If you’re about to buy a new car for your family, and you want to make sure you’re getting an affordable model for the value it’s worth, you’re going to be heading down to the nearest second hand dealership! However, before you agree to buy anything, you’re going to need to double check the reliability of the car model in question.
After all, no matter how you’re going to use the car, whether you’re just going from A to B or you’ve got a lot of traveling to do, a car’s reliability factor should be at the top of your priority list. And when you buy used, you’ve got to go the extra mile to ensure you’re making the right decision! So to help out with that, here are some reliability related pointers to keep in mind when you go car shopping.
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Check on the Brand (and the car’s!) Reputation
First off, check out the brand of the car and their reputation for reliability. Have they often had to recall parts, accessories, or even entire vehicles? Are they known for making family cars? And have you ever owned a car from this brand before? What have your personal experiences been like before now?
Once you’re sure the brand is just fine for your needs, it’s time to look into the car itself. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to investigate a car’s background, origins, and what it’s been through up until the point where you bought it. It’s a good idea to get online, as many car advice websites and even government portals will allow you to tap in a car’s licence and/or registration to find out more about it.
How Does it Handle?
If you’re able to, take the car you plan to purchase for a test drive. Make sure you get comfortable behind the wheel to see how it feels and find out what the handling of the car feels like. Take your time on this test drive to test out the way the car starts, how it feels when you pull to a stop, and what happens when you suddenly brake, and then get out to perform a little roadside inspection.
What are you looking for here? Any visible or tangible signs that the car isn’t performing up to standard. Check out the tyre pressure, and make sure you open up the bonnet to see what’s going on inside. Do you see signs of major wear and tear? Is there a weird smell coming from the engine? How does it feel to the touch? When you’re driving, does the engine sound weird, or louder than it should?
At the same time, check out how the car generally looks. What’s the paint work like? Do you notice any dents or chips or even a crack somewhere? Are there spots on the car where it looks like it’s been repainted? If so, you’ve got some questions to ask the seller when you get back again!
Get a Mechanic’s Opinion
Did you know you can get a mechanic to inspect a second hand car before you buy it? Known as a ‘pre-purchase check’, this is a great way to ensure you’re getting your hands on the right car for you and your family. With a mechanic’s approval, you’ll be far less likely to need the services of a Car Accident Lawyer, and you also won’t waste money on a dealer’s possibly inflated price point!
Of course, if you’re a bit of an expert in cars yourself, you can forgo this inspection and just check around the vehicle yourself. However, it can be easy to miss a detail or two when you’re trying to inspect in a car lot, especially if a sales representative is nearby with some distracting questions for you.
But if you do pay for a pre-sale inspection, be sure to work with a mechanic you trust, and read the terms and conditions of the mechanic check very carefully. They may not look for everything when conducting the check, which can then cost you a lot more in the future. They may even charge extra for specific checks, such as vehicle history, which you won’t know unless you read through the fine print.
Any used car you’re interested in could have a chequered history. Get to know more about the car before you buy it using tips like those above; it’ll save you time, money, and a potential argument with the seller!
