Used Car Buying Guides: Buying a Used Car from Private Owner

For some reasons (e.g. due to a limited budget), buying a used car is a more reasonable option than buying a new car. Sometimes, if you doing it smartly and carefully, and with a bit lucky, you may get used car with excellent condition at low prices.

However, always keep in mind that in some cases, the owner sell his car for deceptive reasons he hide from prospective buyers. The car may ever had a road accident, inundated, or many other disasters that make permanent damage to its mechanical component.

If his car insurance policy does not provide coverage for specific damage, some bad owners trying to get rid of his car by selling it to careless buyers. This monkey business give them some extra cash enough to buy a new car but give the buyer a pile of useless metal junk in their garage.

If you have a plan on buying a used car, here are some tips to protect you from deceptive used car dealers.

Check for Moist, Rust, and Dirt

Check whether there is water vapor condenses around cabin lights and outside the car. Open and check every compartment and shelf in the cabin. There you may be find deposits of dirt or even dry mud left in the corners. Also check the bottom of the roof which may be dirty and rusty. Touch and inspect the bottom of chairs with your hands, and feel if there is something moist.

Use Your Nose: Do You Smell Something Fishy (either literally or figuratively)?

Do you smell a strange odor in the car? Check very carefully whether the car had jumped off a bridge into the river, or had been inundated. Both can leave permanent damage on all components in the car. Muddy water can seep into car seats. Very difficult to clean and deodorize it. Also check each corner, lift the carpet and all the parts that are typically difficult to dry. In these parts may be formed sediments and moldy.

Odd Components and Interior

Give extra attention to every detail of components in the cabin. Look for components that odd, inconsistent or mismatch with the overall cabin interior.

Did you see the new, expensive-look carpet was not in accordance with the age of the car? Some components missing or replaced? Why the seat color and material doesn't match the carpet? Some of the components look great but are not fitted neatly, or looks awkward compared to other components. It can be suspected as new components that is placed immediately after the car came from hell.

Car Maintenance Records

The car should be accompanied with complete maintenance records. Also its history of insurance claims, if possible. Some careful car owners even always keep receipts and bills, and any details of maintenance of their car. From there you can have a full insight into the real condition of the car.

Test Drive and Electrical Function Test

Both are common steps that must be done when buying a car, even new. Turn on the car and drive it on the test track. While driving, test all electrical functions, such as headlights, sein lights, cabin lights, central lock, power windows, radio tape, dasboard lights, wipers, and other electrical components. Do repeatedly to make sure all functions work normally.

Find the Help of Your Trusted, Experienced Car Mechanic

To ensure the condition of the car - especially the engine, it is advisable to also ask your trusted auto mechanic or car-expert friends to check it out. Experienced auto mechanic would know how to properly inspect them. It is also important to check whether the car is still within the warranty period. This warranty will be canceled if the car had been damaged unintentionally, although the details of the damage can not be clearly stated.

Do not Take the Risk if Still Doubt

If you still unsure, leave immediately. Remember, thinking to save money with vaguely cheap used car could be a big mistake. It would be much more expensive when you have to repair it repeatedly in the next days. Do not take that risk. Just look for the car that you really have no doubt about the quality.