Get the Most Out of Your Second Hand Car Purchase
Buying a car can be very expensive and can be considered one of the largest financial purchases the average person makes. Currently, new car prices average at close to R300 000. Many South Africans choose to buy second hand cars, but it’s important to do a thorough test drive in order to avoid the purchase. getWorth shared a helpful list of things to do and look out for when taking a test drive.
What to check during your test drive
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Ideally do a test-drive in the early morning when the engine is cool. This will allow you to detect if there are any problems when starting the vehicle.
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Visually check: the paintwork, glass and condition of the tyres.
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Look out for exterior and interior damage and check that the wear-and-tear on pedals and steering wheel is consistent with the mileage. On the exterior, check specifically for dents, scratches and rust.
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The vehicle should drive smoothly and have good visibility from all angles when driving. Check the brakes (they shouldn’t be sticky) and that the car should be responsive.
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Make sure when you do the test-drive it is in the conditions you would usually commute in. For example, if the bulk of your travels are done on a freeway, ensure your test includes freeway driving.
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If possible, expose the car to multiple road surfaces. It is important that you get a sense of its handling ability as well as the suspension, which will expose any issues with the shocks.
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Choose an open, clear road and conduct an emergency stop – the car should pull up straight. Any swerving may point to a fault. Also brake lightly when you are traveling around 80 km/h and feel for any shudder or vibration on the brake pedal that can indicate wear on the discs.
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Keep your senses alert during the drive – listen for any unusual engine noise and feel for any shudders in the clutch.
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Also listen to your gut response – pay attention if something about the car doesn’t feel like the right fit for you. Take a trusted friend with you, who can give you some objective advice.
Pro tip: enjoy the benefit of a longer length test drive
getWorth’s view is that a 15-minute test drive isn’t always enough to provide the confidence and comfort one should expect for such a high-value transaction. They developed getSeven, a 7-day / 700km policy that goes well above the CPA protections in that there is no argument about wear-and-tear, it covers more than material defects, it is a no-questions-asked return policy. The goal behind getSeven is to remove any concern about making the wrong car choice under pressure.
Here’s what to love about getSeven
- Seven days of driving is plenty of time to settle into a car as well as relieving some of the concerns of there being issues you didn’t pick up.
- The comfort of knowing you can buy sight unseen, from another city knowing that if it is not what you expected you can return it within seven days.
- You can be sure that if you have made the wrong decision after the test drive, it won’t cause any issues.
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You can also buy a car as a ‘gift’ for someone like a partner, a child or a parent and if they don’t like it they bring it back.
There you have it! You’re just a checklist of tips away from making sure your second hand car purchase is one that brings you many happy miles.