These few basic
car maintenance tips and checklist is given
here for ease of car user and the better performance
of the cars.
Dealer vs Owner decision:
1) Dealer's margin on a new car is basically fixed, but you never
know what he actually paid for the used car he's offering you.
2) It is difficult to bargain with a dealer. An owner may make
a better deal to dispose his vehicle compared to a dealer who
is more interested in getting good commission on top of price.
3) A dealer is expert in selling cars daily. He may be smart in
selling than you are smart in buying. Example: He may manipulate
your deicision by saying 'I've got several people interested in
this car, so make a quick decision" Don't be pressurized.
A similar or better car at a price that is in your budget will
always be worth the wait.
Educating yourself through our free check list and tips and tricks
you search for a car will helpyou avoid marketing ploys and deceptive
owners or dealers. When you go to check a used car in Pakistan,
it is always good idea to go during day time. Still take a flash
light with you and wear clothes that you will not mind getting
dirty.
1) Engine Condition:
Make sure that the mileage
of car is not tempered with. Doing from 15, 000 km or 20, 000
km is considered a good mileage and not over used vehicle. Check
the odometer, if the numbers are out of line the mileage may have
been altered. Checking worn brake pedal and wear marks on the
gear handle indicate that a car that might have done more than
80,000 kilometers. Take a good look at the overall condition.
Make sure that the engine clean, or if there are signs of leaking
oil or other fluids? Keep in mind these conditions and check them
again after taking a test drive. Go down the car and take a note
if it is dripping any thing. Check it again after test drive.
2) Body Condition:
Look for corrosion or rust on body of car specially if the car
has been ued in Karachi. Rust is probably the most damaging thing
of all on cars over six years old. Make sure there is no rust
at the top and rear of the front wings, along the side sills,
below front and rear bumpers and the bottoms of the doors of car.
Some times a car suffering from rust may be filled with plastic
material to conceal the rusty parts.
Take a small magnet with you, it will be attracted to metal but
not to plastic body filler. Similarly try to look for variation
in color because a plastic filling must be covered with new paint.
If you find a denting or patining done, or if seller lets you
know about it, don't forget to check the details of repair including
the receipts and work shop from where it was done. A car that
has been in a collision can be dangerous, especially if its suspension
and/or steering have been damaged. Look under the carpet between
the front and back doors for signs of welding or repair. If possible
have a mechanic put the car up on a lift for inspection and to
check for accident damage.
3) Riding Condition:
Looks are one thing, but never ignore
safety. Never buy a car without test driving it yourself. Take
it on a drive that covers a mixture of conditions i.e. fast motorway
driving, slow urban driving, twisting roads and don't forget to
check reverse. When test driving the car the steering should
be consistent with no tendency to pull either left or right. Keep
an eye on temperature guage if you get a chance for longer drive.
This may indicate any over heating. If the car has a manual gearbox,
check the clutch operates smoothly and all gears engage easily.
Check shock absorbers by putting your weight hard on the bodywork
at the corners and letting go. The car should rebound once just
past the level position, then go back resulting in one and a half
swing. Any more than this indicates the shock absorbers are worn
out.
Check the treads and side walls of all the four tyres of the ca.
There should be more at least 2 mili meter of tread all over the
tyre and the sidewalls should not be cracked or damaged.
4) Interior Condition and accessories:
How a vehicle is equipped also affects
its value. Are the seats upholstered in leather? Is there a CD
player? Is it equipped with air conditioning? Don't hesitate to
test all the lights and signals, inside the car and outside. Same
thing for the wipers, heat and air conditioning, and cigarette
lighter.
5) General Verifications and legal
issues:
Check the engine plate on the car corresponds
with that given on the registration documents and make sure that
it has not been tampered with or changed in any way. Make sure
that the seller is the real owner of car. Match the registration
book with ID card of the seller. It is recomended to go for a
car with single owner.
6) Price judgement:
If the car's asking price is well below market value, find out
why. Most car sellers in Pakistan will not be willing to sell
a car for 5 Lakh that has market price of 6 Lakh. If they are,
there must be some reason. When you pay always request a receipt
that includes all the pertinent information. It is not good to
make a deal at the same time. The excitement or any other factor
may result in bad deal. According to experts, our brain processes
information unintentioanlly and even during sleep. So collect
all your information and go home and review it. Give some time
to your brain to process all information and then call the seller
to make a deal.
Important Questions to ask to seller:
1) Why are you selling the car? Check
if the seller gets nervous with this question.
2) Without letting the owner look in to the mileage meter, ask
him how many mileage are there. If you are first buyer, he might
have forgotten how much mileage he has tempered or simply said
"Ustaad jee ! Mileage thallay kar diyo.... waichnee hai"
3) Was the vehicle ever involved in an accident? Most critical
question. Vehicles that have been in collisions are prone to more
problems.
4) Ask if he is looking to get rid of it quickly. This may help
you in negotiating a better deal or a reason for quick selling
due to any problem.
5) What is the price, and if it is negotiable.
Other useful tips:
1) It is always good deal to buy a one or two years old car that
has been decently used. You may get almost new car in Pakistan
by paying much less than the price of new model available in market.
2) Even a very low honest mileage is not a good deal. A car fairly
used with good maintenance is better than a car that was rarely
used
3) Checking the Engine oil can help you indicate how seriously
and regularly car owner has been maintaining it.
4) Many Rent a car services may advertise a car to be in personal
use by selling it through friends or relatives.
5) Some cars suddenly increasing RPM (more than normal) after
starting may indicate problem in car engine or was heating up
on last ride.
6) According to our research, men can settle at a lower price
compared to women.
7) New cars or some imported cars now in Pakistan are equipped
with air bags. Beware of used air bag fraud. Meaning, an air bag
that was used in accident or just for fun, but it does't work
when its your turn.
8) It is recomended to buy a car from Islamabad if you are sure
it has been used inside Islamabad. This city has better road conditions
compared to any where else in Pakistan. This may help you in not
buying an over heated, or rough road driven car.
9) Many people think digital odometers (that tells mileage of
vehicle) cannot be rolled back. Please know that it is based on
a chip just like your mobile sim. In Pakistan, now it is possible
to re-program it or replace it with a low mileage.
10) Be sure to make deal along with accessories. Once you hand
over token money to buyer, he may start removing accessories claiming
that these were not included.
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