What do you check first before buying a used car?

[Guest joli86]

Hi experts, could you please kindly enlighten me what do you guys check out when buying used cars??

Is there anyway to see or feel where is breaking down, a good buy of that car or???

[Guest ehwwong]

joli86 wrote:

Hi experts, could you please kindly enlighten me what do you guys check out when buying used cars??

Is there anyway to see or feel where is breaking down, a good buy of that car or???

hi,

many things to check..

Papervalue and Depreciation will determine whether the car is good buy or not.

Condition of paintwork/interior etc etc

Condition of engine/ transmission etc etc

Reputation of the dealer etc etc

for peace of mind, you can sent to AA for inspection prior of buying.

[Guest joli86]

ehwwong wrote:

hi,

many things to check..

Papervalue and Depreciation will determine whether the car is good buy or not.

Condition of paintwork/interior etc etc

Condition of engine/ transmission etc etc

Reputation of the dealer etc etc

for peace of mind, you can sent to AA for inspection prior of buying.

sorry what is AA??

Condition of engine/transmission by hearing??

you gt any reputation that are good for car dealer??

[Guest NewC180]

Too many variables and factors to consider when buying a used car.

Paper value, depreciation, no of owners, mileage etc etc. Sometimes it might be more worth while to buy a slightly more expensive ride with a lower mileage and 1 owner. Again, mileage might not be the real value also.

Better to get someone more experienced to go shopping with you!

[Guest 9339]

Just goes with your heard.....dont look back.

Even NEW CAR got problem.........

[g8crasher]

Please remember to check for flood damage :becky:

Our friends in Bukit Timah would definitely be selling cars of interest to us. :becky:

Some bros have covered the paperwork bit so on to the body inspection bits..

First piece of advice - LOOK BEYOND SHINY BODYWORK

Open the bonnet and boot, look at the bolts that hold the panels to the body mainframe and make sure that the colour is consistent throughout the car.

For older cars, lift the weatherstrips surrounding the door edges to ensure that there is no rust.

Next, you will need to squat on the floor and look at the undercarriage of the car, making sure the alignment looks right on either side of the car. Run your index finger along all the panel gaps. Take time to do this.

Using your palms, press firmly on the front suspension and rear suspension. Note the firmness of the rebound. If it is very difficult to push the car down, it usually means the shock absorbers are still up for the job. If the car bounces excessively, especially when test driving, be prepared to get a new set of shock absorbers.

For older cars, it is good if you have the advantage of cold starting the car, meaning that the owner hasn't turned it on prior to your arrival. Pre-warming the engine can potentially conceal some engine trouble.

No matter how well you cover yourself with checks by various sources etc, a car is always subject to electrical and mechanical gremlins which may choose to appear at the most inappropriate of times (usually when you sign on the dotted line, collect the car and drive out of the dealership). So, be prepared to shell out some moolah.

Got more to come..

[Guest Raskie]

even the AA/VICOM inspection cannot totally scan the car for faults .. but the major ones can be detected especially if it has been in a major accident and chassis/alignment out

besides the visuals and AA/VICOM, if the car is maintained by agent, can get service history of car

not sure if MBM has 'pre-love' imspection services ... if yes, can pay to get some checks done by qualified workshop ...

end of day ... Luck .. quite alot depends on luck I suppose ...

[Guest blackmercs]

I m not the expert, here is my 2 cents

Body - check the fender arch, let yr finger do the walking then compare the left and right, if differs means, being repaired for watever reason. Pop up the bonnet, check for abnormal welding on the four corners. As for the boot, lift up the spare tyre cover and do the same thing.

Lights - press hazard light and switch on the low, high and foglight check for damage light.

Ignition starts - switch it on / off twice immediate action, yes twice.

Brake - must sure it works, any abnormal noise when braking.

Steering alignment - drive at 80 km and above at a straight road then hands off slightly, the car shld be going straight.

Engine - shld not have any abornaml noise from belting, chain etc

The rest shld be standard, such as power window, folder mirror function shld works and etc Best send the car to yr regular technician for advise!!!

[Guest ACSLK]

joli86 wrote:

Hi experts, could you please kindly enlighten me what do you guys check out when buying used cars??

Is there anyway to see or feel where is breaking down, a good buy of that car or???

Hi Jolie,

How's life man..........what car you changing to? Selling your SLK?

used car it all depends on how old and what's the mileage of the car........or if it is still under warranty (best).........unless you are talking about COE car (sure got alot of problem here and there, depends on the ex-owner as well)

Happy searching...........

cheers

[Guest rssid]

Send to fav mechanic/workshop for inspection. Check log books for servicing history and call dealer i.e. pml/kah/borneo see if they have past rec of the car's odo cuz some 2nd hand dealers like to play with the odo readings

[Guest Raskie]

but would the agent bother to entertain you ? unless you proof that u bought and own the car else it wld be infringing on owner's privacy ?

but buying second hand car depends also on alot of luck

[Guest joli86]

ACSLK wrote:

Hi Jolie,

How's life man..........what car you changing to? Selling your SLK?

used car it all depends on how old and what's the mileage of the car........or if it is still under warranty (best).........unless you are talking about COE car (sure got alot of problem here and there, depends on the ex-owner as well)

Happy searching...........

cheers

haha, not selling my SLK yet... like it... how's ur new Z4??? very eager to see it!