These days buying a new vehicle can be costly. It may also require a lot of planning and thought. Everything needs to be considered, from the budget you have set for your vehicle of choice, to choosing if you should settle for a second-hand vehicle or buy a new one.
Buying a second-hand vehicle would only be the best option if you have a tight budget and are hunting for a vehicle at an affordable price. It would not only be a cost-saving option, but it may come with some advantages too:
- No heartache caused because of depreciation
- Second-hand vehicle market has a bigger variety to choose from
- It is best to invest in a service or maintenance plan
However, when buying a second-hand vehicle, especially if it is a private deal, you need to know what to look out for and what is too good to be true. Think of Facebook Market Place. When an expensive vehicle which you know should be going for R100 000 is now being sold for R50 000, ask yourself these questions:
- Why is the person selling the car?
- Is he selling it for vootstoets?
- How many km is on the speedometer?
- Do all the electronics on the inside such as windows and locks work?
- Will the owner be willing to have the car inspected by a mechanic?
- Does all the lights, radio and wipers work?
Still not convinced? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying a new vehicle and buying a second-hand vehicle.
The pros of a new car:
- Driving it off the floor, you know you are the first owner
- The vehicle will come with a full warranty and service plan from the manufacturer and will require minimal maintenance
- Most new vehicles come with all the latest accessories, engine and onboard technology, fuel efficiency readings, and safety features
The cons:
- Second-hand vehicles are cheaper compared to new vehicles
- From the moment the vehicle is driven off the floor, the value already depreciates (original price drops 20%), whereas used vehicles depreciate at a lower rate
- You may not get the value you are looking for when wanting to resell the new vehicle
The pros of a used car:
- Second-hand vehicles are cheaper than buying new vehicles
- New vehicle vehicles depreciate faster
The cons:
- The full history of the vehicle is never known how reliable it will be
- Cost saved on your vehicle purchase may be needed towards wear and tear, along with maintenance costs. Always investigate the fuel consumption and the price of the vehicle’s parts
- Some vehicles cannot have any extra safety features or other accessories to it
If you have decided to buy a second-hand vehicle rather than a new vehicle, here are 17 valuable tips to look out for when buying a used vehicle privately or through a dealership:
1. Is the vehicle licence valid?
It is important to make sure the licence disk is up to date before purchasing the vehicle.
2. Tyre condition
When it comes to the tyres, it is always a good idea to check if the tread is worn down evenly. When should you worry about red flags? If the tread is worn more on the inside or the outside, this could mean that the wheel alignment of the vehicle is out. If the tread is only worn in certain areas, something might be wrong with the suspension, and lastly, if the tread is worn on both sides of the tyre, it is just a tyre pressure issue.
3. Does the vehicle have any rust?
Bear in mind, if the vehicle of choice has been used for off-roading, rust can be expected, but it should be small brown dots. Bigger rust areas around the back or front windshield can be problematic and money spending waiting to happen.
4. Gaps between bodywork panels
Wide or narrow gaps between the panels could indicate that accident damage was repaired at some point. Always ask if the vehicle was in a collision before, however, not all vehicles have accident damage, but rather a valid answer to the panel being skew such as a hinge not being adjusted correctly.
5. Ask to start the vehicle
It is important to listen closely if the car struggles to start and also keep an eye on the exhaust for smoke. Not only the color, but how much smoke is coming out of the exhaust too.
NOTE: White or pitch-black smoke is a warning! White smoke could mean unburned fuel being released, while blue smoke indicates oil being burnt. Worn out piston rings, valve seals and injectors could be due for a replacement and this can be pricey.
6. Check the turbocharger (if the vehicle has one)
Most SUVs and bakkies have turbochargers to give them that extra torque where needed. When buying second-hand while the car is idling, ask for the bonnet to be opened and look for the place where the turbocharger is and check for any leaks and if any of the parts based around it has oil spots on them. However, if a turbocharger is dry, this could also be a red flag! If the engine bay smells of car wash soap, it could have been washed to cover up a big leak.
7. Oil filler cap
At no point should there be any rust inside the oil filler cap. If there is any rust, this could mean that there was or still could be water in the engine. If you put the cap loosely over on the filler, it is normal for it to rattle while the engine idles, however, if it blows off, this could mean that the exhaust gases are blowing past your piston rings, which is another red flag.
8. Rubber hoses
Rubber hoses in your engine bay should never be very hard or brittle.
9. Radiator cap
When removing the radiator cap, there should be no bubbles and if there are, this could mean that the head gasket is leaking and the gases from the exhaust are blowing into the cooling system.
10. Check the dipstick
Check the oil level as well as the color of the oil. Black oil is nothing to be worried about, but milky oil could point to water being in the engine.
11. Steering wheel
Begin by turning the steering wheel far to the left or to the right, if there is play the rack or pinion may need to be replaced.
12. Turn the engine off
Keep an eye on the radiator fan. If it continues to spin for a good amount of time, this could also indicate that the motor overheated some time in its life and the fan clutch has had its day too.
13. Check underneath the vehicle
It is important to check the vehicle for dripping oil. This could also point to a gasket leak or the motor itself could have been taken out, opened and repaired.
14. Driveshaft inspection
Shake the driveshaft to see if there is any play or a shudder in the universal joints. It is important to also look for any cracks or knocks in the chassis. This points to the previous owner being reckless. Sure, there can be a few bumps or scratches since it is a vehicle used for off-roading. Also, look for any rust or rot in the chassis or floor pan.
15. Mounting points of trailing arms
If the mounting points are corroded, do not by any means purchase that vehicle! If not, you should be good to go, but if you are still concerned after other red flags, ask the owner if they would be willing to take the vehicle to an AA workshop.
16. Test drive
By this time, if you are not satisfied with what is being offered, rather do not go through with the deal. If you are still keen, request a test drive.
17. Last, but not least, the interior
Having an interior that is in a good condition is always what most people want in a second-hand vehicle, but remember, this off-road rig has taken families on many off-road adventures, and not everything will be 100%. Cup holders and door panels may feature a bit of melted, old sweeties, but most of the time, the previous owner always sends the vehicle for deep cleaning before selling it off.
If you have bought a second-hand vehicle at any time in your life or recently, what are the things you looked out for before purchasing it? What would you recommend future buyers look out for and inspect before purchasing their next rig? Let us know in the comments section below.
