When Buying a Used Car;
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Find your car you want by browsing through ads in magazines or do it online.
- compare prices with other similar cars - different sellers value their cars differently.
- Prepare a list of questions to ask the seller, such as 'what is the condition of the car', 'has it been in an accident', 'how many previous owners'
- Check how much is left owing on the car to the finance company and make sure that the seller has settled the amount fully before you take possession of the car.
TAKE A TEST DRIVE
It may seem perfect on paper, but driving the car is the best way to find out if it's exactly what you are looking for.
- Bring along your valid driving license
- Drive the car from a cold-start if possible -tell-tale signs like juddering, excessive smoke and rattling noise will be less obvious in a warm engine.
- Go through all the gears - make sure you test the car at different speeds and on varying road surfaces.
- Listen carefully for any grinding, screeching or knocking noises as they could indicate problems or undue wear and tear.
INSPECT THE PAPER WORK
There are three main oieces of paperwork you need when buying a car - the registration card, Puspakom certificate and service history.
- Registration card - ensure that all the details on the certificates tally with the car and the seller; particularly the VIN (Vehicle Identfication Number), number plate, make, model and year. Never buy a car without a registration card even if the seller says it has been sent to the JPJ. Make sure tha registration card is genuine bearing the water mark. Also, make sure the seller has the right to sell the car.
- Puspakom certification - all Puspakom certificates are printed by computer. If you want assurance that a cert is genuine, call the Puspakom enquiry line at 1-800-88-6927 for verification. Remember, a Puspakom certificates is not a guarantee of the roadworthiness - you should always carry out your oen checks too.
- Service history - check for a service book full of garage service stamps - and check the mileage tallies with that shown on the dash. A pile of receipts is even better; a conscientious owner will keep all old bills so you can tell what work has been carried out. Don't forget other bits like installation certificates for aftermarket alarms, for instance.
HAGGLE FOR A LOWER PRICE
Buyers rarely pay the advertised price for cars and will usually expect to haggle. If you are delaing with a trader, you'll have room to negotiate or get a bit more for your part exchange. Failing that, ask them to chuck in warranty, mats ot other features you fancy (GPS, window tint). Private sellers are also ripe for haggling. Try and secure better price for the car especially if the tyres are worn or the road tax is close to expiry.adapted from: Buying and Selling Guide, Motor Trader; issue 567, pg 7.
