Five tips for buying a used vehicle

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17: There is nothing like the excitement of purchasing a brand new car. There’s the new car smell, the latest gadgets and, of course, the reassurance that your vehicle isn’t hiding any secrets of past abuse or damage. But times are changing. Money is tight for many of us so the idea of saving a few dollars and buying second-hand has become a more popular option. But how do you get that same reassurance that you’re getting a safe and reliable vehicle? Here are a few things to look out for before parting with your hard earned cash.

The first thing you want to check is the mileage. High mileage could mean the vehicle was used for business and driven hard. Conversely, a very low mileage may indicate the vehicle might have been left unused for long periods or used only for short journeys. Both can cause engine problems. A vehicle that has been regularly used and serviced is your best bet.

Ask to see service and repair history. Also ask to see repair receipts and then check that the mileage on the odometer tallies with what was recorded on the documents. Vehicles bought first-hand from the dealership usually have a repair record with the dealership. There you can see what kind of repair and maintenance is done. A car that is maintained in the dealership has an advantage that there are no un-endorsed replacement parts on the vehicle, which can sometimes be the cause of a problem later on.

Take your time and thoroughly inspect the vehicle. Always inspect the bodywork in good light. Look for corrosion or rust. Surface blisters are usually relatively harmless and easily treated but advanced corrosion can be more serious. In addition, look underneath the vehicle and under the hood for rust and corrosion.

When inspecting the vehicle, you also should look out for signs of past body work due to collisions. Any crash repairs will show up if they have not been well done. You may see ripples or a change in the texture or colour of the paint. Open the doors and see if there is a discrepancy on the outside and inside colour. A car that has been in a collision can be dangerous, especially if the suspension or steering have been damaged.

Take the vehicle on a test drive. Make sure that covers a mixture of conditions, such as slow driving in town, faster driving on the longer roadways and, of course, take it up and down hills and around the winding roads on the island. Check that steering is consistent with no tendency to pull either left or right. Also, hit a few bumps to check the shocks and listen for any clanking noises. While in the vehicle, check the windows, side mirrors and switches, etc.

After you have done your test drive, look under the vehicle to see if there is any liquid leaking. If its water, it may just be the air conditioner or possibly a leak from the radiator. If it is from the radiator, then the vehicle may be prone to overheating. If there are oil leaks, then this is more serious and sets off a red flag for purchasing.

Finally, ask the seller if you can have the car inspected by an independent service technician. One who can take an even deeper look at the vehicle’s running system. If the service technician does find repairs that need to be carried out, then request that this cost be deducted from the asking price.

I also believe in following your instincts.

If you feel something isn’t right or that the deal is too good to be true, then it probably is.

Krishna King has more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, and chairs the Automotive Occupational Advisory Committee for the National Training Board.

See www.bermudamotors.bm for more info