Car & Bike Things to Look at when buying a Second Hand Car

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senfunn

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Hey Guys,

Please point out briefly what are the stuffs to look at when buying a second hand Car.

1. Physical Examination (By Look) - Stuffs to Check inside, below into the car.
2. Questions to the Owner.
3. Stuffs to feel/watchout for when on a Test Drive.

This Thread could be general GuideLines.
 
Ask for

Car Manual & Service Book. If no Manual, its better not to buy that car

Music System Manual

Battery & Tyre Warranty Card

Ask for - City/Highway Mileage.

1. RTO Tax Original Receipt: This is now a one-time tax and the original owner should pay it.

2. Registration Book: Check for the state of registration and see if the letters “DRC†appear on it anywhere. DRC means Duplicate Registration Certificate. Is the name spelt correctly? Are the car chassis / engine number matching with the actual? Is the number plate made in accordance with the number on the registration book?

3. Original Insurance: Check whether the insurance is comprehensive or basic third-party and when it will expire. Check that the Chassis and Engine number of the car matches with the Invoice and / or Challan

4. Original Invoice: Take a look at the car’s original invoice. Details like the chassis and engine numbers can be found here.

5. Finance NOC: If you are looking at a financed car, make sure that the NOC is available

6. ASK the seller to sign on transfer forms (Form 29, Form 30, Insurance Form, NOC Form)

7. Insurance Name Transfer certificate

8. Sales Certificate - You should give to the seller actually.

PUC Certificate, If no PUC, Check the smoke level from the exhaust

Duplicate keys. If the duplicate key is not there – most likely it would be with the Finance Company.

JACK, Handle & Tool Kit

Spare Wheel Cover

If spare wheel has wheel locks, ask the Lug key

Ask for Delivery Bill. its a must, as the car might meet accidents. Mention the date, the time and speedometer reading on the Delivery Note

Check Power Windows/Power Mirrors. Proper open and close operation test on each window

Check windscreen spray and vipers.

Check Door/Power Locks.

Check the Battery status.

Check headlights & fog lights - working condition

Car Seats should have no tears, stains, or damage. Try both the front and back seats and keep your eyes peeled for problems. Try out any device that will move, bend, turn, be pushed, or pulled. Do all the seatbelts work?

Check Driver's Seat comfortability & Adjustability.

Check Doors, hoods, trunks, deck lids, and lift gates: Do they all work correctly? Do they seal properly? Does the fit and finish match up between these and the rest of the bodywork?

Check all the fluids are at optimal levels level: transmission, Engine Oil, Coolant, Break oil, Power steering oil and battery water. There should be very little dirt and grime, and not a single sign of fluid leakage of any kind. Take a look at the car head-on from a distance to see if it is leaning to one side or the other.

Check the odometer, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. Do they move and register properly?

Check for Oil Leaks under the engine. Remove the car carbet near Clutch/Brake Pedals and check for any leakage. Never buy a Oil leaking car.

Check lights, Indicators, Battery charging lights, brake lights, interior lights, fog light, door open warning lights and electric accessories are working fine.

Check the Brake System. If it has booster brake, check the Brake Booster. Switch of the engine and Brake repeatedly till the brake Pedal stops at one position. Start the engine while the brake pressed. The brake should release automatically after staring the engine. (If not your booster is faulty and reduce Rs. 10000 from the car value).

Check for Clutch wear. Run the car at high speed and it shoud go faster as much as you accelerate. Try to run the car in 3rd gear, without pressing the clutch and accelerator. it should nor stall or stop. If it has weak clutch, Reduce Rs. 10000

Check the suspension status of the car. Run in the middle of the road and the car should not slope at one side. Run through no-road. If it has bad suspension, Reduce Rs. 20000 from the car value.
 
ibmmainframes said:
Ask for

Car Manual & Service Book. If no Manual, its better not to buy that car

Music System Manual

Battery & Tyre Warranty Card

Ask for - City/Highway Mileage.

1. RTO Tax Original Receipt: This is now a one-time tax and the original owner should pay it.

2. Registration Book: Check for the state of registration and see if the letters “DRC†appear on it anywhere. DRC means Duplicate Registration Certificate. Is the name spelt correctly? Are the car chassis / engine number matching with the actual? Is the number plate made in accordance with the number on the registration book?

3. Original Insurance: Check whether the insurance is comprehensive or basic third-party and when it will expire. Check that the Chassis and Engine number of the car matches with the Invoice and / or Challan

4. Original Invoice: Take a look at the car’s original invoice. Details like the chassis and engine numbers can be found here.

5. Finance NOC: If you are looking at a financed car, make sure that the NOC is available

6. ASK the seller to sign on transfer forms (Form 29, Form 30, Insurance Form, NOC Form)

7. Insurance Name Transfer certificate

8. Sales Certificate - You should give to the seller actually.

PUC Certificate, If no PUC, Check the smoke level from the exhaust

Duplicate keys. If the duplicate key is not there – most likely it would be with the Finance Company.

JACK, Handle & Tool Kit

Spare Wheel Cover

If spare wheel has wheel locks, ask the Lug key

Ask for Delivery Bill. its a must, as the car might meet accidents. Mention the date, the time and speedometer reading on the Delivery Note

Check Power Windows/Power Mirrors. Proper open and close operation test on each window

Check windscreen spray and vipers.

Check Door/Power Locks.

Check the Battery status.

Check headlights & fog lights - working condition

Car Seats should have no tears, stains, or damage. Try both the front and back seats and keep your eyes peeled for problems. Try out any device that will move, bend, turn, be pushed, or pulled. Do all the seatbelts work?

Check Driver's Seat comfortability & Adjustability.

Check Doors, hoods, trunks, deck lids, and lift gates: Do they all work correctly? Do they seal properly? Does the fit and finish match up between these and the rest of the bodywork?

Check all the fluids are at optimal levels level: transmission, Engine Oil, Coolant, Break oil, Power steering oil and battery water. There should be very little dirt and grime, and not a single sign of fluid leakage of any kind. Take a look at the car head-on from a distance to see if it is leaning to one side or the other.

Check the odometer, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. Do they move and register properly?

Check for Oil Leaks under the engine. Remove the car carbet near Clutch/Brake Pedals and check for any leakage. Never buy a Oil leaking car.

Check lights, Indicators, Battery charging lights, brake lights, interior lights, fog light, door open warning lights and electric accessories are working fine.

Check the Brake System. If it has booster brake, check the Brake Booster. Switch of the engine and Brake repeatedly till the brake Pedal stops at one position. Start the engine while the brake pressed. The brake should release automatically after staring the engine. (If not your booster is faulty and reduce Rs. 10000 from the car value).

Check for Clutch wear. Run the car at high speed and it shoud go faster as much as you accelerate. Try to run the car in 3rd gear, without pressing the clutch and accelerator. it should nor stall or stop. If it has weak clutch, Reduce Rs. 10000

Check the suspension status of the car. Run in the middle of the road and the car should not slope at one side. Run through no-road. If it has bad suspension, Reduce Rs. 20000 from the car value.
Click to expand...

very informative post :)
 
senfunn said:
Hey Guys,

Please point out briefly what are the stuffs to look at when buying a second hand Car.

1. Physical Examination (By Look) - Stuffs to Check inside, below into the car.
2. Questions to the Owner.
3. Stuffs to feel/watchout for when on a Test Drive.

This Thread could be general GuideLines.
Click to expand...

Which model of old car you are going to buy?Guide lines given above are very informative.For second hand car these are more then enough.Even if old car satisfy 70% with exception of paper work, deal would be good.
 
ven if old car satisfy 70% with exception of paper work, deal would be good.
Click to expand...

I agree with you.

Here are some more tips:

Its better to avoid a Diesel car which run more than 1,50,000Kms.

Never pay anything extra for the After market fitments like Music System unless you know about the Brands as nobody leaves a JBL 75.4 Amp when selling their cars!!!

Be very careful about Oil Leak/Fuel Leak as it may cost you a Bomp to repair.

If the car crossed 75,000 kms, be prepared to spend atleast Rs. 30,000 on the Car, unless the previous owner changed the Clutch Plates/Brake Shoes/Timing/Alt/Fan Belts/Suspension pushes/Fuel Filters/Decarb and oils.

Some of the reasons why people sells their cars:

1. It met an Accident. Learn or speak to a mechanic to find it how.

2. It may overrun a PIG. stupids, just let me to buy that car!!!

3. Badly maintained/Dead Engine. Wrong Compression/Injector fault. Drive another car of the same Brand/type/engine/age to compare.

4. Oil/Fuel Leak

5. A/C Compressor or Alternator or Brake Booster or ECU or Starter Motor or GearBox or Distributor Pump or TurboCharge or Intercooler or Catalytic Converter or Power Steering Pump/Gear Failed. Bring a Mechanic with you or call your friend who has some good knowledge about car.

If you cant find any of the above reasons, just look the externals & buy the Car.

You can even buy the car if it has problems like Clutch Wear, Weak Suspension, Low Brakes, less A/C Cooling, failed electrical/electronic parts. But reduce the cost from the car value or search for a better alternative.

Check the A/C System & Cooling Condition. If it has bad cooling, check for Bubbles in A/C Hose Pipe. If the Gas is Full, check for leakages. If you can’t find any problem, but bad cooling, there may be a faulty compressor. Don't buy the car unless you are sure that the compressor is not faulty or reduce the car value upto Rs. 20,000

Check the Brake System. If it has booster brake, check the Vacuum Booster. Switch off the engine and Brake repeatedly till the brake Pedal stops/stalls at one position. Start the engine while the brake pressed. You should feel the pedal depress slightly as engine vacuum enters the booster and the brake pedal should release completely. Also Pump the Brake while the engine is running. It should not stall for atleast 5 full pumps, even if the car has no Vacuum Reservoir. (If not your booster is faulty and reduce Rs. 10000 from the car value).

Check for Clutch wear. Run the car at high speed and it should go faster as much as you accelerate. Listen for the engine speed increasing (RPM) but your road speed(KMPH) staying constant. With the car stationary and a clear road in front of you, engage fourth gear and try to set off without stalling the engine, if the car just stalls no matter how much power you put on then the clutch is OK do not try this more than 2 times. If it has weak clutch, Reduce Rs. 10000

Check the suspension status of the car. Run in the middle of the road and the car should not slope at one side. Run through no-road and the car should not jump like a city bus. Push down on top of the wing each side (individually) just once and let go, the vehicle should go down and come back up once and stay put. If the vehicle bounces up and down and appears soft this indicates a faulty shock absorber strut. If it has bad suspensions, reduce Rs. 20000 from the car value.

Check the remaining life for the car tyres. If they are already dead, reduce Rs. 20000 from car value.

And the credit should go to Team-BHP, I just re-compiled some posts with my experience.
 
hey if anyone of ya car freaks live in bangalore can ya help me buy a car...m going most probably for a Accent or Ikon also is lancer(old) difficult to maintain :)
 
ibmmainframes said:
Check for Clutch wear. Run the car at high speed and it should go faster as much as you accelerate. Listen for the engine speed increasing (RPM) but your road speed(KMPH) staying constant. With the car stationary and a clear road in front of you, engage fourth gear and try to set off without stalling the engine, if the car just stalls no matter how much power you put on then the clutch is OK do not try this more than 2 times. If it has weak clutch, Reduce Rs. 10000

Check the suspension status of the car. Run in the middle of the road and the car should not slope at one side. Run through no-road and the car should not jump like a city bus. Push down on top of the wing each side (individually) just once and let go, the vehicle should go down and come back up once and stay put. If the vehicle bounces up and down and appears soft this indicates a faulty shock absorber strut. If it has bad suspensions, reduce Rs. 20000 from the car value.

.
Click to expand...

care to explain both these post in more simple terms anyone???
 
Clutch Slipping? The RPM/Tacho Meter and speedometers should move with respect to each other.

Clutch Judder? any good driver can easily identify this.

Clutch Wear? If you never tried to find a clutch wear, don't try this as it may blown the car fuses. Ask you friend to do it for you.

Faulty Suspension: The car will steer/pull one side and its not flat.

Weak Suspension: Check the tyre wear. If its abnormal, may be a wrong alignment or bad suspension. Push the car up & down near each suspension. the car should immediately stop vibrating, as soon as force is removed. If it takes more than 2 up/downs before settling, there is a problem.

But dont worry. Clutches & Suspensions are consumables.

But dont PAY more for a car which has to be sent to the workshop after the purchase.
 
Very informative posts ibmmainframes.

Listen for the engine speed increasing (RPM) but your road speed(KMPH) staying constant.
Click to expand...

Don't you think this can also happen because of a choked air filter ?
 
I bought a used car(indica dle) a few days back.

checklist ,this is more the way with selecting used Indica's:

1)check for crashes ,putty work

2) Engine whether lacking power ,visibility of oil splashes under the area where the car's parked.

this 2 are enough.get a bargain price ,considering almost sure works needed to with clutch etc sooner or later.
 
Amey said:
Don't you think this can also happen because of a choked air filter ?
Click to expand...

A choked filter would only effect the power from the engine due to a bad air:fuel ratio. The gear box and the engine, will always increase and decrease together, linearly no matter what. The only way this wont happen is if the torque applied on a worn clutch plate is is high enough to make it slip even when fully engaged (ie the clutch pedal is released).
 
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