In Spain, more second-hand cars are sold every year than new ones. Last year, for each copy that just left the factory, 2.3 used cars were sold and cars more than 15 years old accounted for 40% of the operations. According to Carfax, the largest private provider of vehicle records in Spain and Europe, the risk of purchasing a used vehicle with damage increases by 50% when its age is between 9 and 11 years old compared to the age range. vehicles that are between 6 and 8 years old. Therefore, anyone thinking about purchasing a second-hand car is important to make sure that it is in perfect condition. To do this, as the Norauto workshop network explains, you should not make any of the errors indicated below.
You must ensure that the car has a valid driving license and technical data sheet or MOT card. It is highly recommended to request the technical and administrative data of the vehicle from the General Directorate of Traffic, so that you can also know if there is any seizure, bankruptcy procedure or any other burden of an administrative or judicial nature on the car.
It is important to check that the car is in good condition at first glance. Lumps, scratches or other damage can affect its value and even safety. As explained by Norauto, a major blow to the bodywork could have caused some internal problem that was not visually noticeable. Thus, it is advisable to carry out the inspection in good daylight and pay attention to such relevant elements as the sheet metal, tires, bumpers, exhaust outlet, grille or brakes. Nor should we forget the interior: upholstery, coverings, plastics, seat belts, switches and assembly of materials. Of course, you must verify that no indicator lights on the dashboard.
Performing a dynamic test of the vehicle is essential not only to see if you feel comfortable behind the wheel but also to ensure that there are no strange vibrations, striking odors or abnormal noises. It is advisable to verify that the steering wheel turns properly, that the brake works normally, as well as the brake pedal, gear lever or accelerator.
Manufacturers establish a periodic review based on time or kilometers traveled, essential to guarantee the proper functioning of the car. Furthermore, these reviews are mandatory to maintain the warranty established for the car or any of its components. To find out if you have passed them, you can look in the Maintenance Book or request the corresponding invoices. It should be noted that these inspections do not necessarily have to be carried out at the brand's dealership; They can be passed in any other workshop.
Before buying a car, it is important to take into account the expenses it will generate, since as the years go by or the kilometers are added, they will need specific maintenance. For example, depending on the make and model of vehicle, the timing belt is usually changed between 60,000 and 240,000 kilometers or between 5 and 10 years. This usually involves an extra cost that must be taken into account when negotiating the sale price. If the car has a timing chain, this operation is not necessary.
According to Norauto, if the car is purchased from a dealership or other company dedicated to used vehicles, the minimum warranty granted is 1 year (12 months). Of course, there are many companies that extend this warranty. If the vehicle is purchased from a private individual, there are 6 months from when the vehicle is delivered to detect hidden defects or defects, that is, faults that are not visible at first glance.
There are certain essential features. For example, a family may require that all rear seats have Isofix anchors or if there is going to be a lot of driving in the center, the environmental label must be taken into account. If you travel with a lot of luggage, the trunk must be spacious... These are all factors that must be checked in person.
Norauto recommends taking the vehicle to a workshop to analyze the car in detail. There are certain elements that are best checked by professionals, such as the suspension, tires, battery, motor or braking system. In addition, it must be taken into account that thanks to a professional diagnosis machine, electrical faults that the vehicle itself has registered (problems with the airbag, ESP or ABS) that could have been hidden can be detected. This is very important to avoid unpleasant surprises.
