Test drive is an important issue in purchasing a used car. However, the "test drive" of the seller is as important the test drive of an auto as you need to receive as much information as possible about the car and get an idea of its owner.
This will help you not to waste time on dishonest sellers with "broken-painted cars" and find a good option, even with a mileage.
The ideal used car. What does it look like?
If you face the car with the mileage of up to 100,000 kilometers, with the initial warranty from the manufacturer or with an extended one, with the minimum number of previous owners then the car should certainly be taken. Of course, it is very difficult to find such an auto, but it is worth striving for the ideal. At least in order to reduce risk and unplanned costs.
About the documents.
When buying a used car, special attention should be paid to the documents and to an official re-registration of the vehicle. Based on many years of experience, we would not recommend purchasing a car by power of attorney.
Considering the mileage
It might be sad to admit but it is impossible to be 100% sure that the previous owner did not reduce the odometer reading. There are a lot of devices for "correcting" the meter reading on the Internet - and you don't need to be an electrician to do everything quietly.
There is an opinion that you should not pay attention to the cars with a mileage of 200 thousand kilometers or more. It is not completely true. A well-maintained car with a mileage of 200 thousand will be a better choice than a car that has not been taken care of.
No matter whatever the odometer reading shall be, if the seller refuses to go to the service station to check - this is already an alarming indicator.
Where there any accidents?
This is probably the most popular question to the seller. And this is the right question to be asked! Any vehicle that has survived a serious accident (or several accidents) will definitely not serve long for the new owner. But do not confuse a "broken" car with the just a scratched car.
How to detect if the car has undergone a serious accident
Take a close look at the car. First of all, you should pay attention to the glass. The manufacturing date codes should correspond to the marking. Afterwards, you should look at the headlights: in a used car, the headlights had to be equally “aged” (faded), and the mounts should be without any traces of gluing.
If you buy a car by yourself, insist on more detailed and in-depth diagnostics at the service station. The special equipment is required to determine certain types of damages.
Pay attention to the joints between the body parts and the connecting bolts. There should be no gaps of different thicknesses and curvatures. The condition of the doors, hood, trunk and gas tank also show is the car had been in the accident. You should be concerned if opening or closing one of these details makes an effort for you.
Pay attention to the dirt and scratches.
It might sound strange but there should be dirt in the car. The most inaccessible places (even for a professional car wash) are under the hood, near the engine, under the battery panel. The cleanliness and fresh paint tells of a recent straightening.
Let’s look inside the salon
There should be no traces of dismantling, as well as no scratches or chips on the plastic. If you are not sure if the salon was dismantled in order to install an alarm or for serious straightening, you can check the geometry of the body on a computer stand to adjust the camber.
How was the car operated?
Usually buyers forget to ask this question. You should understand that if the previous owner of the car used it as a taxi or worked part-time in the delivery service, or often drove outside the city might be not a good signal.
Pay close attention to the traces of stickers or taxi lanterns, holes on the panel from the installation of a taximeter or walkie-talkie. If the car was used as the delivery vehicle then the passenger seats look like new, which cannot be said for the driver's seat and doors, the steering wheel and pedals are worn out, the manual gear shift gate is quite loose. Poor technical and cosmetic condition of the vehicle may indicate that the car was overused in the past. Usually this kinds of vehicles have already exceeded the usage period.
Where shall I look for an auto with the mileage?
Previously, the most popular option was to buy a used car privately. The advantage of this option is the possibility to bargain with the seller to the desired price. But such disadvantages as doubtful technical condition and possible fraud with the documents may level the potential benefits.
If you buy a used car in the showroom, you get guarantee from the seller. At Good Cars, any vehicle, whether from abroad or from Ukrainian owner undergoes full diagnostics and repairs, if necessary. We carry out a full check of the legal background of the auto. We find out the number of previous car owners, place of production and real mileage.
Buying a used car from Good Cars keeps you out of any possible troubles.