The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Car in 2020

Every Covid 19 Cloud has a silver lining the majority of business units are experiencing tough times traversing the road to retail recovery but the financial infection festooned upon all of us by the Covid 19 pandemic has seen many people facing their own personal financial crisis. We are in all different boats riding the same viral storm.

The fact is that there are so many fabulous opportunities that have come to the fore as commerce faces adverse, adaptive and ever changing trading conditions.

The good news is that this is one of the very best times to be a buyer as there are a host of very well priced offers and discounted deals with massive value added incentives available in the market place.

Finding an automotive solutions provider that can assist and solve a predicament for many motorists is important as they face financial stress related to Covid 19.

Buying trends have changed as many consumers are seriously considering making adjustments to their existing motoring requirement encompassing monthly budget, fuel spend, insurance and radically reducing their payments, in the same process many consumers are rationalizing their current vehicle and opting for something far more affordable.

Here are a few reasons as to why now is a good time to be buying a used car.

?Most dealers have an excellent range and diverse offering of used cars to view, test drive and purchase at their dealerships

?Negotiation is the name of the game and many dealers will not only give you a good deal on the car you are considering but they may be far more willing to sharpen their pencil on the price.

?Sales, special offers, trade assistance, marked down cars and stock clearances are all very much in vogue

?Times are tough so emotionally invested car dealers will be offering top trade-in prices and may throw in a value added product with the deal.

?Fabulous finance offers are available from the majority of dealerships and the prime rate has dropped to 7.5% the lowest lending rate in well over a decade

The new battle field for vehicle sales are all online via platforms, social media and state of the art websites that have made searching for a vehicle so much easier for consumers, user friendly platforms have radically curtailed hours of previously wasted time. A conscientious buyer can refine and define their search detailing price range and region while simultaneously comparing mileage, specification, features and benefits across a selection of vehicles.

Online vehicle sales platforms have made this a reality and very user friendly for buyers as thousands of serious car consumers visit various sites on a weekly basis. The majority of professional people prefer visiting a well vetted site which features approved dealerships on the platform. The additional security is a value added benefit for those who are looking to complement their prospective purchase with a complete peace of mind motoring experience. Our article features some tips on how to select and inspect a used car. Online reviews are important as referrals drive business today, so do some research on the dealership you are visiting. See what other clients have to say about their business, the car they purchased, their after sales service and the overall experience.

Here are a few basics to check and to be mindful of. The basics are sometimes overlooked in the excitement of exploring, driving and admiring the car you have selected. The best place to start when you contemplate buying a car is at the beginning and well before you even think about bargaining.

THE BASICS:

Check the year and model details carefully and ensure they are correct. The asking price should be in line with the retail book value and mileage, however it is equally important to note that a low mileage car which is in pristine condition may be marked up for more money. The trade book allows 10% for low mileage and excellent condition over and above the retail value. Higher mileage vehicles often sell for a lot less based on their accrued wear, tear and distances traveled.

Features and benefits also play a part in retail pricing and a car with a high level of additional specification may be a good few thousand more when compared against one with a lesser specification.

Online sites make it very easy to compare price, mileage, stock availability and specification, so doing some upfront research will ensure that you are acquiring the right car at the right price. If you are considering buying a car privately my best advice to anyone is to check the vehicle over very carefully. Find out if the car is fully paid for and do a full background and integrity check. Horror stories are a dime a dozen when it comes to deals on wheels so be cautious who you choose to do business with.

If you are not an expert take somebody along who is and failing that revert to a testing agency. If you are in any serious doubt prior to any money changing hands, double check or leave it out.

THE BODY WORK:

A bodywork best practice is to check for accident damage, look for dents and scratches, check the windscreen for chips and cracks. Have a look at the headlights for clarity and review the license disc to ensure it is up to date and that it correlates with engine and chassis numbers found on the vehicle. Walk to the back of the car facing the tail lights and look directly down the sides of the car as what appeared very nice from a direct gaze could end up running like a crinkle cut chip, when viewed from the rear. The practice mentioned above could reveal a multitude of repairs and sins as panels packed with body filler from previous repairs become visibly apparent. Make sure the body panels line up and that there are no massive gaps between the bonnet and bumpers as an example of properly aligned body panels.

THE WHEELS:

Tyres and rims best practice is to check the tyre tread depth, while inspecting all the tyres ensuring they are the same make and profile. Look for wheel damage or bubbles. On occasion front or rear tyre sets may vary as makes of tyres and tread patterns may have been discontinued. The condition of the tyres is one of the most important safety tips to adhere to, as your tyres are your running rubber on the motorway. Check alloy rims and steel wheels for rust, damage or dents.

THE INTERIOR:

Interior; look at the trim and inspect for rips and tears as well as the roof lining for sagging and overall interior presentation. Signs of excessive wear on the steering wheel and pedal rubbers are a warning sign, especially on a low mileage car without a service history. When you are inside the car's cabin area, it is also a great time to check the air conditioning and instrumentation ensuring it is all in good operational order and exhibiting no warning lights. Carpets; check the front, rear and boot area, if possible peel back the carpet checking for dampness, stains, holes and odours. Whilst inspecting the boot, check the spare wheel, tools, jack, wheel spanner and lock nuts. All standard accessories must be accounted for.

THE EXTERIOR:

The majority of motor dealers sell their cars with a valid roadworthy. However, it can do no harm to check high and low beams, fog and all brake lights. Check all the indicators and interior illumination while doing this.

DOWN UNDER:

Under the car important areas to check and look at are the engine and diff if applicable. Check for leaks, rust and worn suspension components or chassis damage and have a look at the ball joints, tie rod ends and shock absorbers. When in doubt get an expert to check it out. Local fitments centers can be handy to help one out in this regard.

THE ENGINE:

Before you set off on your test drive check the engine compartment. Does the bonnet open easily? Is the engine plate present and is the supporting frame straight, exhibiting no kinks? Have a look for oil leaks, check the oil, brake and coolant levels, do the bonnet struts work and is the engine area clean? Do a cold start if possible, be on the lookout for excessive smoke while listening for strange noises. Did the car start smoothly and efficiently and is it idling smoothly? Find out when the timing belts were last changed and have a look at all the hoses and belts for wear.

The warm start test is a good time to have a look and check under the oil cap for sludge or milky build up. Be aware of signs of smoking or strange noises coming from the engine. This will safe guard you from leasing a lemon or buying a bad news banger.

THE TEST DRIVE AND ROAD TEST:

A test drive is very important and during this process here are a few tips to get your future mobility and vehicle selection into the right gear. The test drive will steer you in the right direction resulting in a sale or possibly a pass as it will form a lasting impression and perception of the vehicle for you.

Ask yourself if you are happy with the dealership, sales person and the car you have selected. If you have doubts it is a good time to consider slowing the sale down a little, until you are confident you are buying the right car.

Here are a few tests for you to try out on your road trip.

Make sure you are comfortable and well set up behind the wheel before you leave the dealership. Ensure you have the option to do a city or urban drive as well as an open road trip on the highway. These conditions will allow you to try regular and hard acceleration as well as braking tests.

During the city or urban test one should perform a turning circle test and check the front drive shafts as well as testing reversing the car. Put the car through its paces in stop and go conditions and over speed bumps, listen for thuds, squeaks or whines. Feel for undue vibrations, brakes shudders and ensure that the gear shifts are crisp and smooth. Test the clutch. There should be no slipping noted on the release assembly.

The highway test should encompass, revs per minute, top gear or overdrive check, try the cruise control and get a good overall feel for the vehicle. Listen and take note of noises, squeaks, whines and any thuds while downshifting at cruising speed. The test drive is the best time to check the brakes. Does the anti-lock braking system work? Is the anti-lock braking system or are any other warning lights on? Is the car pulling or making excessive noise under hard or regular braking.

Is the car smooth, comfortable, controlled and solid on the road? During and after the test drive ask yourself if the car feels good to drive?

Some great questions to ask your sales person or dealer?

1. Who was the previous owner and how long did they own the car for?

2. Why did they sell or trade the vehicle in?

3. Does everything work or are there any problems with the vehicle that you are aware of ?

4. Ask to see the service records?

5. What was the vehicle used for?

6. Has the vehicle been involved in any accidents?

7. Does the vehicle come with a set of spare keys?

8. Is there a balance of warranty or any service plan still applicable?

9. What does your dealership offer in terms of peace of mind?

10. Has the car had a certified 101 check over and roadworthy?

11. Find out about extended warranties, service plan extensions and guarantees given by the dealer concerned upfront.

12. Find out about the car sales organization you are dealing with and look for third party review both positive and negative and review what other’s had to say about them and how they handled after sales issues.

13. Lastly but very importantly investigate the car sales organizations unique selling proposition and pre-owned car program and the peace of mind and value it offers, please also do not forget to ensure you negotiate a good finance deal and interest rate if you are funding your vehicle.

The author would like to thank you for reading this automotive post and trusts that those looking to buy a great used car will find it of value to them.

?About the Author: Drew Spink is an industry-leading South African Automotive Generalist. He has been the recipient of multiple dealership and sales awards Drew was educated at the South African College School known as SACS. His passion for the automotive industry was ignited whilst still at school. His career was launched when, as a youthful entrepreneur he began buying and selling cars while growing up in the leafy suburb of Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa,

During his career he has held a variety of positions within the industry, ranging from enthusiastic sales professional to senior operational roles, acquiring a vast amount of knowledge and experience along the way. Drew is regarded by his peers as an innovator and thought-leader who can cross pollinate over a diverse range of sales, marketing and automotive areas.

Published by Drew Spink

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