But have you considered the risk factors involved in purchasing a used car? Yes, there are many risks involved. Therefore, you must go through our used car inspection checklist and prevent yourself from getting fooled.

 

Buying a second-hand car has its own hidden pitfalls. You may not know what the seller is covering up. It may be car damage due to floods or some tampering with the odometer. Or something else. Some buyers even cover up legal issues.

 

However, there’s nothing to worry about. Our secondhand car tips Kerala can help you avoid these costly mistakes. So you can happily drive your car home, the one which is 100% worth your money.

Ready! Let’s go into the details.

1. Used Car Inspection Checklist

It’s essential to ensure that the used vehicle is in good condition before you purchase. That’s why an extensive car history check will help you assess the car’s condition in detail.

 

So, what’s included in the inspection checklist? Let’s see.

1.1 Exterior and Interior Condition

The car’s exterior and interior speak loudly about its condition. 

 

1. Exterior: Check the exterior for dents, scratches, rusted areas or mismatched paint. These observations indicate previous accidents or poor repairs. Also, check the headlights, taillights, indicator and fog lights. Check for any signs of cracks or moisture inside the light coverings.
    

Essentially, check the windshield and windows for chips or cracks. Check the tyres and insist on getting them replaced with new ones, if not in good condition. Check under the car for any leaks or rust signs.
 

1. Interior: Check if the interior is clean. Ensure the seats, upholstery, carpets, and headliners are in good condition. If not, request the seller to replace them with new ones.
   
   Start the car and check whether the dashboard and warning lights. Ensure all components, such as the infotainment system, air conditioning, power windows, and locks, work appropriately.

A strong, unusual, and irritating odor in the car’s interior indicates damage due to flooding. It may also be due to mold. Uncover the facts and take the right decision.  

1.2 Mechanical Inspection

A mechanical inspection helps to ensure the used car’s reliability and safety. Here are a few vital checks:

1. Engine and Fluids: Check for unusual sounds like hissing or knocking after starting the vehicle. Also, check for excessive vibration. Ensure there aren’t any leaks in the engine bay, corrosion or worn-out wires.
   
   Ensure the engine oil, gear oil, and coolant are at the appropriate level. Ensure the engine oil is clean.
    
2. Belts and Hoses: Check under the car’s bonnet for the belts and hoses and ensure they aren’t cracked, frayed or loosened. If you find anything out of order, ask the seller to replace it with a new one.
    
3. Brakes: Check if the brakes respond correctly, with the required play. Ensure no strange noise or vibration occurs while pressing the brakes. Get the brake pads and rotors checked by an expert and replace them with new ones, if required.

 

PROTIP: Take a trusted car mechanic to have a mechanical inspection in detail.

1.3 Test Drive

A test drive helps you evaluate a used car’s performance more effectively. Pay attention to the following:

1. Handling & Comfort: Drive the car at various speeds and on different terrains (not off-road obviously). You get a good clarity on the car’s steering and suspension. Check for unusual vibrations, or the car getting pulled to one side or delayed steering response.
    
2. Acceleration & Braking: The accelerator pressing must be smooth and deliver power immediately. Also, check the brakes and ensure they respond appropriately without any unusual noise.
    
3. Transmission & Performance: Ensure you don’t get any jerk when you shift the gears, in case of a manual transmission vehicle. Also, check that the shift is smooth. Detect any delay and report it to the seller. A clunking or whining noise during gear shift indicates transmission problems, which must be immediately addressed.

2. Car History Check

Checking the car’s history is vital to avoid risks. Let’s understand what you must check.

2.1 Documents to Verify

1. Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC)
2. Vehicle Insurance Policy
3. Vehicle History Report
4. Original Invoice
5. Road Tax Receipt
6. Pollution Under Control (PUC)
7. No Objection Certificate (if the car was financed from a particular bank, that bank has to provide an NOC of all dues are clear)
8. Form 28: No Objection Certificate (for transferring ownership).
9. Form 29: Notice of transfer of ownership.
10. Form 30: Application for transfer of ownership at the RTO
11. Bi-fuel certification (if the car is equipped with CNG or LPG)
12. Owner’s Manual

 

These documents give you details such as previous owners’, vehicle accident and service history.

 

You must also check whether the vehicle carries any existing loans or legal issues. Get information from the Regional Transport Office for any e-challans or criminal cases related to the car you are going to purchase.

3. Second-hand Car Tips for Kerala

Here are a few tips to help you buy your used car without any hassle.

3.1 Choose Trusted Dealers

Always go with trusted dealers. One of the most trusted used car dealer in Trivandrum is XDrive Cars. The team at XDrive Cars understand your requirements in detail and offers you the most suitable vehicle, based on your needs and budget.

 

The dealer offers transparent pricing, good customer service (even after sales). XDrive Cars has a wide range of used vehicles. XDrive Cars inspects these vehicles, repairs for damages and provides a certification for used cars, which makes the purchase secure.

3.2 Local Considerations

Consider the local situations, such as the festive season and off-seasons. Trusted car dealers Kerala offer huge discounts or easy finance options, which makes your car purchase easy.

3.3 Always Negotiate

Negotiation is crucial to get the best value for your money. Before negotiating, you must research the car’s make and model, you wish to purchase. It will help you understand the current pricing trends and give you an idea of what price a particular year-old car can be purchased for.

On this basis, you can negotiate if a seller or dealer offers you an exorbitant price.

 

If you aren’t good at negotiation, identify one member from your family or friends and take them to negotiate on your behalf.

Conclusion

Buying a used car is a smart move. It helps you save a lot of money and yet enjoy the drive. However, buying a used car can lead to distress if you aren’t careful. Therefore, it's essential to go through a used car inspection checklist to get a good value for your car investment.

 

Second-hand car tips Kerala help you have a car history check before making a final move. Checking the interiors, exteriors, mechanical parts, engine, test drives and checking all documents in order is essential. 

 

Get your used car from XDrive Cars, where you will find a wide range of cars of different makes and models. The team at XDrive Cars help you find the most suitable car, based on your requirements and budget. XDrive Cars is available in major Kerala cities, such as Trivandrum, Kollam, ⁠Attingal, ⁠Kottarakkara, ⁠Pathanamthitta, ⁠Punalur, Anchal, ⁠Kottayam, Thiruvalla, ⁠Malappuram, and Kochi.