A Quick Guide on Buying a Used Car

A quick guide on buying a used car

Private owners or dealerships are the two potential sources when it comes to buying a used car. Buying from either has advantages and disadvantages. This article is a quick guide to make a well informed decision while keeping in consideration both disadvantages and advantages.

Private owners are often emotionally attached to their cars; therefore buying even a simple car from them can be complicated and sometimes annoying. They argue with the buyer to ensure that the car they had owned is going to the ‘right person’   Also, there is no consumer protection. Once you buy a car from a private owner it is your headache if the car malfunctions later on. More importantly in a crime ridden country like Pakistan you can end up purchasing a vehicle that might be of theft or involved in a criminal activity.  However, if you possess a good insight about cars you can acquire a dream car from private owners otherwise it is advisable to make a purchase from dealers. When buying from private owners keep in mind the following tips to make sound decisions:

Make use of MTMIS (Motor Transport Management Information System). It is a system in the province of Punjab that reveals registration details of any Punjab based vehicle and enables a buyer to know any criminal or damage history of the vehicle. Take along an expert mechanic for the body and engine check-up or if that is not possible than begin inspection yourself and: Look underneath the car for rust because a used car with rusted frame is not structurally sound. While the rusted frame can be appropriated but refurbishing can be an expensive exercise. Check the tires and wheels for alignment. Look for the recent paint jobs on the exterior to get a hint of any damage to the body. To gauge the proper functioning of the engine, make a test drive. Drive the engine while cold. A cold engine tells more than a warm one. Turn the key and see if the engine starts at once or starts after several attempts. Check if the engine makes awkward noises while starting. Check all the car accessories like AC, car wipers, lights radio etc if they are functioning properly. Do a test for smoke. Take your foot off the accelerator for a few seconds, after driving at a full tilt and then floor it again after a few seconds. If the cloud of blue smoke ensues from the engine as a result of the exercise than you can be certain that the oil is burning and the car has internal engine problems. If possible take the test drive on a bumpy road to ascertain the performance of shocks. If you feel the bumps a lot then the shocks have probably worn out. If there is clanking and rattling then you must be prepared for investing in the engine to get its performance smooth.