Here is your Comprehensive Used Car Buying Guide with all Documents, Inspection Checklist from Engine, Suspension, Documents, Wear and Tear Parts required in Used Car Purchase
Buying a Second Hand Car is altogether a different ball game against New Car
Unlike a New Car which is available in
A Used car Purchase involves a
failing which one is inviting a Miserable Buying Call
Remember if you buying a Car from Used Car Dealer there are 2 Big Advantages
However, do note its a Dealer Business to keep his cut - on both buying and selling transaction - ultimately this is his bread and butter - thus Real Price Discovery does not happen.
Also, are cases of Frauds came in where Cars are refurbished with Odometer tampered and sold at much higher price. If you considering a better price Discovery - Its always recommended to Contact direct Owner as seller, for your purchase - and any Genuine Seller will provide you
In Short - You will get in a car at the right price with all documents from the Original Owner of the car. See this Used Elite I20 Asta Option Top Model with Fully Loaded Features, mere 4 Year Old with Complete Service History, 30,000 Kms on Odometer reading available at just rs 4.9 Lakh (at this price in 2020 you will get Wagon R Lxi Basic Model)
The Only Disadvantage would be Extra Work in form of Identifying and finding the Best Car meeting requirement. You may have to do slight a more legwork in finding different cars and meeting owners to check, inspect the best one for you.
Below is an Attempt to Provide a One Stop Guide from Vehicle Inspection to Deal Closure of your Used Car Purchase
Inspecting a Car is not a Rocket Science - provided the basics are correct
There's a Saying - 1+1 = 11 .Its better to have a Friend / Colleague / Family Member Accompany you - in case you miss a part of Inspection - can well be caught by him. (For Easing the Inspection Part - Take a Local Trained Workshop Personnel or your Trusted Mechanic in Cars to get Car Inspected for you on Paid Basis. He will also check on Engine Bay additionally)
The Last 4 Digits in DOT Number series indicate Manufacturing Month and Year. Like in above the last 2 digits are 04 - means Manufacturing Year is 2004 of Tyres, while the initial 2 digits 03 means 3rd Week of the year. Implies this is January 2004 Tyre.
Now Starr car engine and observe any Noise as such.
Also Check by taking Dipstick Out. Ask for any Tissue to clean it and again put Inside. Check Oil Quality in it, Oil Levels (where the Oil should be between 2 Points as Minimum and Maximum). If its of slight black or carbon deposit side then it means that Oil is not good. Do cross check Service History on when the Oil was changed and where it was changed
Take a Test Drive of the Car for say 5 Kms and split in 30-30-40 Rule
Here First 30 means - 1.5 Kms Drive with Windows Open without turning on the Music System to listen to any Noise, Rattling Sounds or Squeach Sounds on applying Brakes, Drive on bad patch roads to check any Noise from Suspension
Next 30 means - 1.5 Kms Drive to Inspect Brakes, Clutch, Pickup, Gear Smoothness, Steering Easeness, Reverse, Car
During last Leg of Test Drive (2 km) - Turn Windows Down, Check AC Cooling, Music System Head Unit, Speakers Sound Level, Car Comfort.
Now After taking test drive. On Halt - twist and take dipstick out, check if any Oil Droplets or Smoke coming from the Dipstick area, Observe for any Fluid Leak
a) Blue Smoke Indicates that Engine Oil is getting burned due to possible Engine Valve Issue, Worn out Piston Ring.
b) White Smoke on start up is Okay, but even if white smoke happening even after driving car for 5 minutes or so indicates that Coolant is getting leaked and getting Mixed with Engine Oil.
c) Black Smoke indicatives EGR Valve and Diesel Injectors been Clogged up
Assess a Price for Used Car basis Condition. Refer - Used Car Valuation Matrix for Indicative Assessment Value and basis car conditions - Average to Excellent - can see Owner Demand as Fair Price or with Possibility of Negotiation.
Ask Owner Politely for Estimated Service Interval and Maintenance Costs and basis his statement ask for Service Bills / History of Vehicle - which serves Dual Purpose :-
» It helps in Preventing as Victim of Odometer Tampering. Service Bills at Authorized Workshop have Kms Mentioned in it. One Can Match it with kms on Odometer.
» Apart from it, is but obvious whether the owner following service schedule and where were the services done - Authorized Workshop or Local Garage
Check in Service History or Ask for replacement or work on Wear and Teat Items. Indicative Life referred in
Smart Card erstwhile known as RC Copy is the most Important Document. ORIGINAL RC COPY is Mandatory document required to be submitted in RTO for effecting Car Sale. Having a Photocopy is not accepted at time of transfer. If Original Owner has Lost RC, insist on him to get New Smart Card Issue before executing Deal.
Additional Formality
- Cars sold in India - comes with Pair of 2 Original Keys. Try on Checking both Keys - If the car open and ignition switch can turn on
- Check on Name of Owner as in RC, Matching Original Copy of ID Proof and Address Proof - if dealing with unknown individual
- Check on All Original Papers - RC, Insurance, PUC and Latest Service Bills
- Do Not Miss to Execute Sale Agreement documented for avoiding any claim
We Strongly Recommended to give highest consideration to
to be given Utmost Consideration for Buying Used Car.
Remember, all Verbatim talks are useless - if not backed by documentation. Do not miss to know Pre Hand
- RTO Forms for Buying Used Car
so that you can check on documents and feel confident of executing the used car transaction at time of deal closure.
Comments 8
Hello Sir, I have got offer from Cars 24 - Ford Eco Sport (Automatic Transmission Variant - 2019 March Month Registered ) used car buying option, which looks excellent condition, dealer says final price 8.60 Lakhs non negotiable !
Showroom Maintained - Service Records Available
Original Paint
No Meter Tempered
Accident Free
Actual Driven : 25K KMS Only
Registered : UP 16
Millage 12-15kms
As of now Vehicle Engine and bodyline is in excellent condition.
Please suggest if this is worth buying as Ford has already left India, however as we all know that service centers are still operational from direct Ford ??
Thanks you,
Mayank Bansal
Mobile 9953244355
Hello Sir, I have got offer from dealer Honda city SMT I i-VTEC used car buying option, which looks excellent condition, dealer says final price 3.25 Lakhs
Showroom maintained
Original paint
Accident free
driven 85K kms
Millage 12-18kms
Excellent bodyline and engine condition
Please suggest if this is worth buying??
Also suggest what additionally i should be looking in to apart from what is posted in your blog.
Thanks you,
Shekar
Mobile 9880999913
Hi sir,
I short listed ritz, wagon r, i10 1.2 kappa, as my last choice, can you help me choose 1 from this? Also give me real life mileage of i10 1.2 kappa & ritz all petrol varients
Thanks in advance
love to drive and have no trouble buying, too, shop for a used car at volgo point b2b classified ads website, find many used cars for sale by owner.
used cars for sale buy owner
Hello Sir,
Could you please guide me to buy a genuine 7 Seater vehicle in Karnataka for family purpose it should be ready to use without any issues, it should also NOT have any accidental case and all documents to be clear from seller's perspective also the meter reading should be correct from the beginning (less used). The main point is the budget in around 2.5 - 3L. No problem if that comes under Non Resale value but the car should be in good condition.
Preferred :-
Mahindra :- NuvoSports ; Xylo; Bolero
Tata:- Sumo Gold ; Aria
Renault : Lodge (Stepway)
Nissan :- Evalia
Sir I checked a beat car found oil throughout from dip stick what indication that if I buy or not
have u found the car u were looking for??????
Good Morning Team..Just sold my chevy beat petrol. Now i am thinking to buy used car for 2 year use,my monthly average running is max 1500km kindly suggest should i buy petrol or diesel car..My budget is 1.5 lac to 2.20 lac. My choices are maruti suzuki swift 2008 to 2012, dezire 2008 to 2010, tata manza diesel, ritz 2009 to 2013, and ford figo diesel. in my city only tata, maruti authorized service centers are available so please suggest....