Buying a car is always surrounded by uncertainty. Despite a test drive and a visual inspection, it is difficult to get an accurate picture of the vehicle during the purchase process. So buying a used car can quickly turn into a nightmare. This guide will help you identify the important points to check to avoid such a situation.
Before buying a car, it is essential to inspect its condition on site. It is not recommended to buy a car without seeing it first. This is often where difficulties start.
To correctly assess the value and condition of a vehicle, it is important to check some general points and others specific to the model in question. This is a key step, as it can avoid catastrophic consequences.
This article helps you identify some key points to check before buying a used car.
Exterior
Bodywork
The bodywork is usually one of the elements that are systematically checked during the purchase of a vehicle. It is particularly important to consider the following points:
Alignment of parts, damage and signs of repair
Rust
Paint condition (scratches, colour differences, dents, etc.)
Glass elements (windscreen and wipers, windows and roof)
Lights (headlights, indicators, etc.)
It is also important to look underneath the vehicle. This is particularly useful to identify:
possible leaks of oil or other fluids (engine, brakes, suspension and transmission)
signs of an accident (bent or repaired parts, etc.)
rust
the general condition of the vehicle (suspension, exhaust, chassis, etc.)
Wheels
Wheels and tyres should also be verified. It is particularly important to ensure that these components, which are central to the safety of a vehicle, are in good condition and homologated. The following points need attention:
Wear (at least 4 mm of tread remaining) and age of tyres (less than 4 years old)
Wheel dimensions
Damage (punctures, cracks, holes, uneven wear, scratches, etc.)
Brakes (pads and discs)
Inspection of the 2nd set of wheels (if available)
Engine
The engine is the heart of the vehicle. Of course, it is no exception and must be checked. The points to be verified vary according to the powertrain. Typically, electric cars are of more simple construction and therefore have fewer mechanical components to check. For an internal combustion engine car, the following items should be looked at:
General condition (cleanliness, oil marks, etc.)
Temperature
Hoses and cables
Battery (corrosion and age)
Smoke and noise
Interior
Seats
The seat is a critical element of a vehicle's interior. It is the part we touch the most. For reasons of safety and comfort, the buyer should check all of them:
General condition (stains, smell, tears, damage, etc.)
Comfort (foam, adjustments, heater and ventilation, massages, noise, etc.)
Safety ( mounts, safety belts, upholstery, ISOFIX, etc.)
Dashboard
The dashboard serves as a means of entertainment but also shows a large amount of information. It is important to ensure that all functions work, but also that there are no signs of defects:
General condition (scratches, damage, dirt, etc.)
Entertainment system (functions, speed, damage, updates, etc.)
Instrument cluster (function, damage, warning lights, mileage, etc.)
Steering wheel (stability, adjustments, control operation, visual condition, etc.)
Other components (functioning, damage, etc.)
AC and heating
Heating and air-conditioning are nowadays part of the basic features of a car. However, it is important to ensure that they work properly, as faults can be costly and frustrating. The following points should be taken into account:
Airflow (smell and power)
Noise
Settings
Boot
The boot is an area prone to damage. The condition of this compartment can give information about how previous owners have cared for the vehicle. Particular attention should be paid to the following:
Increased damage (scratches, dents, etc.)
Moisture and rust
Upper part of the bumper (scratches)
Availability of moving parts (tools, tyre repair kit, breakdown triangle, parcel shelf, etc.)
Closing, opening and locking
Documents
Vehicle documents
The documents are essential to the vehicle and necessary for registration. If the following documents are not available, do not accept the vehicle:
Vehicle registration document and/or inspection report (matching chassis number, listing of modifications, date, etc.)
Homologation documents for modifications (wheels, suspensions, etc.)
Other documents
Most other documents can be ordered from dealers. However, this incurs a financial cost. In addition, the absence of these may raise doubts as to the accuracy of the information on the vehicle. Must be given with the vehicle:
Owner's manual
Service book (paper or digital)
Drive
Powertrain
A car must be able to move smoothly and steadily. However, over the years and with increasing mileage, some components central to the vehicle's propulsion may fail. Similarly, a lack of maintenance can cause premature wear. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure that the powertrain is functioning properly:
Engine (starting, noise, power, temperature, smoke, etc.)
Transmission (gear changes, traction, noise, etc.)
Clutch (noise and wear)
Brakes
Conversely, a car must be able to stop. Brake control is essential to ensure the safety of the vehicle's occupants. The following elements should be taken into account
Brake pedal (sensitivity, vibration, deviation of trajectory, etc.)
ABS
Handbrake
Steering
The steering allows the vehicle to turn. A failure in the steering of a vehicle is a major impediment to passenger safety. The following may indicate a problem:
Vibration
Noise
Sensitivity and stiffness
Deviation of trajectory
Leakage
Suspension
The suspension is not only about comfort, but also about safety. By absorbing shocks from uneven ground, they increase the vehicle's grip. In turn, this improves the car's ability to turn, brake or accelerate. To be taken into account:
Fluid or air leaks
Increased vibration and noise
Lack of shock absorption
Lowering of the vehicle
Operation of air suspensions
Conclusion
This article aims to provide some keys to ensuring the good condition of a used car. However, checklists are of limited help. They explain what to look for, but do not say how to do it. This article is no exception to that rule. Thus, for many, the evaluation of a vehicle remains difficult. Identifying weaknesses and problems specific to the vehicle in question requires research and therefore time.
However, there is a simpler solution to avoid these problems: Carequest Sàrl.
Just tell us what you need, and we'll take care of the rest:
Research
Inspection of the vehicle on site (over 70 control points)
Negotiation of the purchase price and additional services
Service and inspection of the vehicle
Organisation of the trade-in of the old vehicle
Organisation of vehicle financing
Organisation of vehicle insurance
Registration of the vehicle
Delivery
Carequest is the easiest way to your dream car.
Sources - text
https://cms.autoscout24.ch/media/16349/as24_ratgeber_autokauf_fr.pdf
https://content.scout24.ch/cmsfiles/766_503_as24_ratgeber%20autokauf_f.pdf
https://www.allianz.ch/fr/clients-prives/guide/mobilite/occasion.html
https://www.axa.ch/fr/privatkunden/blog/en-deplacement/check-list-vehicule-occasion.html
https://www.bank-now.ch/dam/jcr:497768fa-dac7-43ee-9725-bc2c1575cc28/Checkliste_FR.pdf
https://www.tcs.ch/fr/cours-controles-techniques/controles-vehicules/test-occasion.php
Sources - photos
You may use also this tool: licenseplatelookup.org to get history of any car before making purchase. I found it after lots of research as faxin, carwax etc did not help much.