The used car market in Australia has been booming. Buying pre-loved is a great way to get the car of your dreams without a hefty price tag. You can also get surprisingly good used vehicles at incredible prices if you buy them at the right time or from the right agency. Even though the used car market has its perks, there’s always some risk of buying a car that wasn’t maintained properly.
So how do you tell if a car was properly maintained and serviced? There are always some tell-tale signs like the following.
Take a Peek at the Vehicle’s Log Book
The very first thing you should do when buying a used car is check the logbook. This little book includes the service history of the vehicle and can indicate when it was serviced and what services were done during the service.
Grab that log book and carefully scan the details. Ideally, the log book should include specific details about the type of work that was done on the vehicle, and the parts that were replaced, and the log book should have comprehensive service history documents which include services like fluid-dop-ups, oil replacement, filter replacements, or any other repairs that were done during the services.
This list of services done on the car is a good indication of the level of care the car received. You should also check the dates of the services and ensure that the vehicle was serviced at the recommended intervals.
A used car that doesn’t have a log book raises all of the red flags because this usually means that the car wasn’t serviced at its recommended intervals and very little maintenance has been done by the previous owner.
Do a Visual Inspection
The way the vehicle looks tells a lot about how it was used. Take a walk around the car and inspect it for signs of wear.
- Exterior Inspection
Look for scratches on the vehicle doors. Deep scratches can be a bad sign because it will increase the risk of the vehicle rusting.
Bumps and dents are also a sign that the vehicle wasn’t driven carefully. You can also take a peek at the vehicle’s undercarriage.
Mud buildup is a sign that the vehicle was driven off-road. This can be a bad sign since rough terrains tend to weaken the moving components of the car and can affect the wiring.
It is also very important to look for signs of rust since bodywork rusting can be so difficult to restore.
- Interior Inspection
You can also take a peek inside the car. A dirty car with lots of litter lying about is likely poorly maintained. Signs of cracks on the dashboard or steering indicate that the car was parked in the sun for many hours a day and can also mean that the bodywork paint is already damaged despite still looking good.
Inspect the Engine
You should also do a visual inspection of the engine. This can be a good idea even if you have no mechanical background. If the engine is dirty and soiled with oil and grease then the vehicle very likely has some mechanical issues.
You can also look for signs of rewiring since this can indicate electrical problems. While you are in there, check the fluid levels. If all fluid levels are low then the car was very likely neglected. A clean and tidy engine with topped-up fluid levels is a good sign that the car was well-kept.
Get Help Choosing the Right Pre-Loved Car
If you want a secure buy while dipping into the more affordable used car market, consider help from a vehicle buying expert like My Next Car Buying Agency. Our professionals know exactly how to properly inspect a car and can help you find a vehicle that’s been properly serviced and maintained. With our help, you will find a vehicle that is going to serve you well, you can feel secure in your investment.
