Though buying an old car sounds a convenient task today in the era of internet, the cases of fraudulence are also on the rise. Besides, when we talk of the investor’s money’s worth, it is pertinent to go through a few things which one must not ignore before purchasing a car.
So, here are some guidelines that will make the trying job of buying a car easier and somewhat safer:
1] Car’s worth: It is important to weigh the real worth of the car with its current price (the price which is being offered to you). Sometimes, it really doesn’t make sense to buy a BMW even if it is being sold at near-scrap value. You must have the discretion and technical knowledge to be able to differentiate between a ‘usable’ car and what they call in lay language as a ‘lemon’.
2] Finance: It is important to stay within your budget, though there is a very thin line there which you can toe. Depending on the deal and its benefits, you may bank a bit on borrowed finance. But it will again be naivety on your part to opt for a huge borrowing as that will only make alive the old idiom of ‘biting more than you can chew’. Since the car is an old one, it will come with certain risks as opposed to a brand new car which comes with zero risk. Hence, it is advisable to rely more on one’s personal savings than on an institutional loan.
3] Registration: There are certain legal acts which will work against you if you buy an unregistered car. So, it should be mandatory on your part to check for the documents validating the registration of the car before you put your money on it.
4] Personal inspection: Personal inspection of the vehicle is also very significant and on no account should be neglected. Dependence on photographs should not eclipse the significance of a personal check. At the end of the day, the seller may try to use technology to his advantage and project the photos in such a way which highlight the car’s positive points and hide the flaws.
5] Car’s tires: Sometimes, for a layman, it can be very difficult to figure out the actual age of the car or the real condition of the vehicle just through mere observation. The interiors may be decked up and the exteriors may not give a veritable account of the vehicle if it has been repainted. However, the tires often are the tell-tale parts of a car and usually reveal the true state of it.
6] Inspection in sunlight: It is also essential to carry out a thorough inspection of the car under broad sunlight so that even an iota of a flaw can be detected. In this context, it is also relevant to mention that the buyer must carefully check the car from all angles and sides. For instance, some buyers do not lean down to check whether the car is leaking fuel from underneath or not.