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What to look out for when buying a pre-owned car

Singapore — One of the advantages of buying a pre-owned car is that you have the option of buying a ride that may have previously been beyond your budget. And while that makes the pre-owned route a tempting proposition, it’s a good idea to know what to factor in when choosing your semi-new ride.

Singapore — One of the advantages of buying a pre-owned car is that you have the option of buying a ride that may have previously been beyond your budget. And while that makes the pre-owned route a tempting proposition, it’s a good idea to know what to factor in when choosing your semi-new ride.

1 DepreciationCars usually depreciate the most in the first three years, so you incur less depreciation on a pre-owned car. Look at the car’s PARF (Preferential Additional Registration Fee) rebate — the higher it is, the lower the depreciation.

2 Age and mileageA younger pre-owned car is usually a sure bet. But if the owner switches cars that soon, find out why and check that the vehicle is not acting up. As a rule of thumb, cars with lower mileage usually have less wear and tear.

3 Working conditionIf the seller or dealer will not allow you to test-drive the car, walk away. During the drive, check for weird noises or vibrations during engine start and acceleration. Release the steering wheel in a safe place to check the wheel alignment and check that the gears shift smoothly.

4 Body workCheck that the body has no major scratches or dents. If the car has been resprayed, find out why — it could mean that the car was in an accident. The extent of the damage during the accidents can affect the lifespan of key components. Look out for uneven areas as the original paintwork should be smooth to the touch.

5 Maintenance recordAsk for the servicing log and check that the car has been taken for regular sessions. This log should also be able to tell you what repairs, have been done on the car.

6 OwnershipHow many owners have there been before you? If the transfer rate is high, find out why the car keeps changing hands.

7 Modifications Some cars may have had some stock parts upgraded to aftermarket parts. The owner should have gotten the workshop to replace them with original factory equipment, but you can also ask to make sure — unless you want the modified parts.

8 InteriorCheck that there are no scratches, discolouring or tears in the leather seats. Also, try to observe if there are any strange odours in the cabin. If there is too much air freshener, it might be trying to mask something. Check that all switches and knobs work.

9 Engine bayCheck that the engine is clean and that there are no oil leaks. You can also check the transmission fluid and the engine oil, which should be reddish brown and brown respectively.

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