Press Release Summary: For a keen and knowledgeable buyer, a used car in today's market makes a great deal of sense, you can buy a good used Honda City for the price of a new Santro.
Modern cars are now so reliable that overhauls are almost unheard of, except among taxis. Smaller cars can give up to 200,000 kms of engine life provided they have been cared for, and bigger cars much more. So if you buy with a little care, your new used car will give you many years of trouble free service.
Press Release Body: * First, and most important, check the papers and verify the credentials of the previous owner. If the car has been used for a company or taxi, its mileage may be false and its care minimal. Ensure that the papers are not duplicates, as many stolen cars have such papers. Speak to the previous owners or to the dealer who has been servicing the car. If your seller can't give you this information something may be fishy. Do not part with your money till you are absolutely sure. The registration paper will also tell you if there have been one or more previous owners. If there are more than two, it may be a bit risky.
* Check for accidents. Peer at the left and right fenders from the front and rear to see if the lines and curves are straight. Check that there are no deviations in the fitting of the doors, bonnet and boot. Look for faded paint. Look under the car for welding within the chassis or suspension parts. Also check for rust. It costs little to get your neighbourhood mechanic to also give you an opinion. If it looks suspicious walk away.
* Check the mileage the car has done. The odomoters can sometimes be fiddled with so look for scuffed brake and accelerator pads or worn gear levers to give you clues. Try to get a small car with less than 50,000 Kms on the clock or a larger car with less than 80,000.
* Check the engine. Start the cold engine and check for black smoke out of the exhaust as it accelerates. Also open the oil cap while the engine is running to see if there are any puffs of smoke blowing by the pistons. If there is smoke, the pistons and rings are worn. Don't touch it. A useful trick is to pull out the oil dipstick and rub the oil between your thumb and finger as if you know that some scoundrels put thick oil or even sawdust in the lubes to hide the worn engine. Even if you can't tell the difference it makes you look knowledgeable.
* Check the paint, and tyres. Original paint is a big plus but no car can be unscratched in Indian traffic, so a good repainting is acceptable. Check that the tyres are not worn or retreads. Start life in your new old car with decent tyres, as a new set or a pair is not very expensive so deduct the cost from the buyer price. If the wheel rims are dented it might have been in an accident. New batteries usually last for over two years. If it is new, the owner will have the guarantee card.
* All cars now have AC and power steering and not much value is attached to accessories, so the price of an LX model and VX model are not far apart. If the music system is not working, consider that it must be dead and deduct about Rs. 5000 from the transaction price.
* Test drive the car and check the left and right hand steering, brakes, cornering and handling at speed. Also check for the effectiveness of the AC and listen for rattles.
Even if you like the car, carry a pad and pen and list all the weak points. Put a value to each defect and use these to help in your price negotiations.
Mr. Murad Ali Baig has been one of India's leading columnists and analysts for the past 12 years.
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2025
