From the exterior to the dashboard – what to look for when checking out a second-hand car
Used machines depreciate, they believe, and will only give you a lot of heartache and headache as you discover a new problem each day.
This is true, especially for those who, to begin with, are true car lovers and of course have the money to drive a new set of wheels every two years.
For the rest, who consider a car as only a medium to take them from point A to B, from their homes to office and to the grocery store, a used car at a fraction of the original price makes practical and economic sense.
Buying a used car is not a bad idea and, with a bit of research and caution, you can still drive second-hand wheels without all the associated problems that keep the car and technology enthusiasts at bay.
Here are six important things that you should remember when going in for a used car to avoid the frequent garage visits.
#1 Check the exterior of the car
The exterior of the car can tell you a lot about what to expect when you open its doors.
The upkeep of the car will speak of the engine maintenance and its overall health and a little bit of attentiveness can also reveal the difference between the original and a new coat of paint.
According to Al Futtaim Automall, a pre-owned cars dealer in the UAE, you should carefully check the exterior paintwork for fading, rust, dents and scratches.
“Study the car surface from its four corners. Any waviness spotted in the body paint indicates new paintwork.
“Also, run your finger along the edges of the joints, between the panels, feeling for roughness which is created from leftover masking tape, another tell-tale sign of a recent paint touch-up,” experts at the company says.
If you can feel a new layer of paint on top of the original paint, be wary of red flags. The car has probably been in an accident.
Examine the chassis of the car very carefully.
“Never buy the car if there is any kind of damage to the chassis because that car will generally not be given a green light by car registration and inspection authorities, particularly in UAE,” says Hassan Siddiqi, Business Head, www.yallamotor.com
#2 Look for rust
Look for corrosion or rust in all possible areas. According to www.uaeusedcar.com, this is one thing that potential buyers should not forget, especially if the machine is more than five years old.
With the UAE’s hot and harsh weather, chances of rust increase if the car hasn’t been maintained well.
Look for rust at the top and rear of the front wings, along the side sills, below front and rear bumpers and the bottoms of the doors – in a nutshell, in all possible areas where the metal can get rusted.
“Sometimes a rust blemish on the paintwork can indicate more serious corrosion underneath.
“Press the panel gently with your thumb. If there is a cracking noise, it indicates advanced corrosion,” the website advises.
#3 What does the mileage say?
This is a very obvious one, but an important factor nevertheless that you need to consider. Always check the car’s odometer for mileage. It’s like the wrinkles on our face and easily tells the age of the machine.
“On average, a normal usage car will cover between 25,000km to 30,000km a year.
“However, this depends on many factors. Remember, cars age by mileage and over time too. So, buying a 10 year old car with very low mileage is not necessarily a good thing either. It is equally important that the owner has taken good care of the car and serviced it regularly as well,” suggest experts at Automall.
#4 Get a feel of the engine
The engine should be neither too clean nor too dirty. A very dirty one says that the car has suffered from neglect whereas a sparkling shiny one will tell you a clean-up job has been done to cover problems.
Have a look at the general state of the engine.
Check the colour of the oil, the quantity and colour of coolant and pay attention to the kind of noise that the engine makes as you turn on the ignition.
#5 Get to know the history
You should always find out about the history of the car, especially ones that have American specifications.
And this is why we suggest doing so. “In many cases, these cars still have their VIN number printed on the dashboard. A quick check-up using VIN number can be done online.
“Also, use other sources, like the stickers on the car giving details of the original US dealer or the original registration that might still be in the car. If you are a resident of Al Ain or Abu Dhabi in UAE, you can check car service history by logging to Abu Dhabi Ministry of Interior website,” explains Siddiqi.
“In most situations, the previous owner would have kept a record of the car’s service history and should be willing to share this information with you. If this information is not available, Automall recommends taking it for a further check-up.
#6 Stick to cars meant for UAE roads
While in Rome, do as Romans do. This was apt then and is so now. If you are living in the UAE and will drive on these roads, it’s best to buy in the country than get it imported from elsewhere.
Cars bought elsewhere can have specifications that don’t meet UAE requirements and may cause trouble later.
Another word of caution here – don’t get a car from the junkyard of another country into your parking bay.
“Last year there were many cars imported that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy in New York.
“For example, a 2013 Honda Pilot Touring, which has been damaged in hurricane Sandy was imported.
“This car will be taken to workshops, made to look brand new and then sold to customers at below market prices. Unsuspecting customers may buy it, thinking they got a bargain.
“In reality, they will be buying cars that have been written off by insurance companies and banks in the US,” maintains Siddiqi.
“In reality, they will be buying cars that have been written off by insurance companies and banks in the US,” maintains Siddiqi.
