Buying a used car specifically in Pakistan saves your money as on average, used cars prices are much lower than the new cars so it can be a smart move financially. However, it can be a stressful job in terms of evaluating the actual condition of the car which at times is not revealed by the seller.

Below are some tips and tricks that outlines the actions you should take practically while buying a second-hand car to minimize the risk of fraud.

1. Engine:

A car engine is considered the heart of a car so let’s start with the engine to check for oil levels, head gasket condition, or any hidden leakage.

Actions:

Start the engine for a few minutes when it is in an absolutely cold state. Check the Engine oil condition by removing the dipstick it must be golden brown or reddish-brown. The complete black color of an engine oil indicates that the engine has not been serviced for a long time. Open the Engine oil filler cap. If there’s creamy sludge then it’s an indication that the head gasket is probably damaged and requires a major repair. The head gasket is a thin part that lies between the lower and upper parts of the engine and prevents coolant or engine oil from entering the engine’s cylinders. It’s important to check the gasket as a blown or damaged gasket can cause a variety of problems from a smoky exhaust, loss of power, or a rough sounding engine through to total engine failure. Check rubber hoses belts and radiator to confirm that it is not in bad condition, damaged or broken or leaking. The coolant tells a lot about engine condition, dirty brown color in an overflow container indicates an issue like a blown gasket or cracked cylinder head. Coolant is usually green, pink, or yellow while gearbox and power steering fluid is reddish-brown. Gearbox fluid is quite thick, while power steering fluid is thinner. Check smoke, blue color indicates the car is burning engine oil which means that somehow oil is getting into the cylinders. It could indicate a blown head gasket or problems with the internal engine seals. Dark black oil indicates burning fuel. White smoke indicates leakage in the combustion chamber. Put a finger in the exhaust and if there’s greasy grime this indicates a deeper problem with the engine. Stay clear and away. Don’t forget to check underneath and all around the engine for signs of an oil leak or any other leakage while viewing the car.

2. Gear Box and Clutch:

A minor Checking the gearbox and clutch are linked with what you feel rather than what you see. The gears must be changed easily and smoothly. Any sort of resistance or grinding noise indicates a problem.

Actions:

In a manual car, know the biting point of the clutch which means the point of the clutch pedal where the car starts moving while releasing the pedal. Preferably, this point should be around the middle of the pedal’s travel. For an automatic car, different types of automatic gearboxes can behave differently. However, whether the gearbox is manual or automatic, it should engage all gears smoothly and quietly. If it doesn’t then there’s a problem. 3. Exterior Body Work:

The exterior is the first thing people look at. This must be neat clean and appealing. Checking the bodywork is one of the easiest visual inspections that can be done while looking at a car.

Actions:

Thoroughly check the body line, underbody for alignment & rusting. Minor dents are nothing to worry about but are aware of the car if it has gone from major accidental repairs. Search for signs of repainting or replacement panels. Take a look at the gaps between each panel. The thickness of the gap should be uniform all around the car. The different tones for different body panels might reflect that they are changed or a car has been in an accident. In bright daylight, check the body panels are of a uniform color. Rough patches for inconsistent panel gaps or welding patches and look for evidence of overspray on glass, rubber seals, and plastic trims. Avoid a car with heavy modifications on it if you are unaware of the quality of modifications done on the car. 4. Tires, Wheels, and Suspension:

Ensure that the tires are in good condition otherwise price can be negotiated

Actions:

Check all four wheels and the spare wheel. Look for signs of damage to each wheel. Grazes from stones are common, and aren’t usually a serious problem, but wheels that are bent or have large dents in the rims will need repairing or replacing. They should be free from cuts, splits, or bulges if there’s anything like that then the tire would need replacement. Check for the tires, if one side of the tire is more worn or damaged than the other this can indicate poor wheel or suspension alignment. 5. Car Interior: The car’s interior can help to indicate whether the mileage is genuine as its condition explains all about its running and use.

Actions:

Check equipment, headlights, air conditioner, indicators, boot lid, central locking, radio, shock power windows, and taillights, etc. Make sure all equipment works properly. Check seats that are in good condition without any damaged and can be easily adjusted. Have look at the dashboards, steering wheel and confirm the odometer reader. Excessive wear on the pedals, seats, and the inconsistency with the odometer reading are all signs of the claimed mileage been tampered with. Make sure the boot carpet is dry in case of any leaks in the luggage area. 6. Taking a Test drive:

Test drive reveals almost everything. After visual checks, take a test drive.

Actions:

Take a comprehensive test drive on all gears and speeds, on all roads. Watch out for any unusual sounds from the engines that might indicate the wear and tear of suspension or steering etc. Drive without holding the steering wheel and check if the car pulls in one direction. It will let you know about the issue in wheel alignment. Test the brakes gently as well as hard braking pressure and notice for any unusual sound or vibration also see that car does not pull to one side when breaks are applied. 7. Car Documentation:

To keep yourself legally safe concerning buying a used car in Pakistan it’s very important to check all documents of the car.

Actions

Make sure the engine size mention on the registration matches the registration on the car badge. Check the car service manual to confirm that it has been visiting an authorized service station regularly. If the car was previously in the name of a person other than the current owner, then you also need to check the previous transfer letter and receipts. The transfer receipt tells you that the car was successfully transferred to the current owner. Verify the engine and chassis number of the car. Make sure you get the documents. The knowledge to spot potential problems and determining the reliability of a used car can keep you safe from an expensive automotive loss and lowers the risk to have a good deal on a safe and reliable vehicle that won't require expensive repairs. Waficars is committed to make life easier for consumers and assist them in making informed decisions for buying a car in Karachi by providing its services which involve car inspection service as well.