20 tips for buying a used car

Banger or bargain?

Not everyone has the budget to go out and buy a new car straight from a dealer. Thankfully though, the transient nature of the Oman  means that the used-car market is never lacking.

Buying a used car in any country always carries with it a certain element of risk, and generally the level of risk is relative to your budget.
The trick is to look for the right things to determine whether it’s a banger or a bargain…
Read our list of 20 things to look for when viewing a used car.

1. Does it start? Duh!

It may sound painstakingly obvious, but the first thing you should do when viewing a used car is to make sure it starts.
It should start effortlessly, if it struggles to turn over then there is likely an issue with the battery or starter motor. If it coughs and splutters you have seen all you need to and this car is clearly no good; move on!

2. Is the bodywork damaged?

An occupational hazard with owning a car in the Oman is that after time, thanks to the hot sun, its paintwork will start to fade, particularly those in darker colours.
To check that the paintwork is authentic you should open the bonnet. Underneath, and around the engine bay, you will be able to tell what colour the car originally was.
Also check for scratches and dents. You’re going to be paying a large sum of money for this, and you want to make sure that the car is free of damage. Any small scratches which can be easily touched up could prove useful in bartering the price.
Just because it doesn’t rain much in the Oman doesn’t mean that rust isn’t a problem. Check around the wheel arches and the sills around the windows. Any sign of rust and you should look elsewhere.

3. What are the tyres like?

Tyres tell you more than you think. Obviously you need to ensure that they are legal, in that the depth of the tread is at least 5mm (the legal minimum is 2mm). Any less than this and you will be replacing them before too long. Tyres which are worn too low are dangerous and you risk a blowout if you don’t keep on top of them.
Look for uneven wear on the tread. If the tyres aren’t wearing evenly then that suggests that the wheel alignment is out, or the suspension needs servicing. The latter can be expensive to fix.
As a top tip, make sure that the tyres actually match, as you can tell a lot about a car by the brand of tyres which are on it. If the front two tyres are made by Michelin or Bridgestone for example, then that’s good, but if the rear two tyres are made by some company that you have never heard of, then they are likely cheap and this suggests that the car has been run on a tight budget… So what else has been done on a tiny budget?
It goes without saying that you should check the spare tyre for presence and condition.
Read more about tyers here.

4. Can you see any leaks?

Ask the seller to open the bonnet so that you can check for any signs of leaking oil or fluid. If the engine bay is spotlessly clean then you should be suspicious, as the seller will likely have had it steam cleaned to erase any trace of leaks. A thin micro-film of sand over the engine is what you're looking for; it means that the engine bay hasn't been dressed up to fool.
Start the car and leave it for 10 minutes, any fluid leak will then become obvious.
If you are viewing the car at the seller’s house, scan the driveway or parking space for oil stains on the ground. If not, leave the engine running for 10 minutes and ask the seller to move the car slightly. If it has been dripping oil then you don’t want to buy this car. (Note that it is perfectly normal for puddles of water to form under a running car, this is simply overspill from the air-conditioning).

5. What are the brakes like?

Unless the car you are looking at has big, thin-spoke alloy wheels, there is no way you will be able to check the condition of the brakes. For this you will have to drive the car, with the seller joining you.
If, when braking, the car pulls either left or right, then the brake pads are likely worn more-so on one particular side. Replacing brake pads and brake discs is not an expensive repair, but any pulling in one direction should give you another bargaining tool to get the price down.
If the travel of the pedal is too long then that suggests that there is air in the brake line. While brake bleeding is easy and inexpensive, you would be advised not to take a chance with a car like this as you can never tell just how serious it could be. Ask yourself: how did the air get into the brake line in the first place?

6. Does it have a servicing history?

Sadly there are not many used cars in the Oman that come with a full service history. If possible you should ask to see all receipts from the last year. Any car which doesn’t come with any service history should be avoided at all costs.
If the car has been regularly serviced by its manufacturer then that is a very good sign.
It’s a good idea to subtly ask why the seller is selling the car in the first place.

7. Check the air-conditioning

You won’t last very long without air-conditioning in the Oman, so start the car and let it run for five minutes. With the doors closed you should judge the AC’s cooling power. If it is not cooling to your liking, or indeed if it smells stale or “gassy”, then the compressor is in need of refilling or replacing. Whereas refilling is easy and inexpensive, a replacement compressor can be an expensive repair and is best avoided.

8. How many kilometers has it done?

Cars are far more reliable than they were 20 years ago, and as such cars that have reached 160,000km (about 100,000 miles) still have plenty of life left in them. Be that as it may, you should ideally look to buy a car that has not yet reached 120,000km. The lower the better.
Cars that have completed over 200,000kms are best avoided, as the chances are the engine is wearing out, among other things like bearings, joints, and gearboxes.

9. What's the exhaust like?

When you are looking at a used car it is a smart move to check the exhaust pipe. While you won’t be able to tell what condition the entire system is in, the tailpipe will give you a good idea as to the state of the engine.
If there is a moist black residue around the end of the tailpipe, go no further; this means that the engine is burning oil and is on its way out. Any repairs will be costly and, frankly, uneconomical.
Ask for the engine to be started. Beyond the initial turnover no smoke should be visible. If you spot black smoke then this means that the engine is running “rich” (taking on too much fuel). If you see blue smoke then this means the engine is burning oil. If you spot either of these, walk away!
Note: If you're viewing a diesel-powered car then black smoke is normal.

10. Check the water and oil

Open the bonnet and open both the oil filler cap and water bottle (radiator) cap. The water should be relatively clear or blue (allowing for traces of light dirt), and the oil cap should have plenty of dark brown oil residue on its underside.
If, in either the oil filler hole or water bottle/radiator, you notice a light brown, almost creamy substance, or the water in the radiator is black, then this means that oil and water have mixed together. This tells you that the head gasket has gone, and the engine’s days are numbered. To replace a cylinder head gasket is a Herculean task and will be phenomenally expensive!
Note: Do not remove the radiator cap if the engine is hot.

11. Are there any squeaks or rattles?

Before buying any used car, ask the seller to take you for a short drive around the block. Try to pick a short route where you can legally get up to 120kp/h, as well as one that has tight corners and a set of traffic lights. Listen out for any squeaks and rattles, if you can’t identify what they are then ask the seller. Listen to what they say and that should give you an idea…
Anything that doesn’t sound “normal” is best avoided. And the last thind you need is let an irriating squeak ruin your drive!
Note: Every car has a warning "beep" which sounds when it reaches 120kp/h. Some cars simply beep once or twice once you cross the threshold, others beep continually. There is little more annoying than that! But don't despair, any main dealer will be able to disconnect the "beep".

12. What is the gearbox and clutch like?

The vast majority of cars in the Oman have automatic transmission. Most modern day gearboxes are quite resilient, and so too are their accompanying clutches.
On a short drive with the seller, listen out for any high-revving. Put simply, the sound of the engine should be relative to the speed you are travelling. If the engine is revving too high and you’re only moving at 50kp/h, then the clutch is not long for this world and will prove a costly repair.
Gear changes should be smooth. If there is a notable "clunk" or you feel a violent shudder then the gearbox is not in a good way.

13. Has the cam-belt been changed?

There is one major part of a car that you cannot check when viewing it, and not even a qualified mechanic can tell without taking the side-case off the engine: the cam-belt (also called the timing-belt).
The cam-belt is crucial to the running of the engine, and if it goes – looses a tooth or is frayed and snaps – then the engine will literally blow itself to bits. It is the one component that controls the overall movement of the engine.
It is different for all cars (check the manual), but a general rule of thumb is to have the cam-belt changed at around 130,000kms. Ask the seller if they have had the cam-belt changed; if they haven’t, and the car has done more than 130,000kms, then consider your options. You can have it done yourself soon after. It is not a cheap job, however.

14. Are all the lights working?

It may sound obvious, but when buying a used car it is important to ensure that all the lights are working. Turn the headlights on, and the side lights, and make sure that the high-beams work as well.
Ask the seller to sit in the driver seat and press the brake pedal so that you can check the brake lights. Check the indicators – don’t forget the side indicators on the wing mirrors or front wings.

15. Check all the switches

It is often forgotten to check all the switches when viewing a used car. Pay particular attention to the electric mirror and electric window switches, if fitted. Make sure that the sunroof opens and that the windscreen wipers work.

16. Are the windscreen wipers in good condition?

The fact that the Oman doesn’t get much rain, coupled with the intense heat, means that windscreen wipers are prone to perishing quite quickly. This is not the end of the world.
Always check the condition of the rubber wipers, they should be soft and free of cracks. If they are hard, brittle, or visibly damaged then not to worry, you will have to change them regularly anyway, and they don’t cost very much.
It is also a good idea to test the windscreen washers. Although there may be water in the washer bottle, it is common for the jets on the bonnet to get blocked. If no water is ejected, that could get you a few hundred dirhams off of the price as they are easily unblocked.

17. Check the interior for wear and damage

If you’re buying a used car then you want to get the best you can for your money. The condition of a car’s interior is a good indicator as to how the car has been treated in the past.
If there are stains or cigarette burns on the seats then it is clear that one of the previous owners has not taken much care of it. The same goes for damage to the interior plastics and other materials.
Ensure that the seats adjust correctly and, most importantly, that they lock in place. The same goes for seatbelts, too.

18. Does the radio and CD player work?

There is nothing worse than getting into your new (used) car and discovering that the radio or CD player is broken. How will you cope without being able to listen to Kenny and Daisy? Or how will you listen to Meatloaf's "Bat out of Hell"?!
Always check the audio system and speakers.

19. Avoid modified cars

The Oman  is full of cars that have been modified with lots of after-market parts. You should generally avoid these cars where you can.
Cars that have had their suspension lowered or do not have the original wheels are best avoided. If you read or hear the words “upgraded”, “modified”, or “tuned” then you would be well advised to look elsewhere.
This will cause you problems when it comes to maintenance later on. There is no substitute for a well-maintained, standard car. Besides, do you want to be seen driving a six-wheeled Chevrolet Silverado with spiked Boadacia wheels, a flaming twin upright exhaust, and a skull painted on the bonnet? Probably not...

20. What does the advert say?

We all know never to judge a book by its cover, but more often than not this doesn’t apply to car-buying. A classified advert can tell you a lot about a car.
Classified ads that offer lots of information are worth looking at, and honesty is another good sign. It is not uncommon to read something along the lines of “history of minor mechanical fault, all fixed”, this indicates that you might be dealing with an honest seller and is probably worth a look. The more information, the better.

Adverts that normally say “Expat Owned” or “Leaving Oman ” are generally good leads to follow. And pay attention to the picture as well. If the car appears dusty then clearly the seller hasn’t taken the exercise seriously. You can’t beat a nicely polished set of wheels.
The alternative to buying from a private seller is, of course, buying an approved used-car from a certified dealer. You may pay a little bit more but you will have the added bonus of peace of mind.
Enjoy your car-buying!


Source:GulfNews