The need to look carefully for any signs of damage such as scratches or rust on the structure and check the tires (AFP)
People usually prefer to buy new cars as long as they are able to pay for them, but economic and forced reasons, such as inflation and high prices, lead many of them to own used vehicles. If you are one of these, it is necessary to set your priorities in order to make the right decision for your need.
According to the magazine “Fox to Move”, the most prominent of these 5 priorities should be paid attention to:
1 – distance traveled
The number of kilometers driven by the car is one of the most important things to consider because the average life of a car is around 200,000 miles, so you need to make sure that it is not too close to this number, otherwise it is likely be involved in costly repairs immediately after its purchase.
You can check the mileage by checking the odometer or ask the previous owner to record the total mileage.
2 – Date of maintenance
If the previous owner kept up with regular maintenance, that’s a good sign that he took good care of the car overall. However, if there are long gaps in the service history or if it has never been maintained, this may indicate underlying issues that have not been addressed.
3 – car body and cabin
Look for any signs of damage, such as scratches or rust. If the body of the car is in good condition, it is likely that it has been well taken care of, but if the body of the car is in bad condition, then it clearly shows that it needs proper maintenance for its condition.
And you can check the structure through visual inspection. If you are concerned about any problems, have a professional mechanic check it out before you buy. It is also essential to closely inspect the interior of the vehicle if you want to make sure that all functions are working properly and that there is no excessive wear or damage.
Also check the dashboard, seats, belts and other small features that may have worn over time.
4 – tires
It is also necessary to check the condition of the tires to ensure that they are all free of cracks or damage. If the tires are in good condition, the rest of the car is likely to be well taken care of.
You can check tires using tools such as a tread depth gauge or a tread texture gauge. You can also check this with a mechanic who can advise you.
5 – Test drive
Finally, always make sure you drive the car yourself before you buy it, this allows you to see how comfortable you are owning it and check if there are any issues that are bothering you. In a test, you may hear the noise or feel the relief.
Try taking the car for a test drive on different types of roads to see how it performs in different conditions.
Ultimately, when buying a used car it is essential to prioritize these five things to make the best decision for your needs.
And by prioritizing mileage, service history, chassis, tires and tests, you can feel confident you’re getting a good deal on a reliable vehicle.
So why not take the opportunity to buy a used car?