If you thought that buying a new car was difficult in today’s market, buying a used car is a far more daunting a task. With people looking to use their cars for a few years and then switching over to a new model, the number of second-hand cars in the country has increased significantly. This means that there are a lot more options out there for the used car market than there is for the new car segment. Pricing, availability, condition, and age are just some of the factors that go into picking out a used car, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. In order to make the process a little easier,
Here are 14 steps you can use to help you get the best deal on a used car.
1. Create a budget that suits you the most. Since the market is so extensive, you should have no issues in finding a car that perfectly fits into your budget. Your budget should also have a limit so that you know where to draw the line when it comes time to negotiate with the seller.
2. Understand the type of car you want or need. There are usually hundreds of options at a given time in the used car market but that can be lowered by understanding what you want. In terms of best-sellers, India is best known for its hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs. If you can figure out the type of car you want, you can shortlist the number of cars you need to look at instantly.
3. Once you know what type of car you want, you can either look for a specific brand or begin some research about the sellers in your area. If you prefer a specific brand, you can search for that brand only which will also reduce the options you need to look at. If you don’t have any preferred brand, you can simply get online to find the cars being sold around you or look through the newspaper classifieds for any sellers.
4. There are two primary sources of buying a second-hand car – a direct seller and dealerships. While you can find both online or in the classifieds, both sources come with their own advantages and disadvantages. You need to know where you want to buy your car from and understand the benefits you will get from choosing one over the other.
5. Research is a big part of finding the best deal for you as it can help you eliminate any options that don’t match your standards. You can also compare different sellers to see which one is offering the best possible deal.
6. Contact with the seller is another important step in buying a used car because it helps build a relationship with them. More often than not, people choose to call the sellers to find out more information about the car, but some people still would rather email the sellers to get all the details.
7. After all the above-mentioned steps, you need to check out the car personally. This step will give you absolute clarity on what you could be investing in. Check all the components of the car including the engine, wheels, body, interiors, and other visual elements of the car to see that they are as the seller described.
8. Next, you need to take the car out for a test drive to check other components like the transmission, suspension, cooling and heating, electronics, and steering. It can be extremely helpful to take a professional mechanic along so that they can pick up on any faults while the car is in use.
9. Check the car’s documents so that you know a little about its history. You can ask the seller for the car’s history report which will include information such as whether the car was involved in any accidents, how many previous owners were there, and if there were any repairs carried out on the vehicle. Ask for the RC transfer status so that you can work on complete ownership of the car is what you want.
10. Before you can show any interest in the car, you need to consider the total expense for it. Apart from the asking price, you will need to pay for insurance, taxes, and any modifications that you might want. This is where your budget comes in and it should include all expenses that might go into the purchase of the vehicle.
11. The history report of the car is only the beginning of the documentation that you should be looking into when it comes to a used car. Before you can make an offer on it, you should ask for the sales invoice to prove that they are the current owner of the vehicle. You should also have the seller transfer the name on the insurance papers to yours so that further confusion is avoided in the future.
12. While most people don’t believe in it, it is important to have a written agreement for the sale of the car so that there is proper validation of the sale. This agreement should include details about the car’s condition, the registration details, and the price at which the car is about to be sold.
13. Negotiation is one of the most important parts of buying a used car. Whether you’re buying 2nd hand cars in Kolkata or in Mumbai, bargaining with the seller is a part of the process. As mentioned earlier, your budget should have a limit and you should not pass that when negotiating with the seller.
14. When you and the seller have finally come to an agreement for the car, you can finally sign the required documentation, make the payment, and drive away in your newly purchased car.
There you have it, 14 easy to follow steps to get the best possible deal on any used car in India. Used this guide every time you want to invest in a second-hand car and you will find yourself saving money and getting a new car without a lot of difficulties.
