even tens) of salaries, so the signing of a contract must be preceded by a thorough and scrupulous check. Learn about the most common mistakes buyers make when viewing a used car and don't be fooled!

What will you learn from this post?

What to look for when viewing a used car?
How do I prepare for a used car inspection?

Shortly speaking

The most common mistakes that buyers make when choosing a used car include insufficient preparation for inspection, inability to compare a particular car with others, refusal to test drive, excessive mileage increase, and failure to check the service book and VIN number. ...

Inadequate preparation for visual inspection

It can be difficult to buy a used car in satisfactory condition. There is no shortage of unscrupulous sellers. Advertising portals and commission sites are full of "pearls from Germany" and "needles in perfect condition", which, although they look good at first glance, hide serious defects inside.

The first mistake buyers make is that they don't prepare for an inspection. Even if you are well versed in the field of automotive and mechanics, before you go to the meeting with the seller, read about the most common malfunctions of the selected model, its advantages and disadvantages... Thanks to this, during the examination, you will pay attention to what without proper research you might not even think about.

No comparison

Became. After hours of watching ads, you finally found this - dream car, absolutely perfect, meeting all the requirements. You do not hesitate to make an appointment with the seller, and during the inspection you enthusiastically examine all the details, admiring the well-groomed appearance and the flawless operation of the engine. You sign a contract and pay - as soon as possible so that no one passes by you, because such an opportunity does not happen every day.

This is a mistake that buyers often make. Even if you're just looking at your dream car, in perfect condition and at an attractive price, take a deep breath and don't make spontaneous, enthusiastic decisions. Above all compare sample with others. This will show you how the model moves - and you may find that what the seller called the hallmark of this series of cars is simply hidden flaw of this particular car.

If you cannot pass the comparative examination (because, for example, you did not find other interesting offers), take the car to a diagnostic station or to a familiar mechanic... The seller, who has nothing to hide, will agree to this without any problems. In the workshop, specialists will carefully check the technical condition of the car, examining the most important elements, including such as the engine, suspension system, shock absorbers and brakes.

Mileage as the most important factor

The odometer reading remains one of the most important criteria when buying a used car. This is right? Not completely. The mileage gives a fuzzy idea of how the car was used. A car that the owner has driven around town on a daily basis may be more worn out than one that has driven long routes on highways and expressways, even though it has less mileage.

Of course, there are gems in the aftermarket for auto parts, i.e. old but well maintained low mileage cars... However, they usually differ in a correspondingly higher price. If the car you are interested in has a suspiciously low mileage and at the same time is not more expensive than other cars of this class, pay special attention to scuffs on the steering wheel and gear knob, faded and cracked plastic in the cabin, wear on the gas pedal, clutch and brake... These are the elements that clearly show that the mileage is greater than the meter indicates.

5 biggest mistakes people can make when buying a used car

No test drive

Another mistake buyers make when looking for a second hand car is not taking a test drive. It's hard to believe, but 54% of people buy a car without a test drive... This is a huge mistake. Only while driving can you see the technical condition of the vehicle.

Be sure to take a test drive of at least 30 minutes while browsing a used car. Don't turn on the radio Hear the engine runningpaying close attention to any suspicious clicks, squeaks or howls, and be careful check the operation of the gearbox, hand and foot brakes, suspension and electronics, incl. air conditioning.

Unchecked service book and VIN

When inspecting a used car look at the service book - the records in it will clearly indicate what repairs were carried out in the past and whether the owner took care of the car, regularly carrying out minor faults and repairs. Also check VIN number – 17-digit unique vehicle number, which is recorded in the registration certificate and on the nameplate. This number indicates not only the make, model and year of manufacture of the car, but also the number of registered accidents in which it was involved, and the history of service by authorized service stations. You can check the VIN of the selected vehicle at Historiapojazd.gov.pl.

When choosing a used car, be vigilant, study the smallest details carefully and ask the seller about any doubts. The search may be long and difficult, but eventually you will find the perfect copy.

If your new purchase requires minor repairs, take a look at avtotachki.com - you will find everything you need to bring your car to perfect condition. Also engine oil and other working fluids - do not forget to change them immediately!

5 biggest mistakes people can make when buying a used car