INDIMOTO USED CAR BUYERS GUIDE                               

Read this guide to learn all about why and how you should buy a used car. A must read for getting a good deal at the used car market.

Used Car Vs New Car          search used cars in india

 

By purchasing a used car you can save a lot of money. You could buy a loaded model with all the bells and whistles that you might not be able to afford had you bought a new car. A new car depreciates quickly in the first few years and after 3 years it is worth only about 60-70% of the original price. In fact, as soon as you leave the dealership, your new vehicle is suddenly worth Rs.20000-40000 less. When purchasing a new car you basically are paying for its fresh "new" aroma and warranty. However, buying a new car does not always mean the buyer will get perfection. A new car may come with problems associated with poor design or manufacturing defects that may have been already repaired during the warranty coverage period if it's a used car. The same is true for all kinds of recalls and campaigns.

Buying a used car is still a bit of a gamble - there is no guarantee that the car is accident-free, has real mileage, and was properly maintained. There may be some hidden problems like a worn out automatic transmission, or engine problems that may not have been obvious when you test-drove the car. So, next you must ask yourself: Will I save money when buying a used car? How do I eliminate the risk of potential problems and is this actually possible to do? Read on to find out more information.
 

STEP BY STEP USED CAR BUYERS GUIDE  used cars in mumbai delhi bangalore & all india

Step 1: Choosing your Car

This is the first and most important step. Do as much research as you can. As the saying goes, don't put the wagon before the horse. In other words, before you decide if you're going to pay cash or get loans for a car, you have to know which exactly is the car you want or need in the first place. Choose the type of car you need, a hatchback, a saloon, a SUV etc. Read reviews, consumer reports, ask colleagues and friends, compare options, gather fuel consumption data on the make and model you're interested in. Try to determine maintenance costs and upkeep, etc.  Your goal should be to narrow your search to one or two models which fit your needs and budget the best. Try to buy a car with your head and not your heart. Do not do the mistake of buying a luxury brand or a big engine sports car just because its in your budget, it will consume more gas, cost more to insure and be much more expensive to maintain in future. Buy a used car thinking about your present and near future requirements and financial health.

 

Step 2: Search for Your Used Car

After you have narrowed your search to one or two models now its the time to hunt for them. Searching for your ideal used car you should try and source the car directly from the sellers and prefer not to go through dealers for the simple reason that dealers would charge you a commission on top of the actual price of the car and also might manipulate facts just to sell you the car. Possible sources which you could tap to search for your used car should include online used car classifieds (like www.indimoto.com) newspaper used car classifieds in your city, pre-owned car sales departments of auto manufacturers, used car fairs often organized by banks and finance companies and through references of friends and family. Many large auto manufacturers such as Honda, Mercedes, Maruti etc have their own used car departments which sell pre owned cars of the brand.

 

Step 3: Pre Deal Checklist

After you have set your eyes on one or two cars its time to go through this checklist to determine the actual value of the car. You need to be sure of all these facts before you sign the papers and do the deal. Also if you find that the car you are negotiating for fails to meet some of the critical parameters you should bargain on the price.

 Checklist

    1. Mechanical Inspection: Show the care to a expert mechanic who knows the model, he will be able to determine the health of the engine, suspension, transmission and also tell if the car has met with any accident/s in the past. Many sellers might hide this fact and sell you a accidental car. Remember thousands of cars meet with accidents every year and most of them end up in the resale market. Also steer clear of flooded cars.

    2. Service History: Make sure you check the service book of the used car you intend to buy. Has the car been regularly serviced at a authorised service station is something you must know. The service book will also tell you what repairs have been carried out in the past including any accident repairs.

   3. Test Drive: Its strange how many people buy used cars without taking a test drive. It is most essential to take a test drive because its only when you drive the car you get to know if you like it, if it runs smooth and if it feels right. Its like buying a shoe without wearing it, would you ever do that. Take the car for a spin around the city and on the highway to get to know if it runs fine. Steer clear of cars which have a notchy transmission, or have axle sound (cluck cluck from the wheel) or pull to one side of the road (suspension problem) or make rattling sounds at high speeds. Also check the electricals, power windows, central locking, brakes, wipers, horn, and the air conditioning while you are on the test drive.

  4. Paperwork: Check the following papers and make sure they are valid and original- RC (Registration Certificate), Insurance Policy, Warranty Booklet and Service Booklet and Pollution Under Check Certificate. Also check if the car is clean and has no pending traffic violation 'challans' which need to be paid.

 

Step 4: Negotiation and Closing the Deal

After you have checked everything about the car its time to sit down across the table with the seller and negotiate the best possible price you can have. First thing is to form a value based price level in your mind which you would be willing to pay for the car, if the price is above that level you need to get it down to that level. While negotiating never show your eagerness to get the deal done this will only make the seller stick to his price sensing your excitement in his car. Make a note of the faults in the car and the expense you will need to make on repairs to bring down the price. In the end its your bargaining power and skill that will get you the best deal. However if the seller does not budge and you think your value for the car is in line with its price then go for it.

Step 5: Post Purchase           find best used cars in india

Once you have verified all the parameters in the checklist and are satisfied with the car of your choice go ahead and put down the money on the table. Make sure that you get the appropriate transfer of registration forms signed from the sellers and get the car registered in your name as soon as possible. For a few days after you have acquired your 'new' used car get familiar with the car, its interiors, driving and performance manners etc. Its is important that you follow the recommended maintenance schedule of the car too and always use genuine spares and consumables for a long trouble free motoring experience.