Tips for buying a high mileage used car
If you are the prospective buyer of a used car, for all intents and purposes you should treat the exercise with great care. Find the right vehicle, and you could end up with a cut-price motor which ticks all the boxes, representing a bargain. Choose badly, however, and your used car might bring you a world of worry. The risks have been multiplied in recent years with the emergence of techniques to alter the odometer - the device that calculates the distance a car has travelled. In this blog, we will run you through some tips for ensuring you end up with a reliable used car.
Eye up the interior
Whether you buy a car in Dubai, London or New York, have a very close look at the interior of the car you are considering - significant wear and tear can tell its own tale in terms of both how road-worn a car is, and how well the driver has taken care of it.
Don't trust rust
Rust typically shows through the original paint job a car has been given in the form of bubbles, but if a previous owner has attempted to cover up the rust with another paint job, the tell-tale sign could be a slightly different shade over the rusty patches.
Identifying engine problems
You can judge how a car is performing through compression tests which examine if everything is as it should be internally. This is typically done by a mechanic, who records the reading of the gauge in order to examine the consistency of the cylinders.
Is oil being burned by the engine?
It sounds hard to believe, but many negligent car owners forget to top up their oil, with subsequent damage to the engine by the time it makes it into the next owner's hands. You should always check the oil level before arriving at the point of purchase.
Don't forget the clutch
By the same token, it is advisable to check the clutch before walking away with a used vehicle - a worn clutch could end up costing you a lot of money in both parts and labour, so take a look for any signs of wear - or if you are not sure how to, ask a mechanic.
Watch out for smoke
Almost as a rule, smoke is not a good sign. This applies to any which comes out of the exhaust when the car is started. It could be a problem with the fuel system, excessive oil burning that indicates the engine is damaged, or if white smoke is spotted, anti-freeze could be being burned which in many cases is the result of a head gasket failure.
Give it a tire check
You should keep a close eye out for any cracks in the sidewall of the tires on the car you are considering buying, and as a rule of thumb, tires which are over five years old should be replaced to be safe. Looking at the tread blocks, if they appear to be glazed over, this is a sign of uneven wear which should be addressed. If the tire has previously had a puncture repair or similar, it might mean it is more susceptible to further problems in the future.
About the Author
Jack Newton is a Dubai Property Specialist and a serial Used Car Buyer in Dubai. He loves to travel and is an Amateur Photographer photographer. Visit: https://yzermotors.com
Submitted on: 2017-01-27 01:58:16