When deciding to buy a car, there are a number of risks that you expose yourself to. These risks are quite expensive to manage especially in the event that they occur. Some of the risks include buying a stolen car or worse buying a painted junk car. As such, it is important to ensure that you are extra careful especially when buying a car from an individual or a car dealer. There are factors that you should consider while buying a new or a used car. These factors include:
Pre-Shopping Advice
This is the advice that you get from car dealers about the trends in the market. The rate of depreciation of used / old cars is by far less than that of new cars. This implies that an old car is more cost effective than new car especially in the long run. As such you require looking at the state of the car market before making that big decision. In addition to looking at the market’s state, you need to be aware of the different factors to verify in the car that you want to buy. You should verify that the car’s engine number corresponds to the number indicated in the registration papers. What’s more is that you may need to test drive the car in order to know more about the car’s efficiency. You should ensure that each and every system in the car of choice is efficient. Stretching from the brake system to the electrical systems in the car performance should be the main preference.
Bodywork
While checking at the nature of the body work in the car, you should always ensure that there is adequate natural light around the car. This helps you in identifying every single mark on the car’s body. Always look for rust or corrosion especially if the car of choice is a little over five years. If your car of choice is a new car, you do not have to check for any rust in the car. Surface blisters that may be identified in the car should not create any alarm. This is because of the fact that blisters are as a result of scratches on the car’s body.
Collision damage
It can be quite risky and disadvantageous t purchase a car that has been involved in an accident. The situation is worsened if the car’s suspension and steering have been damaged due to the collision. Therefore examine extensively the condition of the car especially underneath the bonnet and in the suspension. Inspect the car’s engine bay’s panels and chassis and identify the extent of repairs done on the car. Also inspect the car’s interior by unrolling the carpeting material and check for any welding done on the car’s floor. Cars whose body has been made by welding two halves together are very dangerous and prone to accidents.
Inside the car
Always check at the car’s odometer to establish whether there is any alteration whosever done on the cars mileage. Check for the correspondence between the car’s mileage and the general condition of the car. Cars whose mileage is over 60,000 miles are not good machines to buy. This is because of the fact that such machines are completely worn out and as such they may encounter numerous mechanical problems in the future.
In conclusion you should check at the car’s transmission especially if it operates on a manual gearbox. The clutch system should be fully efficient in order to ensure that the car will be of great use to you its new owner. Before purchasing a car, it is important for you to enquire more from professional car dealers.