Buying a used car in SA: five tips to get the best deal
Cape Town – Not everyone can afford a fresh car, well, with exception of the thirty six 794 fortunate South Africans who registered their fresh cars in January 2017.
Fresh car sales in SA have flitted around the thirty five 000 mark for the last five years, even tho’ that means that five hundred forty seven 442 units were sold in 2016, compared to six hundred seventeen 648 in 2015.
But fresh vehicles sales are clearly the junior fucking partner when compared to used car sales.
According to WesBank, data displayed that application volumes for fresh vehicles amounted to thirty eight 343, versus eighty nine 390 for used vehicles in May 2016.
Sure, everybody loves that fresh car smell but a second-hand car suggest better value, while leaving your wallet intact, if you go after a few ordinary steps.
Used cars are also likely to attract a much lower insurance premium than fresh cars, and feature-for-feature, you can usually get more bang for your buck.
Yes, let`s set aside your fears of being stuck along the side of the road with these tips on how to pick your fresh (used) car, without having someone take advantage of you.
Even you have an ‘OBD2 code’ reader, some sellers are able to clear codes without fixing problems.
Step 1: Don’t think with your heart
The very first step is often the hardest; don`t fall in love with a car. For a used-car dealer, a smitten customer makes for effortless pickings and they will lightly sell you a rolling disaster. It could be the vehicle you dreamt of wielding as a child, the car of your very first smooch, or that sports car you loved when it came out. don’t think with your heart.
When you set out to buy a car, the trick is to search far and broad and consider all your options. The internet can be your friend in this regard.
This might not work for everyone, but I`ve purchased a lot of cars and have a rule of not even considering the very first three cars I look at; In fact, those viewings are minimally more than scouting expeditions.
Find out what’s there and weigh-up each vehicle’s pros and cons.
If you`re buying fresh, by all means go berserk and purchase something exotic. If you’re searching the second-hand market, mainstream is safer, and here`s why; You may have minimal or no factory warranty so the cost of maintenance will come straight out of your pocket.
An oil filter for a Toyota Corolla can cost as low as R60 but for a Renault more than R200. This escalates if you own a high-performance model.
But it`s more than simply considering the cost of parts.
Have a good look at the engine of your car. (Duncan Alfreds, News24)
Once the dealer cuts you liberate, you need to explore independent service stations to keep your car in tip-top form.
Typically, these mechanics will charge a premium for working on cars where the engine bay is more covered up than a mummy.
In terms of spectacle, you should ask yourself ‘If this GTI, Type R or M3 is so good, why are they selling it?’
It`s hard to make generalisations but you would do well to stay away from high-performance cars mainly because those are the ones more likely to have been driven to death before they are sold. Unless you are knowledgeable about cars, have a decent mechanic and be ready to pay a premium for parts.
Step Trio: Observe people, not cars
This strategy has worked well for me buying several cars; See the seller while you talk about the car. Shifty behaviour is usually a sign that there`s something dodgy with the car.
Walk around the car and point out parts. Witness the sellers bod language.
Look for signals that the seller is awkward and go after your gut. There`s no harm in walking away, rather than being stuck with a lemon.
I once eyed a great-looking model for sale but the private seller seemed rushed to make the sale. Fortunately, I had a mechanic with me who pointed out a soapy residue in the oil – a tell-tale sign of a deepthroated head-gasket.
Step Four: Testing and more testing
Don`t ever let on that you know anything about cars; rather have the seller talk about the car`s good points – and be sure to check the things he doesn`t talk about.
Specifically, check brake discs for uneven wear, check the colour of the oil (it should be golden brown, and not a dark colour) battery terminals should be clean, tyres should be in good condition with even wear, and the bod should be straight. Check the bod seams in the engine bay and boot to see whether it was repaired after a smash.
While the handbrake is up, give the car a mighty heave. Of course it should not budge.
Be suspicious if the car has a “fresh” battery. Think about it, why would a person wanting to sell a car give you a battery worth R1000? Perhaps it’s to hide something such as a faulty loom or alternator.
Ditto for fresh tyres that may be attempt to mask serious suspension or steering problems. And witness out for paint on bod panels that may emerge to be a different shade to the rest of the vehicle – this indicates the car has been in a crash.
Never begin your test drive by hopping in and heading off.
Instead, have the seller switch on the ignition and let the vehicle idle. Walk around the car and test the wipers, lights and listen to the engine noise. Once it has been idle for awhile, switch it off.
Attempt to commence the car with the headlights still on. If it doesn`t begin instantly there may be an electrical problem. Check all light, aircon, electrical window and mirror switches.
During your test drive, make sure you test all the gears, and include some kind of incline on your route. Feel for any «vapid catches sight of» in acceleration.
(Plane catches sight of are where the acceleration momentarily stops, and picks up again. It could indicate ignition or injector issues.)
Listen for funny (not ha-ha) noises. Grinding sounds when you brake or switch gear may indicate a serious mechanical fault and it`s best to walk away from a car that makes those sounds. There should also be no high-pitched squealing from V-belts.
Take a duo of minutes after the test drive to see if any fluids have leaked onto the ground. Oil or coolant could indicate a serious issue with oil seals, engine or cooling system.
Ultimately, does the vehicle «feel right» to you (this is where your gut comes into play)? If yes, do the deal.
See this movie on key engine checks you should do:
Buying a used car in SA: five tips to get the best deal, Wheels24
Buying a used car in SA: five tips to get the best deal
Cape Town – Not everyone can afford a fresh car, well, with exception of the thirty six 794 fortunate South Africans who registered their fresh cars in January 2017.
Fresh car sales in SA have flitted around the thirty five 000 mark for the last five years, even however that means that five hundred forty seven 442 units were sold in 2016, compared to six hundred seventeen 648 in 2015.
But fresh vehicles sales are clearly the junior playmate when compared to used car sales.
According to WesBank, data displayed that application volumes for fresh vehicles amounted to thirty eight 343, versus eighty nine 390 for used vehicles in May 2016.
Sure, everybody loves that fresh car smell but a second-hand car suggest better value, while leaving your wallet intact, if you go after a few ordinary steps.
Used cars are also likely to attract a much lower insurance premium than fresh cars, and feature-for-feature, you can usually get more bang for your buck.
Yes, let`s set aside your fears of being stuck along the side of the road with these tips on how to pick your fresh (used) car, without having someone take advantage of you.
Even you have an ‘OBD2 code’ reader, some sellers are able to clear codes without fixing problems.
Step 1: Don’t think with your heart
The very first step is often the hardest; don`t fall in love with a car. For a used-car dealer, a smitten customer makes for effortless pickings and they will lightly sell you a rolling disaster. It could be the vehicle you dreamt of wielding as a child, the car of your very first smooch, or that sports car you loved when it came out. don’t think with your heart.
When you set out to buy a car, the trick is to search far and broad and consider all your options. The internet can be your friend in this regard.
This might not work for everyone, but I`ve purchased a lot of cars and have a rule of not even considering the very first three cars I look at; In fact, those viewings are minimally more than scouting expeditions.
Find out what’s there and weigh-up each vehicle’s pros and cons.
If you`re buying fresh, by all means go berserk and purchase something exotic. If you’re searching the second-hand market, mainstream is safer, and here`s why; You may have minimal or no factory warranty so the cost of maintenance will come straight out of your pocket.
An oil filter for a Toyota Corolla can cost as low as R60 but for a Renault more than R200. This escalates if you own a high-performance model.
But it`s more than simply considering the cost of parts.
Have a good look at the engine of your car. (Duncan Alfreds, News24)
Once the dealer cuts you liberate, you need to explore independent service stations to keep your car in tip-top form.
Typically, these mechanics will charge a premium for working on cars where the engine bay is more covered up than a mummy.
In terms of spectacle, you should ask yourself ‘If this GTI, Type R or M3 is so good, why are they selling it?’
It`s hard to make generalisations but you would do well to stay away from high-performance cars mainly because those are the ones more likely to have been driven to death before they are sold. Unless you are knowledgeable about cars, have a decent mechanic and be ready to pay a premium for parts.
Step Three: Witness people, not cars
This strategy has worked well for me buying several cars; See the seller while you talk about the car. Shifty behaviour is usually a sign that there`s something dodgy with the car.
Walk around the car and point out parts. Witness the sellers bod language.
Look for signals that the seller is awkward and go after your gut. There`s no harm in walking away, rather than being stuck with a lemon.
I once spotted a great-looking model for sale but the private seller seemed rushed to make the sale. Fortunately, I had a mechanic with me who pointed out a soapy residue in the oil – a tell-tale sign of a deep-throated head-gasket.
Step Four: Testing and more testing
Don`t ever let on that you know anything about cars; rather have the seller talk about the car`s good points – and be sure to check the things he doesn`t talk about.
Specifically, check brake discs for uneven wear, check the colour of the oil (it should be golden brown, and not a dark colour) battery terminals should be clean, tyres should be in good condition with even wear, and the figure should be straight. Check the figure seams in the engine bay and boot to see whether it was repaired after a smash.
While the handbrake is up, give the car a mighty heave. Of course it should not stir.
Be suspicious if the car has a “fresh” battery. Think about it, why would a person wanting to sell a car give you a battery worth R1000? Perhaps it’s to hide something such as a faulty loom or alternator.
Ditto for fresh tyres that may be attempt to mask serious suspension or steering problems. And observe out for paint on figure panels that may show up to be a different shade to the rest of the vehicle – this indicates the car has been in a crash.
Never begin your test drive by leaping in and heading off.
Instead, have the seller switch on the ignition and let the vehicle idle. Walk around the car and test the wipers, lights and listen to the engine noise. Once it has been idle for awhile, switch it off.
Attempt to begin the car with the headlights still on. If it doesn`t embark instantaneously there may be an electrical problem. Check all light, aircon, electrified window and mirror switches.
During your test drive, make sure you test all the gears, and include some kind of incline on your route. Feel for any «vapid catches sight of» in acceleration.
(Plane catches sight of are where the acceleration momentarily stops, and picks up again. It could indicate ignition or injector issues.)
Listen for funny (not ha-ha) noises. Grinding sounds when you brake or switch gear may indicate a serious mechanical fault and it`s best to walk away from a car that makes those sounds. There should also be no high-pitched squealing from V-belts.
Take a duo of minutes after the test drive to see if any fluids have leaked onto the ground. Oil or coolant could indicate a serious issue with oil seals, engine or cooling system.
Ultimately, does the vehicle «feel right» to you (this is where your gut comes into play)? If yes, do the deal.
See this movie on key engine checks you should do:
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