Several years ago, I got a small inheritance and I decided to use it to get a vehicle. As advised, I took along a mechanic to help me vet the cars so I could choose one and buy.
After spending the whole day combing through several vehicles, we ended up with one the specialist said was the best.
After we paid and left with the vehicle, we realized that the mileage was tweaked to 35,000. The real mileage was almost 300,000km/hr. We ended up spending almost half of the total amount we used in buying the car to fix it.
After fixing it, it also didn’t function for up to 5 months before we started repairing faults again. We later got tired and sold it.
So how can you be like me and get the best value for your money when purchasing your car?
Check The Mileage Or The True Mileage
The mileage of a car would give an idea of how many years a car has been used and if there is supposed to be wear and tear in some parts of the vehicle. It would also help in price negotiations, Hence, the reason why most dealers would tamper with the vehicle’s mileage. The lower the mileage, the more valuable the vehicle is.
How To Know If The Mileage Has Been Tampered With
Inspect manual odometers for physical tampering. There are some important things to be mindful of when checking the odometer for signs of rollback; For example, the numbers should be clear and not faded, there should be no space between the numbers and they should not look crooked.
If you realise that the numbers are misaligned, the readings have likely been altered. Also, check all the dashboard screws and clusters.
Vehicle Gearbox
Apart from the mileage which speaks for the general health of the car, another important part that must not be ignored is the Gear. Without perfectly working gear, you have bought just metals and probably wasted money.
A test drive will help you know if the gear is in good shape and if you are accompanied by a mechanic, he would also be able to do a more detailed inspection for you. Any kind of cranky noise or stiffness should be investigated.
Vehicle Engine
One of the ways to understand the engine of any vehicle is to look for warning signs on the dashboard. The ignition has two notches; the ACC and the second labelled ON. Once the engine is switched to ON, all the lights should come on.
Understand that the light that does not come on is either disconnected or faulty and once the engine starts, it all switches off. Also look out for check engine light, look out for the exhaust smoke, and the sound of the engine. Test driving a short distance will also help you know if there are instant jerks or any other anomalies.
Vehicle Steering
The steering wheel is another part of the vehicle that must be adequately checked before a purchase is made. You must check if the steering rotates smoothly and seamlessly. If it’s hard to direct and you cannot find any leakage in the steering oil compartment, the steering needs to be worked on or replaced.
Another sign you need to notice is when the steering is vibrating when it is speeding. This might also be an indication of faults in the wheel hubs, brake pads, callipers or even an engine problem.
Other Mild Things To Notice
I will not focus much on the braking system, Wheel hubs, tyres etc as these are easier to replace and they are minor flaws if noticed. However, if you are about to pay a premium fee for a vehicle, you must check these things too.
Lastly, check under the car for rusts, this would help you determine if you are buying a mildly used tokunbo or a completely refurbished vehicle you will not enjoy using.