How to avoid buying a dodgy used car

Buying a dodgy used car may turn a great riding experience into a nightmare. That is the reason why you should know how to avoid the pitfalls of buying used cars for you to get the best value of your investment.

Although asking for help from a mechanic to check the car’s condition may be a good idea, it’s not enough for you to avoid a bad used car. So, make sure to keep these in mind when buying a used car:

Fluid Leaks

When it comes to vehicles, wear and tear isn’t kind, most particularly for those who have suffered from trauma or neglect. Therefore, consider checking for fluid leaks and get evidence that the car didn’t have problems corrected in a timely manner or that the car experienced some critically damaging problems like lack of lubrication or overheating.

Drivability Issues

You might want your hired expert to drive the car you’re considering. Besides being able to check this for noises, the road test could give an individual an opportunity to feel how it handles as well as how responsive it is. Problems with drivability are some of the hardest things to repair and diagnose, so through catching one prior to purchase, you may avoid a hassle down the road.

Noises

Experienced technicians will be able to tell from the sound of the engine whether it’s worthy of your hard-earned money. During a road test, they might detect worn brake pads, worn axle shaft or sound alerting them about worn struts and some suspension issues. While each of these is sort of maintenance items that wouldn’t necessarily be deal-breakers, the detection is essential so you can factor the cost of replacement into your offer.

Big-Money Items

When buying a used car, there will be some components that are deal breakers and these must be checked for integrity. Such might include the transmission, engine, and emissions or exhaust system. You do not really have enough money and the garage does not have enough time to do an in-depth analysis of such major things, yet in conjunction with some things that are actually being checked, an expert technician may arrive at a feel for how great the car is.

Check the History of the Vehicle

A car history report from a reliable organization may alert you to possible odometer fraud. It could also reveal past flood, fire, and accident damage or tell you if a salvage or rebuilt title has been issued for the car. For you to have an access to this information, hire a company that’s known for providing revs check or car history check. More often than not, you can get this report at an affordable price and the entire process may take several minutes only.

Watch Out for Sellers or Ads That Are Too Good to be True

If you are looking for used cars online or on print classifieds and you have noticed that the price of the car seems low when compared to what others are charging or what the value of that model and make is, you might like to consider why you should choose it. This holds true in the process of shopping. If the seller will communicate by email, does something that makes the alarm bells or gets too pushy, you might want to walk away and look for another used car for sale.

Beware of the Curbsiders or Curbers

Curbsiders are unlicensed individuals, retailers or dealers who sell cars with the goal to make profits. Curbers will purchase vehicles and rather than registering them under their own name, they use the same cars for sale with a mark-up. The curbers will pose as the previous owners or tell the potential buyers that they are selling the car for a friend or family member, often playing on the emotions of buyers through telling them a sad story. Curbers could misrepresent the car’s real condition, hide major problems, turn back the car’s odometer, and will usually convince the new buyers to pay in cash for them to avoid paper trails. Curbers end up making profits on cars and avoid paying taxes. They have other cars for sale and typically request that potential buyers should meet them in public places to avoid revealing their personal information and contact details.

Double Check the Car’s Condition

Once you get a chance to check out the car, give both the outside and inside a thorough inspection to ensure it is consistent with the condition that sellers are advertising. Whenever it’s time for a test drive, never rush as it might take up to thirty minutes to gauge accurately how well the car is running. You should not also forget to listen for any strange noises.

Never Pay Before Getting the Car

Do not agree to pay for the car upfront and send money through wire transfer. While small deposits may be a good way to let the sellers know you are serious about buying the car, never hand over the full amount to the seller until the day the car’s ready to go home with you. Once the seller requested a 3^rd party escrow service, check that service to ensure that it is secure and legitimate as the majority of online escrow websites are fraudulent.

Take the Car for Pre-Purchase Inspection

Get a licensed, independent mechanic to give the car a detailed and comprehensive pre-purchase inspection. This professional can help you spot any problem that the car might have and share some details about potential replacements or repairs that could cost you down the road. You may bring the car history check for you to verify that damage was repaired properly.

Buying a used car is a gamble once you go for it without having sufficient knowledge of the car. Have it checked by a qualified mechanic before you close the deal. Through this way, you will be able to reduce the chance of purchasing a dodgy car. You should also prioritize getting revs check to ensure that your chosen used car is of high quality and guaranteed to provide you a great riding experience in the end.

Revs Check can save you buying a dodgy used car