Let’s Talk About Buying A Used Car

There are 13.3 million registered drivers in Malaysia as of June 2019. Yet, some don’t own a car for whatever reason. If you are thinking of buying a vehicle but not wanting to spend too much on a new car, then purchasing a used unit is the way to go.

Diving into the secondhand car market can get you a gem for not a lot of money. On the other hand, it is also likely that you’ll unknowingly pay too much for a very well-dressed lemon. However, before you get started, you might want to take a moment to think about the reason for the purchase.

You may be tempted to buy that sexy, sleek sports car because it’s comparatively cheap, but the spare parts can be sparse, and its maintenance could burn a hole in your pocket. If all you need a car for is your daily commute, it may be better for you to get a more economical model. Not only would it be lighter on your pocket during purchasing, but also during maintenance and road tax renewal.

Next, identify your budget. Do you have enough to pay the car with cash, or do you need a loan? If you need a loan, it will be useful to know how much you can afford to spend a month instead of looking at the vehicle’s total price.

Once you have made a list of the models you want according to your budget, you can begin hunting. Visit as many used car dealerships as you can. You can also search online and used car websites to find your new old-ride.

Another vital thing to do is to check the used car company’s reviews, whether it is an online or physical dealership. Read the experiences of others to know if you should trust or avoid the dealership. Unscrupulous people are always ready to scam.

If looking on websites such as Mudah or even on Facebook Marketplace, you should also do a reverse image search to make sure the car belongs to the owner. There are always people who take Google images or photos of other people’s cars and post them as their own for unsavoury reasons.

You can also gauge the market value of your car of choice by scouring used car websites. Crawl through enough, and you’ll form an idea if the vehicle is overpriced or value for money.

Now it’s time to hit the pavement. It goes without saying that you need to inspect a car as thoroughly as possible before buying it. Bring a friend, a mechanic or a mechanic-friend to help you appraise the vehicle. You don’t want to regret buying it.

There are some simple things you can do to determine the condition of the vehicle. First, you should sit in all the seats — front and back — to check the seatbelts. Buckle up, then try to pull it out of the buckle. While there, you should also lurch forward; the belt should lock-up to hold you back when you do this.

While you’re in the front, you can also look at the dashboard and ensure there are no warning lights on. You should also check the exterior and interior lights are working. Then, inspect the floors, doors and ceiling for tears, stains and discolouration. Use your nose too, funny smells may be a clue of something fishy going on.

On the exterior, look out for significant scratches, dents, rust or evidence of repair as well as look at the condition of the tyres and exhaust pipe. All of these could compromise the safety of the car. Request to take the car under the sun to inspect the body, or you can use your smartphone’s torchlight function to see if the lights bend unnaturally. This might indicate a small dent.

The defects that you’ve found may not necessarily be a bad thing. You could use it to your advantage and use them as points to negotiate with the seller; just make sure it’s something you’re willing to deal with if you do end up buying the car.

The next part of the inspection would be under the hood. Even if you don’t know much about the ins and outs of a car engine, you can still check for leaks, burning smells or signs of repair. Start the engine, give it a rev or two and listen for weird screeches or knocks. Take this time to check if the exhaust is spewing white or black smoke. Having a mechanic or a well-versed friend here is advantageous.

The final test would be to feel how it performs on the road if the dealer allows a test drive. Take it for a spin and again look out for any unusual sounds or smells. Also, look out for any stains on the ground where the car was parked that could indicate any leaks.

If you’re satisfied with the car’s performance and all the documents are in order, there is one last question you must ask yourself: does it make you happy? If the answer is yes, then go for it!