Seeking Out a Second Hand Car

As we know, every road car has a history. Some have had princely treatment - regular servicing and maintenance - while the not so fortunate ones had to go through rough mishandling and daily abuse.What every second hand car buyer desires is a vehicle with a clean record and a reasonable price tag. What every buyer fears most is used car that might appear roadworthy, but has actually been poorly maintained. Though the initial cost of ownership might be low, the cost of maintaining it may go up to alarming levels.



Unknown to the buyer, that car with the shiny exterior may be in dire need of an overhaul. With your limited mechanical knowledge, how would anyone have known that the engine was on its last breathe? Before signing on the dotted line, it might be more prudent to send your car for a through examination by a mechanic or an authorized expert like the Puspakom.



With so many offers available, looking for a good deal can be mind blogging. Experts suggest that car buyers establish what they want at the beginning - even before looking at a single vehicle. Decide on the type of car you need, preferably the sort that fits your requirements and not just your image. Then, set aside a budget. Make allowances for the unexpected repairs, maintenance and enhancements. Automotive magazines, online car guides and experienced car buyers can help you determine exactly what king of car you need.



Once you are ready, start poring through the classifieds for sales by private owners - this will usually net you the best bargains as you bypass the middle man - the used car dealer. If you find this too tedious, then perhaps you might want to seek the assistance of car dealers. Their connections and experience give them an edge over independent car buyers. Popular cars makes often get swiped up once they hear of it. Although there is a mark up from the buy-in value, it saves you the hassle of searching for a mechanically sound car. On top of that, insurance and financing arrangements are taken care of and sometimes, there is even a one-month guarantee. Similarly, online car portals can aid you in your used car search. Since they have no apparent inventory to clear, they would be more objective in their recommendations.



Whether you go to a private owner, car dealer or an online car searcher, you need to do some investigative research on your own if you want a good deal. Ask for the log book and the maintenance records of the car. These will give you some clues to the overall conditions of the car. If you get a chance to meet the previous owner, you would be able to find out quite a great deal about the car - whether it was taken for granted, how often it was driven and why it is being sold. Sometimes, in order to push sales, car dealers and private car owners may not be completely honest. They withhold certain truths about the car. However, there are other ways to find out about the car.