Getting your hands on that dream car is such a luring act. You just want to get done with the paperwork and get into that driving seat to flex it around the neighbourhood. Well, you have waited so long, then why not wait a bit more and have a better look at what you are getting yourself into. A shiny-looking car may have something hidden underneath, and it’s always better to have things all worked out before you hit the road.
We bring to you some teeny-tiny bits of information that could be really beneficial for you while you are on that dream-car hunt. Let us take you through it and get it over with as soon as possible, as we also want you to have that dreamy luxury car of yours.
Let’s begin with the exterior, as it is the most exposed part of the vehicle:
Walk around
Take a walk around the car you wish to make yours. Have a good look at the paint and check whether there are any inconsistencies in it. This should be done in a well-lighted place, or possibly in the sunlight, as it helps in finding the discrepancies of the paint job. Also check for any rust lurking around the outer body of the car, as it might reason out as a badly maintained car. Try opening and closing all the doors, along with the hood and trunk, and check for any unwanted noises coming from them which might be an issue of improper fitting. It is also essential to check for the rubber seals around the doors and windows to make sure that they slide in well.
Glass panels
They play a very important role in the whole process of having a car. Check for any small or large cracks on the glass as it might increase with the passage of time and could be an expensive repair to be made in the future.
Check the suspension of the vehicles
Suspensions are to be in great condition to have a great ride as the whole body might roll here and there if the suspension is not perfect. Yes, the emphasis on the word ‘perfect’ is done here as it caters to a great deal while trying to drive around. With bad suspensions, you might be driving a wobbly car in most cases, and why would anyone want something which is not stable enough to drive. In order to do this, stand at the back of the car and have a decent look for any slogging in the stance of the car. Next, go around the corners and press the car to see if it comes back to its original stance without any difficulty. If it comes back to the normal stance in no time, then it’s one thing less you need to worry about.
Check for any damage in the frame of the car
This type of damage is mostly caused due to any external accessory being installed into the vehicle. There might be holes made into the body and might cater to fill in the unwanted smoke from the outside if not looked into carefully. Also check under the hood – the part that connects the fender and radiator: it should be boulted-in and not welded for any reason at all.
Check the lights and tyres
Lights illuminate the roads and also help while putting a stoppage on the road. Check if all the lights are functioning properly: be it the headlights, tail lights, indicators, third-brake lights as well as the fog lamps. These are of great importance whenever you wish to purchase a used car.
Now moving on to the tyres. It has been said before that a tyre of the car shows you a clear image of its background. A tyre holds key secrets to find out where the car has been ridden and what all bad roads have been encountered by the vehicle. A thorough check-up of the tyre will include checking them of being the same size and make. Next up is checking for the wear and tear, and if there are any, they should be on both the tyres whether up front or at the rear. If any of the tyres are more damaged than the rest, it could be a great indication to know that the car has been driven carelessly before.
Checking under the hood
Hood is where the engine is; hence it becomes one of the most worked up places to look for any damage or leakages. The idea is to have a thorough checking of all the fuel tanks for any leaks. Check the belts for any crack or dry out and make sure that the oil is ample when you pull out the dipstick. The coolant should not be dirty and brown as it may indicate that there is a leak in the head gasket or maybe the coolant tank had never been cleaned before. When you pull the transmission dipstick, the liquid inside should be red or pink in color. The most important part is to check the timing belt, as it is one of the most expensive mechanics of a vehicle, and should be replaced after every 95k – 160k km.
Once you are done with the exterior inspection, let’s move to the interiors as it is the place you will be most of the time whether driving or not.
Let the interior inspections begin!
Seats
This is where most of your time will be spent while you are inside. Check for the seating capacities, if it is well suited for your needs and family comfort or are there any damages like burn marks on the seats. Check for the adjustable buttons and whether or not they are functioning properly. Foldable seats might be having some trouble while trying to recline or move back and forth. Do have a thorough inspection of all these elements of the seats.
Inside lights
This part includes inspecting the inner lights and functionalities. Here you would be looking at the headlights (daytime, nighttime and high beams), ceiling and interior lights, glove compartment lights along with mirror lights.
Controls and accessories
This is a major area you would want to examine pretty closely as all the luxury vehicles provide you with a great array of functionalities. And that is why, this part of the interior examination is a crucial part. It includes checking the windshield wipers and fluid control, heater/air conditioning, vents and airflow settings, mirror adjustments, GPS, door and window locks, power windows, stereo, power outlets, front window and rear window defrost, speakers, horn, clock, steering wheel tilt adjustment, sunroof controls and the releases for the hood, trunk and gas cap. Since it is inclusive of all these inspections, it plays a very crucial role in the whole inspection of the vehicle.
Dashboard
This is where you will be cross-checking the odometer reading with that of the car listing information. Check if there is any wrong information being displayed or are there any warning lights which you might want to take care of after you lock the deal. Once you are done with the aforementioned checklist, you will have some clarity on what you are buying into. However, with Motozite at your behest, you might want to just relax as all the cars in our inventory go through a great deal of inspection from authorised dealerships. It is our foremost responsibility to cater to all the needs of the customer while they are looking for their pre-owned luxury vehicle.