You want to buy a luxury car, but you aren’t willing to put in the big bucks and pay for a brand-new one. Naturally, the best option for you remains buying a pre-owned luxury car. After all, you get the same car you’ve been dreaming of at a fraction of its price.
But wait, here’s the catch. You’re not the first owner of that car, and a pre-owned luxury car has been used (and you don’t know how it has been used). What we’re trying to say is that purchasing a pre-owned luxury car comes with some caution.
There are certain things that you need to inspect in a used luxury car before finalising the purchase. In this article, we’re here to give you a thorough checklist for inspecting a used luxury car.
Inspecting a Used Luxury Car: Tick All The Boxes On This Checklist
Whether you’re venturing into the luxury segment for the first time or you are upgrading your car, remember to ‘check all the boxes’ on the following list.
Now, let’s hit the accelerator and go through them, one at a time:
Conduct a Thorough Preliminary Research
Before you even visit a dealership to buy a used luxury car, do these things:
- Research the Model You’re Buying: Get in touch with experts to understand all the common issues that might come with that specific make, model, and year.
- Evaluate Maintenance Costs: When it comes to upkeep costs, luxury cars often demand more. So, before you invest in a pre-owned luxury car, check its probable maintenance cost.
- Depreciation Curve: Remember to check the car for its depreciation numbers and find out if that particular luxury car will offer a decent resale value if you want to move it on after 2-3 years.
- Service History: Check the service history of the car; it will give you information about if the car has been serviced regularly and what other work has been done on the car.
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Next Comes the Visual Inspection
Give the car a physical test by checking:
Exterior:
- Make sure that the paintwork is consistent throughout the car and that there are no mismatched shades.
- Check for rust and scratches thoroughly. Because even luxury cars can get a little rusty, especially under the trunk, doors, and wheels.
- Ensure that there are no uneven gaps between panels (they are often the result of accident repairs).
- Also, remember to check the headlamps for fogging or any cracks.
Wheels and Tyres:
- Keep an eye out for uneven wear in the tires, which is the result of alignment issues.
- Check for dents or scratches on the rims, as they point towards rash driving by the previous owner.
Check Interior Condition
When it comes to luxury cars, the interior is where all the luxury resides, doesn’t it? So, do remember to give the interior of the pre-owned luxury car a thorough check.
- Make sure there is no discoloration, sagging, or cracks on the leather seats.
- Conduct a thorough evaluation of all the electronic components, including AC vents, seat adjusters, infotainment system and speakers, sunroof, ambient lighting, and power windows.
- Run your fingers across the dashboard to look for any fading caused by the car’s age or improper usage.
Inspect Tech and Electronics
Today, luxury cars come with a range of tech features to assist the driver and the passengers. That’s why you should remember to check:
- Navigation features like map accuracy and connectivity for infotainment purposes.
- Ensure the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (if available in the model) are working properly, including features like lane assist, 360-degree view camera, sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
- Make sure that no warning lights in the car are blinking or persisting after ignition.
Performance Evaluation
Now that the exterior, interior, and tech have all been checked, it’s time to get on the wheel and check the car’s performance. Here, you can start by:
- Checking for delayed ignition, unusual noises while starting the car, or excessive smoke.
- The engine should not sound abrupt, and the sound must remain consistent throughout the drive.
- Transmission response should be seamless (after all, it’s a luxury car) whether it’s a 9-speed automatic or dual-clutch.
- The steering mustn’t give off any vibration and should feel precise.
- Finally, remember to check the brakes for any bite, travel, or shuddering.
Documentation Check
Thoroughly checking documentation is probably the most overlooked aspect of buying a used car. We’re not saying that buyers ignore checking documentation altogether. But they tend to miss out on one or two important pieces of documentation.
To ensure that you don’t miss out on any, here’s a quick checklist:
- Ensure that the RC Book matches the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and Engine Number.
- Take a look at the insurance history to check for major claims that might have been the result of an accident.
- Check all tax slips, pollution certificates, service booklets, and invoices.
- Check for any pending challans
- Check for hypothecation on the Registration Certificate. If the Registration certificate has hypothecation mentioned, it means either of the following two possibilities:
- That the car is still under finance and EMIs are being paid, in such a case, ensure that the loan has been paid off completely and that at least a foreclosure letter is received (if not NOC) from the bank before making full payment to the seller. However, getting NOC is most critical as ownership transfer can not proceed without it. Also, check for any link loans with the car loan.
- The car loan has been paid off, but hypothecation has not been removed from the registration certificate. In that case, please check the NOC received from the bank.
- To ensure a smooth transfer, remember to check RTO Form 29 and Form 30.
Additionally, remember to get clarity on the number of owners that the pre-owned luxury car has had. After all, fewer owners means a better condition of the vehicle and fewer complications, as well. Also, we recommend a full 360-degree scan by an OEM authorized workshop to give you the best report on the as-is status of the car.
Here’s The Checklist Summary For a Quick Look
| Category | Key Points |
| Preliminary Research | Cost of ownership, Model issues, etc. |
| Exterior | Lights, tires, panels, and paints |
| Interior | Leather, AC, electronics |
| Tech Inspection | Navigation, ADAS features, and more |
| Performance | Brakes, suspensions, transmission, and engine health |
| Documentation | Ownership history, service logs, RC, Insurance. Bank NOC, if applicable |
Drive Your Dream; Avoid a ‘Disaster Buy’
When you decide to buy a luxury car, getting a great deal upfront is not enough. You need to make a smart investment. Yes, it feels like a dream when you hit the gas on a powerful BMW or are cushioned in luxury in a sophisticated Mercedes sedan.
But hey, you need to tick all the boxes on this checklist we shared to avoid losing your hard-earned money to an underinformed and impulsive purchase!
Get Your Favourite Pre-Owned Luxury Car with Motozite
With a curated inventory of used luxury cars and integrated services like financing, insurance, and extended warranties, we ensure the transparency and trust that you need while buying a pre-owned luxury car.
So, come to Motozite and we’ll make sure that you tick all the boxes on this checklist, ensuring peace of mind for you!