Are you in the market for a secondhand car? You’re not alone, as increasingly more South Africans are looking to pre-owned vehicles as a means to securing affordable, reliable personal transport – without burning a hole in their pockets.
To successfully buy a secondhand vehicle that won’t give you hassles, it’s important to go about this process with knowledge and care. In our comprehensive guide to buying a used vehicle, we will go over what you should be looking for, the questions you should be asking, and how to take advantage of resources such as the AA Certified Pre-Owned Programme to ensure that you are making a wise investment.
Before You Purchase A Pre-Owned Vehicle: Do Your Research
When we say that you need to do your own research, we’re not talking about knowing what colour you prefer, whether you want manual or automatic, or even how many seats you need. While these details are important, what we’re prompting you to do is to check the market-related value, the history of the vehicle you’re interested in, as well as the documentation.
What You Should Check:
- The History – This includes service records, accident history, and previous owners.
- The Documentation – Generally, this means the roadworthy certificate, service history, confirmation of the legal status of the vehicle, and registration papers.
- The Value – Use resources like Cars.co.za or TransUnion to gain an idea of fair market values for the brand or model you are interested in.
- What’s Popular – Look for car models and brands that are renowned for their low maintenance costs and longevity, as they’re clearly popular for a reason.
It’s Time To Get Real
Arguably, this is where the fun begins. Once you’ve worked out how much you are able to afford, including all the running costs such as maintenance, insurance, and fuel, you can set about picking out a few vehicles to look at.
This is where you move from all that poking about online to visiting the cars in person and taking them out for a test drive. It’s a really important step, because this is when you can assess the performance of the engine by listening for any unusual sounds, get a feel for how it handles on the road, how the gears change, check if the brakes stop true and straight, and assess all the features.
Questions You Should Be Asking
It might feel a bit awkward at first, but when you consider how much money you’ll be spending on this purchase, it’s worth setting aside any unease you feel and ask a few straight questions about the vehicle you’re interested in.
A Few Pressing Questions To Ask:
- Does the vehicle have a service history?
- Has the vehicle been involved in any minor or major accidents?
- Are there known problems with the vehicle?
- How many owners has the vehicle had?
- Is there a remaining service plan or warranty?
- Has the vehicle recently passed a roadworthy test?
- Can I look at the vehicle’s registration papers and logbook?
- Is there any outstanding finance on the vehicle?
A Comprehensive Inspection You Can Trust
This can feel a bit overwhelming, and the sad truth is that in spite of your best intentions, you might still make a bad buy. That’s where the AA has stepped in, providing an invaluable service in the form of its AA Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Programme.
Across the country, reputable dealerships have partnered with the AA to allay the concerns that many have when it comes to purchasing a pre-owned car. Essentially, AA Certified pre-owned vehicles have verified histories and have been put through a multi-point, rigorous inspection by qualified technicians.
How It Works:
- Rigorous Checks – The inspection includes a 128-point check on the vehicle, offering a comprehensive assessment of its true condition and revealing any hidden issues.
- Unbiased Report – As an independent organisation, the AA offers objective evaluations.
- Transparent History – The AA verifies the history of a vehicle, including service records, previous ownership, and accident history.
- Expert Opinions – The results from the inspection are compiled into a detailed report which provides you with expert insights into the condition of the vehicle.
- Quality Assurance – Only cars that match the AA’s stringent standards will receive certification, which ensures a baseline of reliability and quality.
- Negotiation Tool – When the inspection has revealed an issue, this information can be used to request the necessary repairs before the purchase or negotiate the price.
Purchasing a used vehicle shouldn’t be a nerve-wracking task, not when you can use this guide and visit dealerships offering AA Certified Pre-Owned vehicles.
If you’re looking for an AA accredited dealership, click here.