Considering the high daily cost and inadequate public transport, buying a second-hand car is a rational and cost-effective option for many working professionals. 

The used car market is a large and diverse one. Globally more used cars are sold compared to brand-new ones. Despite the high sales volume in the used car market, potential buyers may end up wasting their hard-earned money if they fail to pick the right car. It's necessary to ensure that the purchased car is in good and road-safe condition. To that end, here’s a checklist to consider before investing money in a second-hand car. 

Why should you thoroughly check before buying a second-hand car?

There are a lot of reasons why you should prepare and go through a checklist before buying a second-hand car. Here are a few reasons. 

Safety 

The first is safety. Safety is the top priority of any car owner as nobody wants to be at risk riding their car. Checking for the vehicle history and performance can ensure whether the car would run reliably and safely for the new owner. 

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Cost 

There is always the risk of getting duped with used cars. It might be some internal issue or the engine issue which is not apparent from the outside. These issues may not show up at the start, rather the signs start showing after a few hundred kms. 

Without a proper inspection, a potential buyer might end up spending more on repair and maintenance in the long run. 

Legal Issues 

Another reason to check a second-hand car is for its usage history. The potential car might be stolen or it might have an outstanding loan against it. In any case, as the new owner, the buyer can be held responsible for any legal issue with the car. 

Peace of Mind 

Lastly, buying a second-hand car is always a stressful ordeal. Checking the car before buying not only minimizes the risk of getting scammed, but it also brings peace of mind for the new owner. 

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Checklist for buying used car 

Vehicle History 

The first and foremost thing to check is the history of the vehicle. Every car has a usage history that outlines damage and accident reports. Even if there is no explicit mention of accidents, look for repaired damage signs. It is much easier to spot external damages like panel gaps or paint overspray. 

But if the car has internal damage like the ones created by floods or natural disasters, it might be very difficult to assess the damage. The potential buyer can take the help of a mechanic to check for water damage as it might not show upfront but it may create an issue in the long run. 

Physical Inspection 

Physical inspections are best done with the help of a car expert or a mechanic. There are two steps to physical inspection – internal and external. 

The external inspections include checking for any kind of external damage. It is recommended to look for dents, scratches, rusts, and signs of previous repair. 

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Before buying a second-hand car, the potential buyer needs to conduct an internal inspection carefully. 

- The seats, carpets, dashboard, and other places inside the car should be checked for any signs of wear and tear.

- The air conditioning system should not be left unchecked. The same inspection process is needed for the wipers, lights, and the heating system. 

- The door hinges should be checked, like whether they close smoothly or not. 

Wheels and Tires 

Depending on car models, replacing tires may cost the new owner a significant amount of money. Sometimes it's simply not worth it to buy a second-hand car with problematic wheels and tires. A potential buyer should look for the condition of the rubber on the tire, tread depth, and the making of each tire. 

If the tires are branded, buyers can check with the said brand with the serial number to check for authenticity and installation dates. 

Gearbox and Clutch 

This point is mainly for those looking to buy a second-hand manual car. Automatic cars do not leverage manual change of gear. So there is not much to check other than test driving which we will come to later. 

As for manuals, check the clutch and gear shifter movement. If the gear shifter wobbles, chances are it might have had excessive wear and tear. A good gear shifter should be firm and would require a moderate to strong push to move around. 

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On the other hand, the gearbox should also seamlessly transition between gears. Listen for any wheezing to grinding noises when shifting gears to assess whether the shifting is working pristinely or not. 

The Brakes 

The brakes can be checked externally as well as during test drives. From outer inspection, check for wear and tear on the brake pads or rust forming on the outer layer. A faulty brake pad would make the car skid or make squeaking grinding noises when braking.

Maintenance Record 

Every car should have a maintenance record that outlines how many times the car has been repaired or maintained, for example, oil changes, tune-ups, or regular inspections. Before choosing a second-hand car, the buyer needs to check the records.

Test Drive 

Test drive the car on different road conditions to properly assess the drivability of the car. Many potential hidden issues of the wheels, brakes, or even engines may come forward with a test drive. 

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Title and Registration 

It is recommended to check for the authenticity of the title and registration number of a used car before purchasing it. The new owner should also check whether the insurance and taxes have been properly filed against the car. And lastly, the registration and title ownership should be transferred to the new owner as soon as possible when buying the car. 

Price 

The last thing to consider is the price. Used cars’ price ranges are usually much lower compared to the new ones. There is also the matter of model and year. Every car goes through a steady depreciation cycle.

Therefore, before investing in a used-car, the potential buyer needs to make sure that the vehicle matches the market and depreciation value. The interested buyers can check for secondary dealerships or simply Google to assess the current market condition. 

Final Words 

Buying a second-hand car is not easy. There is always the possibility of getting a car with major flaws or being scammed altogether. Regardless, considering the depth and size of the second-hand market, a careful approach while buying a car would potentially land a great deal for a buyer. 

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