Tips for buying a used car

South Africa’s used car market is booming thanks to, amongst other things, long waiting periods for new cars, and consumers opting to downsize because of the increased cost of living. When investing in a used vehicle there are important risk and insurance factors to consider.

 Tips for buying a used car

1. First, know your budget. When working out your budget, keep in mind car insurance costs as well as the potential maintenance and fuel. Prospective buyers should target their budgeted price range, and research what is available in terms of car manufacturers and models.

Motorhappy has two tools that can help you get a better idea of how much car you can afford:

Affordability Calculator: This tool helps you with pre-approval before you start hunting for your new car.

Finance Calculator: Figure out how much your monthly payment will be.

2. Remember to include mechanical warranty insurance, service plans and maintenance plans in your budget to protect you against out-of-warranty cars and service costs. Browse our website for more information on Extended Warranties, Service Plans and Maintenance Plans through MotorHappy.

3. Once you’ve narrowed down your budget, begin shopping for your previously loved vehicle. Did you know you can access 1000s of used cars for sale through MotorHappy’s website? We can also assist in arranging finance and car insurance for your new vehicle.

4. When you find a vehicle you like, take the car for a test drive, and inspect it thoroughly. A physical inspection of the car you choose is vitally important, as it will tell you what the paperwork does not. Enlist the help of an expert if you have access to one. If not, use this list of things to check when inspecting your prospective vehicle:

• Check the car’s service history against the manufacturer’s maintenance period recommendations.

• Open the bonnet and look for oil leaks below the engine, inspect the electrical wiring in the engine compartment for burnt wires, inspect the radiator for leaks and cracked plastic tubing. Also inspect the radiator fluid. This should be a clear, coloured liquid.

• Check the body for misaligned panels, uneven gaps, or mismatched paint. These are signs of potential accident damage.

• Inspect the tyres. Uneven wear is a sign of unbalanced wheels, misaligned suspension, or worn shock absorbers. If possible, turning the tyres all the way to one side allows you to look at the brake pads. Check or question if these still have an acceptable life.

• Start the engine while listening (and feeling) for any “out of place” noises when starting it up, when it is idling, or when it is revved.

• Look at the wear and tear on the carpet, pedal rubber and gear stick.  These should match the mileage of the car.    

• Test drive it. Not just around the dealership, take it onto a highway as well. Make sure you concentrate on the sounds the engine makes (so turn off the radio), the “feel” of the clutch, whether the basics such as indicators, wipers, radio, air con, hazard warning lights, windows and doors, fuel gauge, odometer, speedometer and seat belts all work properly.

• Get advice from people you know who have the same car your heart (and wallet) is set on.

5. Consider whether it’s a good lifestyle fit. If you have children or an adventurous lifestyle, check that the car fits all your gear such as prams, infant car seats, bikes and more.

6. Conduct research to find out more about the car’s strengths and weaknesses. Look beyond the aesthetics of a car and assess its worth based on safety, comfort, and driveability. Check out the car reviews on our blog.  

7. Use an online calculator to assess the car’s depreciation rate. This will help when deciding between two similarly priced cars, as you might want to opt for the car with a lower rate of depreciation.

8. Shop around! Try other cars in the price/car type range, so that you’re able to compare, and get a good sense of what else is available.