While having a brand new car is an ideal choice, not all of us have that privilege at the time. So the next best choice is considering the secondhand ones. For starters, you have to invest time in looking for car reviews in the Philippines so you know what car mode to look for. Check out this article as well for additional tips and insights while you’re on your car hunt journey.
Insurance can make a big difference.
If the vehicle you’re eyeing does not have insurance anymore, it’s another expense or investment (depending on how you see it) that you need to consider as part of maintaining the car.
This is especially important if you’re already set on buying the vehicle and want to take it out for a spin as soon as possible. If you don’t have car insurance and you got into an accident (we hope not), chances are you’ll spend more than when you just got an insurance policy in the first place.
Research can bring you places.
Aside from researching for the specific car model that’s most likely suitable for your needs, you need to check the documents and history related to the cars that you have recently shortlisted.
Here are the most important documents you have to examine and ask for:
- Certificate of registration (CR)
- Original receipt (OR)
- Notarized deed of sale
- LTO records, especially the bad records, if present
If you can have anyone help you in verifying if the documents are authentic or at least a copy of the authentic file, this will be better.
Aside from the papers, you need to conduct a research on the ideal car models that’s fit for your current needs and preferences. Check out the latest when it comes to market prices and how much you can buy these models if you were to get a secondhand one. Also check out the features, compare, and contrast the models side by side so you can further get an idea what best suits your needs.
Always check the mileage.
If the selling price of a specific unit seems a lot lower than its counterparts that the other sellers are offering you, you may be missing some important details related to the history of the car and how much the previous owner used the vehicle. In this regard, always check for the mileage because it gives you a hint of the frequency of the previous owner’s car usage. Also, a larger mileage means a higher chance that you need to change more than just the current set of tires.
Set a reasonable budget.
Don’t forget to set a budget for post-sale requirements, such as maintenance and repairs. As much as possible, compute the estimated expenses that you will have upon getting the car, after one month of having it, after three months, and so on. By doing this, you can have an overview of how much money you need to set aside once you decide on a secondhand vehicle that you’re going to get.
Don’t solely rely on online resources.
Posts from car selling groups are the most common sources of information. You can get a lot of leads just by browsing the sites for possible cars that may capture your fancy. When browsing, do not just take everything at face level.
While the car looks nice and shiny on the given photos, don’t depend too much on it. Sellers usually want to capture the best angles of the vehicles that they are about to sell, so it’s normal to try to hide the tiniest scratches from view.
If you can consult some experts or highly-experienced people who are into the secondhand car-selling industry, do so. In case there are none, ask questions or even assistance from people who you know are knowledgeable about cars. Ask them to accompany you when the time comes that you need to inspect the car that you’re planning to buy.
If you also know a car mechanic, you may also tag them along during the meetup because they have a vast knowledge and an even broader experience when it comes to checking different car units in the market.
Go for a test drive.
If there’s something that shouldn’t be off your list, this is it. You don’t have to feel shy or hesitant to express your intent to drive the car because, really, you need to get it out for a spin to help you assess if the car model is right for you. After all, it’s different when you’re handling the steering compared to when the seller just tells you how it feels to do so.
Aside from that, subjecting the car to a test drive can help you detect issues that were not stated in the ads. Don’t take the car for a drive for just five minutes because that’s barely enough time to detect the car issues. If possible, take it for a 30-minute drive along most types of roads that you usually have to traverse.
These are some of the signs to look for when doing so:
- Weird car noises
- Burning smell from any part of car
- Any vibration that seems out of place before, during, and after taking the car for a drive
Ask a lot of questions.
Somewhere along the way, your intuition may tell you that something may be wrong. Heed its warning because it most likely tells you something that’s somewhat amiss. May that be a simple red flag or something worse, be on the lookout for warning signs along the way.
Given that premise, be as meticulous as possible when asking your questions. If you’re being nitpicky about asking what you feel is necessary, that’s because you have to. After all, you’ll be shelling out your own money to buy the car–might as well know everything you have to know about the car. If the seller doesn’t take well with this approach, consider this a red flag and move on to other sellers and car models.
Negotiate if you can.
Even if you’re trying to haggle for a lower price, be reasonable and objective about it. You may base the price on the following:
- Currently prevailing secondhand market price
- The price of the brand new unit
- Aspects of the car that need upgrades or fixes
- Missing features
Check for everything.
Have you noticed some missing parts? How about the documents, are the papers complete or are these pages and sections that should be there but aren’t for some reason? Was there an inclusion that was indicated in their initial offer that wasn’t there when you came to see the car for yourself?
List down these things, especially if there are a lot. Let the seller give their side of the story and justify why these things aren’t there in the first place.
Some of the signs that the car may not have a good history may include the list below. Be sure to check for these things.
- Engine block fillers
- Bent or warped parts
- Touch-ups that do not seem to be professionally done
- Paint inconsistencies when it comes to extent of coverage and texture
Keep in mind that even if you see these signs, it doesn’t automatically mean that the car has been used for illegal purposes. However, it’s still best practice to ensure that you thoroughly search for and ask around regarding the details of the car for your peace of mind.
