Sell it

11 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE BUYING A USED CAR.

So, you’ve settled that all-important question of whether to buy a new or used car. Buying used can be a great way to get on the road without the hefty price tag of a new vehicle. But, how do you know a pre-owned vehicle is everything it was chalked up to be in the online ad?

The checklist below outlines what to look for when shopping for a used car through a private seller or dealer so you can make the purchase with peace of mind.

What to check before buying a used car:

1. VEHICLE HISTORY
2. RUST OR PAINT DAMAGE
3. FRAME ISSUES
4. UNDER THE HOOD
5. TIRE CONDITION
6. MILEAGE
7. INTERIOR ELECTRONICS
8. UPHOLSTERY
9. TEST DRIVE
10. MECHANIC INSPECTION
11. HELPFUL RESOURCES AND ADVICE ON BUYING A CAR

1. Vehicle history
Get as much information as you can from the current owner and then do your own research. Running the VIN (vehicle identification number) through a paid service like CARFAX will tell you if the car has been in an accident, if there are any liens on it, and if there are any recalls on the model.

2. Rust or paint damage
Take a walk around the car and keep an eye out for any rusty spots or paint chips. Small, localized rust patches aren’t necessarily a deal breaker because they can be fixed fairly easily. If there are places where the metal is totally rusted through, you might want to reconsider the purchase.

3. Frame issues
While you’re walking around the vehicle, you should also look for problems with the frame. Is the car sitting level on the ground? Is there anything hanging from the undercarriage? Pay close attention to the bumpers and look inside the trunk and hood for new bolts or warping that could indicate a recent accident.

4. Under the hood
The engine is the most important part of any vehicle. With the car turned off, pop the hood and visually inspect the engine for: fluid leaks, corrosion and cracked hoses and belts. Check the oil and transmission dipsticks for discolouration — oil should be light brown, transmission fluid should be pink or red.

5. Tire condition
The tire tread should be worn evenly and all four should match. Uneven tread or extra wear on a few of the tires often means poor alignment, which can be a symptom of steering, suspension or frame issues. A poorly aligned car will pull to the right or left when driving.

6. Mileage
The average car will rack up about 20,000 km each year. To figure out if the car you’re looking at has high or low mileage, divide the number on the odometer by the vehicle’s age. A car with high mileage with have more wear and tear on its mechanical components. Find out more about why high mileage matters when buying a used car.

7. Interior electronics
Blasting the radio when your favourite song comes on is one of the little joys of car ownership. Press some buttons and make sure the stereo and the other electronic components in the cockpit are working properly. Turn on the air conditioning and heat as well.

8. Upholstery
Seats and interior fabric can take a beating in a vehicle. Watch out for tears, stains and cracked leather on all the front and back seats — upholstery can be a pricey thing to repair.

9. Test drive
The test drive is probably the most important part of shopping for a used car. Plan your route and put the car through the paces to test its maneuverability, acceleration, braking and suspension. Take it on the highway, if possible, and try parallel parking to get a feel for any blind spots the car might have.

10. Mechanic inspection
If you think you’ve found the used car of your dreams you should take it to a trusted mechanic for an inspection. A mechanic can determine if the vehicle has any underlying issues or areas that might become an issue in the future. It’s not a free service, but it could save you from buying a lemon.

GUESS WHAT! WE CAN TAKE THE STRESS AWAY FROM YOU. LET US GET YOU THE BEST DEAL AS OUR EXPERTS CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH OUR SOPHISTICATED MACHINES.

5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR VEHICLE RESALE VALUE

Selling your old car is often the only way to buy a new one since most of us don’t have that kind of money just waiting around to be spent on a new ride. Naturally, you want to get as much money for your old car as possible to be able to afford a better new vehicle. Here are the 5 most effective ways to increase your car’s resale value.

1. Upgrade The Interior
A prospective car buyer always wants to check out the interior, and the things he sees inside the car will definitely influence his decision to buy. It’s perfectly normal for a car that is over 10 years old to have a slightly worn-out interior, but there are several things you can do to upgrade its look and feel. Something as simple as getting new seat covers in a complementary colour, replacing the floor mats, and installing a newer, visibly modern stereo can instantly increase the resale value of your vehicle.

2. Try To Keep Your Mileage Low
The car’s mileage is another important deciding factor for car buyers. A car can be relatively new and in a good condition visually, but if its odometer is showing a mileage of more than 150,000-200,000 kilometers, you instantly become worried about what’s going on inside. If you plan to sell your car in a few years or even months and your mileage is already high, it makes sense to only drive it when you absolutely have to and use other means of getting where you want whenever possible.

3. Regularly Maintain Your Car
This is a rule that is important not only for your car’s resale value, but also for making sure your car serves you a long time without any issues. For newer cars, you will have your own maintenance schedule specified by the manufacturer. With older cars, it’s important to get them checked once a year or once every 20,000 miles. Replacing the oil and filters are also essential parts of the car maintenance process. Remember to keep maintenance records that you will then be able to show to the prospective buyer.

4. Store Your Car Properly
Your driving style and maintenance schedule are important for selling your car at a good price, but so are the storage condition. The worst scenario, in this case, is keeping your car in the open air. Not only is it prone to a break-in, but is also exposed to all kinds of elements, from sandy winds and hail to the sun hitting it directly and damaging its paint and overall look. Ideally, you should keep your car in a garage, but if that’s not possible, keep it in a car cover and don’t put it directly under a tree since it can be damaged by falling branches and fruit.

5. Clean Your Car Rigorously
As a car owner, you probably clean your car regularly but you probably just wash it with a hose and take out the trash from the interior. When you want to sell your car at the highest price possible, you need to be more thorough than that. You’ll need to use different cleaning products, sponges, and brushes to clean your car even in spots that are hard to reach. You will also need to clean the interior, especially if your seats are stained. Waxing your car is a great way to give it a polished look with relatively little effort.