How to choose a used car for an amateur

How to choose a used car - the nuances of choosing a used car

The market for used cars is growing every year for economic reasons. It gives most people the opportunity to purchase a car at an affordable and reasonable price.

If everything were so simple, at the same time there is a big risk of purchasing a car, into which you will have to invest additional funds unplanned. And sometimes this amount can exceed the cost of the car. How to choose a used car? How to protect your finances and make the right choice of a used car?

Features of car search

Choosing a car is a responsible matter and especially risky if we are talking about a used car. Such a purchase can be compared to a dark horse, which will either pleasantly surprise or disappoint. In order to become a happy car owner, you need to choose and select a car carefully, following certain rules .

Searching for a car begins with determining the amount you plan to spend on the purchase. You will have to take into account that usually you need to add another 25% to the allocated budget.

The difference will include the costs of re-registering the car , registering it, insurance, technical inspection, etc. Also, when buying a used car, minor repairs are likely, so to speak, bringing it “to mind.”

After the financial aspect has been resolved, you can begin your direct search. Offers for the sale of used cars can be found in newspaper advertisements, on specialized websites and in the car markets themselves.

Don't rush into making a choice. There is no need to rush to the first suitable offer. a list of suitable options for yourself ; some of them will disappear by themselves during the first telephone conversation with the seller.

Rules and questions when choosing a car

Asking the right questions to a used car seller will save time. We can say that the choice begins precisely at this stage of negotiations. And, the main thing that should concern you at this moment is the legal purity of the transaction . Therefore, you need to ask the following questions regarding the used car you like:

What does a car's technical passport look like? Does it have any stickers? Their presence can significantly complicate the registration of funds and its re-registration. Usually the stickers indicate that the car has had problems identifying the VIN number in the past. Of course, it could and will be resolved, but it is better to play it safe or prepare in advance for additional costs.
If we are talking about buying an American car, then write down the VIN. With its help, you can obtain additional information from an authorized dealer. This is especially important when buying a used car. Compare the data obtained with the seller’s statements; if they differ, refuse such a dubious option.
How will the car be re-registered? In some cases, car owners sell their car “by proxy”. Such a transaction can be completed, but the seller will remain the legal owner. And if you suddenly want to sell your car, you will have to run after its former owner.
Ask if the car was involved in an accident? The body of a vehicle after a serious rollover accident requires complex repairs, and this is a sufficient reason to sell and a way to save money.
Has the car been repainted? An affirmative answer may indicate attempts to hide rust or major body repairs.
Ask how long the owner has had the car. If the car was resold several times within a short time, this is a reason to doubt your preliminary choice. Cars in good technical condition are often not resold without a good reason.

Choosing a car based on just a phone conversation is unwise. A conversation will only help to discard “dubious” options. And the selected cars will need to be carefully examined during direct viewing.

The more calls made, the better. Thus, an objective idea of the market, prices, and sellers will be formed. It is likely that the car you need will be found.

Vehicle inspection

If you have little experience in such matters, then it is better to take with you a reliable and proven professional who will help assess the technical condition of the machine. You should also take with you:

small flashlight;
compression gauge;
a small magnet for finding putty areas;
pocket mirror;
a set of screwdrivers and open-end wrenches;
spark plug key;
a rag.

Upon inspection, the car must be perfectly clean.

Car body

First of all, carefully inspect the right and left sides of the car, its roof and hood separately. This is done while squatting, at the level of the headlights. There should be no deformation, line or color defects.

All doubtful places can be checked with a magnet; if it does not hold, it means you have encountered putty. It is necessary to carefully examine the entire surface of the car body.

Suspicion may be aroused by various “stickers” that mask defects. These can be plastic thresholds, moldings, trims, etc.

The doors should close with a slight movement the first time and with a characteristic sound. If this is not the case, then there is a violation of the body geometry.

Whether the car has been repainted can be determined by the remaining paint on plastic and rubber body parts. For example, the shade of paint under the seals will be different. Under them you can find the first signs of metal corrosion.

Inspection of the interior

You need to visually check the surface for damage to panels, upholstery, covers, etc. Particular attention should be paid to seat adjustment, especially if it is automatic. The driver's seat must not be deformed , for example, sagging. The back should not dangle.

You need to inspect everything : the steering wheel, wipers, switches, power windows, including additional options (heated seats, heater, mirror adjustment, air conditioning).

Chassis . There should be no play on the steering wheel or wheels that is visible to the naked eye. It is also necessary to inspect the covers of the suspension and steering joints. There should be no cracks on the discs.

If the tires are worn unevenly, this may indicate a violation of the geometry of the body or suspension.

Check the shock absorbers for leaks; the rubber bumpers and boots must be intact. You need to carefully inspect the brake hose mountings and cylinders.

Engine check

A clean engine should be dry and the hoses not cracked. Cleaning with a steamer can be confusing and glossy, so you need to be especially careful to check the unit for oil leaks .

The oil itself should also be examined. If it is fresh and too thick, then it was poured to avert the eyes from serious defects, for example, various wear and low compression.

The engine must be inspected and running . Before it warms up, get into the expansion tank; if there are bubbles there, it means the head gasket is damaged.

Inspect the operating unit; there should be no oil or antifreeze leaks. And his work should not be accompanied by extraneous metallic sounds.

Check the exhaust system - plug the exhaust pipe with a rag, the running engine should stall. Also check the engine temperature on the sensor and the efficiency of the stove.

Test Drive . The car should be tested in various conditions, from parking downhill with the handbrake to hard braking and gear shifting. It is necessary to evaluate not only technical aspects, but also your internal feelings. How comfortable are you driving this particular car?

Before you go to inspect your car, you can watch a useful video on the topic “choosing a used car.” They will help you decide on the basic parameters of your choice.

Nuances of choice

Every car owner probably knows how to choose a car when it comes to buying a brand new car at a car dealership. But if you purchase a used car, you should come to terms with the difficult choice and the fact that there will still be shortcomings .

It is important to simply identify them and estimate the cost of eliminating them. Therefore, when going to auction, read the price tags for the most popular parts of the selected model. Such information will greatly help when bargaining.

And in order to assess the condition of a car with a history as accurately as possible, you need to carry out diagnostics at a service station that you trust. This will help you avoid big troubles and expenses in the future.

The slightest shortcomings should be a reason for you to reduce the price , and do not be shy. Bargain to the last minute, including all possible upcoming expenses in your amount. There is no need to be afraid of offending the seller; he still will not sell the car below the price that is favorable to him. And the money you save will come in handy.

How to buy a used car: procedure

According to statistics, the number of used cars purchased in Russia in 2017 increased by 11%. In 2018, this figure continues to grow. This interest of fellow citizens in the secondary market of the automobile industry is due to the fact that a used car costs much less than a new one. Accordingly, you can buy a more popular model for less money. However, it is necessary to understand that this type of transaction has its pitfalls. In this article we will tell you the procedure for buying a car second-hand.

Content

Step 1. Choose a car

So you've decided to become the owner of a used car. How to buy a used car? The first thing any buyer should do is decide for what purposes the “iron friend” will be used:

hatchback is an ideal car for traveling around the city;
sedan - a car for those who often travel outside the city;
A station wagon is an excellent option for transporting large items in the trunk.

It is also important to consider other characteristics when purchasing, for example, the type of drive. Front-wheel drive cars are considered the most popular today. They are easy to operate and cost significantly less than cars with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive is suitable for those who like high speeds; in addition, RWD makes it possible to control the car during unwanted drifts.

All-wheel drive is ideal for off-road use. All-wheel drive vehicles are considered the most stable on the roads, but they differ greatly in cost.

It is necessary to pay attention to the type of transmission: “mechanical” or “automatic”. Despite the fact that a manual transmission will cost the motorist a little less, it will provide many more advantages, for example, the ability to save fuel. However, automatic transmission is easier to operate and is ideal for the fair half of drivers.

Another important point is engine power. The most powerful engine options allow you to load the car to a greater extent.

Step 2. Looking for options

If you have decided on the characteristics and brand of the car you want to buy second-hand, it’s time to move on to the next stage - searching for possible options. The 21st century has given us an excellent opportunity not to get up at 4 in the morning to go to another city to the car market. At the moment, the selection procedure has been simplified thanks to the World Wide Web. There are many websites that offer a huge selection of used cars:

In addition, there are a huge number of forums where car enthusiasts discuss brands of certain cars. You can also read reviews about “iron horses” on review sites, highlighting for yourself all the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen model. Have you chosen a decent option from private hands that suits your financial capabilities? Now we move on to the next stage - calling the seller and checking the vehicle.

Step 3. Check your auto history

Checking the auto history of a car from private hands before purchasing is an extremely important action, by doing which you can weed out unworthy used options. The procedure at this stage is as follows: call the seller and request the car’s VIN and state number. As a rule, the owners of “iron horses”, whose history is clean, willingly dictate this data to buyers. You have received the VIN and license plate number from the owner, then go to the Autocode website. With this service you will learn:

information about road accidents in which a used car was involved;
actual mileage;
facts of encumbrance (traffic police restrictions, pledges, leasing, search);
number of owners;
information about working in a taxi;
information about MTPL;
other data of interest.

A unique feature of the service is checking Japanese cars by license plate number. Cars from Japan do not have a VIN, so most services are not able to provide information on them.

Step 4. Communicate with the seller

A telephone conversation with the seller is the next step when buying a car from private hands. There is a possibility that it will not be the owner who will be communicating with you, but a dealer or a small car dealership that buys and sells used cars. It is better to discard the option with an intermediary immediately, since in most cases resellers buy a used vehicle very cheaply, but sell it for an amount that it is not really worth.

It is better to conduct a conversation with the owner of a used car in a positive way. This way, a person will be more inclined to tell a detailed story about his “iron friend.” What questions should you ask the owner:

What is the mileage on the car?
Have there been any accidents, what were the consequences?
Number of actual owners?
Are there any encumbrances on the car?
Has the vehicle been serviced by an official dealer?

If the owner reports that the car is undamaged and there have been no accidents, but a check through the Autocode service says otherwise, then you can gently hint that you know this information. There are two possible outcomes here: either the owner will hang up or will be inclined to lower the price.

Carefully ask the seller about what investments will be required if you decide to buy a used car. Most sellers try to hide the need for major car repairs, but chances are that you will be able to find out the truth about how much finance you will need to invest in a used car after purchase.

Step 5. Checking the technical condition

If you decide to buy a used car, then you should understand that checking the technical condition is the most important stage. The amount that you then invest in your “iron horse” depends on it. It is important to prepare for the vehicle inspection.

When inspecting a used car from the owner, you must follow the following procedure:

inspect the vehicle from all sides;
ask the owner to show the shortcomings that were discussed during the telephone conversation;
ask to start the car, monitor the color of the exhaust;
pay attention to tire wear.

It is important to check for signs of corrosion. Next, check the thickness of the paint coating. Don't be afraid to ask the seller anything you're interested in. Find out why the car was painted and whether the doors, hood and other elements were replaced.

Step 6. Agree on the price

For most people who want to buy a used car, the fundamental factor for making a positive decision is the price. Bargaining with the seller before buying is not only possible, but also necessary. After all, both the buyer and the owner of the used car are interested in this transaction. The goal of the first is to buy as cheaply as possible, the goal of the second is to sell as expensive as possible.

In order for the bargain to be successful, when talking about the price of a used car, focus on the following points:

the presence of malfunctions that will require repairs after purchase;
external defects such as the absence of a manufacturer's badge, a wiper, etc.;
internal defects, for example, dirty interior, defects in upholstery, etc.

Remember that even the owner of a used car does not have a second set of keys can be a reason to reduce the price when purchasing. In addition, check with the vehicle owner whether the price includes a winter set of tires, speakers and other nice extras.

Step 7. Prepare the documents

If you are satisfied with the price of the vehicle and you decide to buy a used car, you can safely proceed to the paperwork. However, we recommend that you carefully check the car again through the Autocode service before purchasing. It is better to refuse the deal if:

there are encumbrances on the vehicle;
at least one of the vehicle numbers (state, VIN or body) does not match the numbers indicated in the report.

If you want to find out the maximum truth about a car, use the “Autocode” on-site inspection services. The technician will come to the location you specify in the application and check the vehicle using special instruments.

Today, the procedure for preparing documents for a car purchased from private hands has become much simpler than it was 10 years ago. Now the seller and the buyer only need to enter into a purchase and sale agreement. Next, the new owner receives all the documents, and enters the following data into the PTS: full name, vehicle transfer address, date of sale, document confirming ownership, and signatures of both parties. Next, you have 10 days to register the purchased used car with the traffic police and issue an MTPL policy. Also, the traffic police must fill in the missing columns in the PTS.

Step 8. What to do after buying a car

The purchase of the car has taken place, and you have become the happy owner of the coveted “iron horse”. Now you need to perform several procedures available at any car service:

change oil;
drain the brake fluid and fill with new one;
change antifreeze;
balance the wheels;
change the timing belt;
replace air filters.

If the purchased car has been in operation for more than 7 years, it will not be superfluous to replace the crankshaft and gearbox seals. These procedures will require certain expenses from you (from 10 to 25 thousand rubles). However, it is worth considering that by carrying out a number of the above measures, you will use the purchased car longer.

In addition, within 10 days, do not forget to register the car with the traffic police, if necessary, apply for compulsory motor liability insurance and undergo a technical inspection. Read more about this in our special article.

Six tips for choosing a used car from an ad

1. Compose your search query wisely

In order not to waste time and effort, you need to determine as accurately as possible what you actually need to purchase and how much money you have for the purchase.

There’s no point in being overwhelmed by the many “similar” options offered. If you need a sedan, then choose only a sedan. If you need a manual transmission, put “manual transmission only” in your search conditions. Ideally, of course, by the time you make your request, you need to clearly understand what make and model of car you are planning to buy. We need a Renault Logan, which means we look at a Renault Logan, and not a bunch of Clio Symbol, Sandero and Polo Sedan. Keep in mind that even the most “wonderful” used car will require some costs after purchase.

Whatever one may say, in the first month you will have to fork out at least for every little thing like new wipers, anthers, bushings, nuts, new tires, polishing, dry cleaning, and possibly something more serious. Therefore, it is better to set aside 10-15% of the amount planned for purchasing a car and not spend every last penny. Just in case, which, as practice shows, happens regularly with used cars.

2. Eliminate the cheapest and most expensive options.

The cost of a car is the most abstract value in an ad, since a person always wants to buy cheaper and sell for more. In most cases, the price tag does not reflect the actual cost of the car, but the desire of the seller. Therefore, it is worth determining the average cost from the proposed options and focusing on ads whose range differs from it within 20%. Overly cheap offers for a car with the same characteristics raise strong suspicions. And expensive ones in most cases demonstrate that their demands are unjustified.

How to choose a used car: a checklist for an amateur?

“Cursed be the day when I sat behind the wheel of this vacuum cleaner.” You don’t want similar thoughts to arise in your head after some period of time of owning a used car. Then let's figure out how to choose the right used car and not get burned.

From our article you will learn how to choose the right used car for an amateur and an experienced owner. What to look for when choosing a used car.

Below is a series of tips that even an amateur can use to identify problems in a used car.

Based on materials from the website Krutilka-spidometra.ru - an original device for winding a speedometer from the manufacturer with delivery throughout Moscow and Russia.

How to choose a used car: what to look at and what to touch?

Of course, first of all you need to start the inspection by checking the documents. Moreover, the car must be shown to the buyer by its owner (feel free to ask him for some document and check it with the data in the PTS), or by his authorized representative (acting on the basis of a power of attorney, ideally).

After checking the documents, experts recommend doing everything in the sequence presented below.

Inspection of the appearance of a used car

Important points when inspecting the appearance of a vehicle:

It should be carried out during the day, in good weather.
The car must be clean (if it is dirty, ask the seller to wash the body AT HIS EXPENSE).
It would be a good idea to stock up on a thickness gauge or at least a magnet.

IMPORTANT. When dealing with the question of how to choose the right used car, it is important to understand that the body of a used car cannot be perfect.

Even on a one-year-old car, it is quite normal to have small chips and operational scratches: there is no escape from the small stones from which they appear. Moreover, if you see that the paintwork of an “old” car is perfectly smooth, without the slightest damage, this is a reason for a more detailed check. Most likely, she was wearing makeup (for what reason - this remains to be seen).

Carry out an external inspection of a used car in the following sequence:

Look at the car from different angles at different distances to catch the color mismatches that often appear when painting individual elements. After all, it is almost impossible to achieve 100% color accuracy.
Examine the gaps. At the same time, you shouldn’t be too picky if there are minor deviations in the gaps between the plastic elements (bumpers, etc.) and the body. After all, these are consumables, and plastic changes properties over time, and even becomes slightly deformed, fasteners sag, etc. Particular attention to the gaps of doors, hood, trunk lid (and it’s worth remembering that “Chinese” and domestic cars even have them from the factory can “walk”)
Inspect the glass markings. They must have the same production date (and, of course, no later than the production date of the machine). If this information on the glasses does not match, it means they have changed. But for what reason is the question.
Move 5-10 meters away from the car and look carefully at the headlights. If they are different (different degrees of turbidity), a substitution may have occurred. Also study the markings on the optics and their mounting.
Open the hood and inspect all bolts and screws. If they are not of the same type, have worn-off (crushed) edges, or worn-out paint (if the fasteners are painted at the factory), this indicates that one or another part has been removed.
Inspect the engine and other components under the hood. If they are perfectly clean, perhaps the seller washed the engine compartment on purpose to hide some mistakes. There should be dust and dirt here (within reason, of course), but at the same time, elements stained with oil “I don’t want to” and other technical fluids, smudges on them - this is not good.
Carefully examine the trunk - the condition of the surfaces under the trim. There should be no accordion creases or other problems here. If they are present, the car may have been hit in the rear. IMPORTANT. A hit to the rear leads to more serious body problems than a hit to the front. Indeed, in this case, the position of the rear axle may be disrupted, which is very difficult to fix without slipways (and not all “dealers” have them).
In the same way, inspect the bottom of the car interior (bend the carpet as far as possible without disassembling the interior).

To check the thickness of the paintwork, use a thickness gauge you have stored in advance. If it is not there, a “clumsy” check can be carried out using a magnet. When the force of its adhesion to the surface of the body part weakens, one can judge that putty was not spared on it.

How to choose a used car: checking technical condition

IMPORTANT. If you are an amateur when it comes to choosing a car, it is better to entrust this to professionals. Because Each model has its own nuances, which are simply impossible for a beginner to know.

Of course, you can watch and evaluate something yourself. What? Information below.

Suspension and chassis

Without inspection on the lift you can:

Determine whether the car’s shock absorbers are “live”. To do this, try rocking the body (up and down). If everything is in order with these components, the vibrations will be damped and there will be no swing. If, for example, when you press the hood and release it, you see that the car is oscillating like a pendulum, the “martyrs” will need to be replaced.
Identify knocks in the suspension and steering elements. This will require a test drive at low speed on a rough road. Also, during the test ride, you can determine the hum of the wheel bearing, the crunch of CV joints (in corners).
Determine the condition of the support bearings of the struts. This can be done by placing your fingers on them and rocking the car in a vertical plane. If there is any play, these elements will soon be asked for replacement (if they are not already asked for).

Want to know more about suspension and chassis? GOU for the lift.

Engine and related systems (elements)

When considering the problem of how to choose the right used car, you need to understand that special attention should be paid to the engine and gearbox. After all, you don’t need a perfect body and a perfectly working suspension if the car doesn’t drive...

So, when studying the engine of a car you like, a beginner should pay attention to the following points:

Presence of oil leaks on the engine. We look at the contact areas of the valve cover, cylinder head, pan, filter, etc.
Extraneous sounds. Metallic grinding, knocking, whistling - all these are signs that something is wrong with the internal combustion engine. And the reasons for this can be very different.
Problems starting the engine. If it doesn't start the first time, or you have to turn the starter for a long time, this is a cause for concern.

But it’s very easy to hide all this. I washed the engine, filled it with a special compound that will temporarily eliminate extraneous sounds, and voila. So, it wouldn’t hurt to check the car using a car scanner (even a simple one, like ELM). By the way, with the help of such equipment it is possible to detect the fact of mileage rewinding.

A crunch when switching a manual transmission, noticeable jolts when changing gears in a car with an automatic transmission - all this is also a reason for a detailed check. Also look into the coolant reservoir, if there is some kind of cloudy “slurry” in it, or there are traces of scale, the engine may have previously overheated.

Electrics

When checking electrical components, pay attention to electrical connections (connectors, etc.) and wiring harnesses. The abundance of electrical tape, twisting and other “collective farm” is a reason for a thorough check of the car.

See how the lights on the instrument panel light up when you turn on the ignition. If there are problems with the relevant systems, they are often extinguished. Moreover, many do this simply by pulling the corresponding fuse out of the block (though this does not work with all cars).

Of course, the above describes only a small part of the nuances that need to be studied before choosing a used car. But this, one might say, is the basis from which one starts when inspecting the car. By carefully studying it, you can at least feel confident and show the seller that you won’t be fooled just like that. And if it is clear that at first glance everything is in order with the car, you can carry out a more in-depth inspection. And this should be done at a service station, with the help of professionals.

How to choose a used car? Instructions for those who do not want to run into junk cars

Even with a new car, quite a few problems can arise, and there’s no need to talk about used ones. But we have put together a list of recommendations for you that should help you when choosing a car on the secondary market.

Photo: from open sources

Often we don’t have enough money to buy a new car, and if we do, we want a model that’s even better and more comfortable than we can afford. In these situations, the secondary car market comes to the rescue, where you can find a car for any budget. This solution allows you to switch from buying a new Grant in favor of a five-year-old Focus or, for example, an older premium German.

But there is one problem: among used copies it is not so easy to find a decent option . In this article we will figure out how to properly approach the purchase of a used car and what you need to pay attention to when choosing it.

Weed out the unnecessary

Since you are interested in buying a car, you probably already have one or more favorites that you are ready to consider. Despite this, we want to give one piece of advice: do not choose a car based on appearance alone . Subsequently, a beautiful car can disappoint with a stiff suspension or, for example, unexpectedly high repair costs.

For those who do not have a goal to stand out on the road, it is better to buy more mass-produced models. At a minimum, they are easier and cheaper to repair.

You also need to decide on the price. We believe that the cheaper a used car is, the more of the available amount should be set aside for maintenance and repairs. As practice shows, almost any used vehicle requires investment when purchasing .

You can read more about how to choose the right car by following the link. This instruction was created for novice drivers, but will be useful to everyone without exception.

If financial investments in a used car cannot be avoided, then you need to try to reduce them to a minimum. To do this, when searching for a car on ad sites, adhere to the following principles.

Don't call on ads that don't have photos of the car. Sometimes even from the picture you can understand that the car has been repainted;
If there are few photographs, they are of poor quality, blurry, or show the car only in parts - this is also a reason to think;
Don't consider the cheapest and most expensive options. A price that is too low should be alarming, but a price that is too high is often unjustified;
A typical, short or completely absent description of the car may mean that the car is being sold by a reseller. This should be alarming;
Ask simple questions over the phone - even those that are answered in the ad (what year of manufacture, how many owners there were, etc.). The outbid will probably respond with a delay and not always correctly;
Check the car by VIN on the traffic police website. There you can find out the registration history of the vehicle, whether it was involved in an accident, whether it is wanted and whether restrictions are imposed on it;
There are also paid services , for example, the Autocode portal, and on Avto.ru you can also find out what mileage was indicated for the car in previous advertisements.

What mileage is considered normal for a used car?

We should also talk about the mileage of the car. Many people are interested in the question of what mileage is better to buy a used car, but there is no clear answer to it. Of course, the lower the mileage, the better. But you need to understand that too low a reading on the odometer is not always a good thing . For example, a conventional 2015 Hyundai Solaris with a mileage of 10,000 km almost certainly worked in a taxi and actually covered hundreds of thousands of kilometers, after which the car was put in order and, as usual, its mileage was increased.

In the same way, imported used cars should be wary. Often these are emergency specimens that were imported to Russia and restored to normal condition. For example, a diesel Mercedes-Benz E-Class imported from Germany was most likely used in a taxi.

In different regions of Russia, the average annual mileage of a car can vary greatly, since in some places there are long hauls, and in others people mainly drive short distances. But during normal operation, the car travels at least 10,000 kilometers per year - that’s about 27 kilometers per day, which, you see, is quite a bit.

Therefore, you should be wary if the 2010 car you like shows only 25,000 kilometers on the odometer. And vice versa - there is no need to be afraid of a car with mileage exceeding any psychological threshold (100 thousand, 200 thousand km). The main thing is how it was looked after and how reliable a particular internal combustion engine model is.

How then to choose a used car?

When choosing, you need to be guided by indirect signs, one of which is the already mentioned correlation between the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the mileage indicated on the dashboard. But it is a mistake to be guided by only one parameter . Once you have chosen a car and come to inspect it, pay attention to the following before purchasing.

Steering wheel condition. If you get into a nice-looking car with a very attractive mileage, but its steering wheel is worn almost to holes, it is almost certainly a veteran car that has seen hundreds of thousands of kilometers of roads, which has been brought into salable condition;
The gear lever should also not look as if it had been specially skinned;
The same goes for the seat, especially the driver's seat. If it is softer than the others and is more pressed in, it means that it has been sat in a lot. And it’s unlikely that the car was left unstarted all this time.

Check the pads on the racks. They should not stand crookedly or hold up poorly.

It is important to understand that there is nothing terrible about the abrasions themselves. They just help determine the real condition of the car if the seller suddenly decides to cheat. On the other hand, the impeccable condition of the interior also does not provide a complete guarantee, because you can put covers on the steering wheel and seats, and pads on the pedals.

What to look for when buying a used car

Therefore, it is necessary to consider not only the insides, but also the exterior of the vehicle. Yes, after an accident, a car can be restored to its original appearance, but in most cases, here and there you will see “greetings” from bodybuilders.

Too uneven gaps between body elements indicate that the car has been repaired. And, most likely, after a minor accident.

Glasses with different markings and from different manufacturers indicate that they have been changed. Possibly after an accident, although the windshield is often reinstalled if stones hit it. Therefore, there is no need to be paranoid in this case.

Check the paintwork at the joints of parts and under the rubber bands. Sagging, different shagreen, overlapping paint, traces of adhesive tape and putty are reasons to abandon the car.

Inspect the sealant along the edges of the doors, hood and trunk lid. If the part has been painted, this can be clearly visible on the sealant. Either it will be completely absent - completely or in parts.

Inspect the body weld areas under the door seals. Factory spot welding occurs at regular intervals and should not be interrupted.

Burnt (black) welding obviously indicates interference in the body structure, which means that such a car is not worth buying.

Inspect the various fastening loops. There should be no signs of paint damage on or around the nuts.

Where is the safest place to buy a car?

Unfortunately, there is no single formula for success in this matter. A good used car can be purchased either secondhand or at a car dealership. It is recommended for the amateur to involve acquaintances or professionals who are really knowledgeable in this matter when choosing a car.

However, now on the Internet you can find many videos of cars being dismantled and inspected for damage and other nuances that signal that they are trying to sell you something that is not at all what it really is.

At the same time, you need to understand that the presence of any one jamb does not mean that this car cannot be bought. Firstly, situations are different, and if you find a bumper of a different color, the car was not necessarily involved in a serious accident. Perhaps the front end was repainted after a minor scratch or light impact that did not cause serious consequences for the car.

It is important to be able to determine the pros and cons of a particular instance, and, weighing the pros and cons, make a decision about its purchase. If there are too many mistakes and their elimination is too expensive , the car was obviously involved in a major accident, or the seller is outright lying to you - feel free to leave and look for a more worthy option.

Which model should you choose?

Of course, each of us has preferences regarding cars, but deciding to buy a specific model is not so easy. Used vehicle sales statistics can help in this matter. The rating allows us to understand the preferences of Russians and roughly determine why we choose this or that car.