Guide To Buying A Used Car “Without A Mechanic”
Hey there! Dealnew.co.uk knows firsthand how stressful the used car buying process can feel. When I was in college a few years back, I scoured listings for days trying to find an affordable car. But without knowing much about mechanics, it was hard to separate the good deals from the potential money pits.
I wish I had someone like me now to guide me through it all - someone who understands the worries but can also take the mystery out of inspecting cars and asking the right questions. That's why I created this guide, to pass along the tips and tricks I've learned over the years.
Buying used is definitely the most budget-friendly way to get yourself on the road. But it does require knowing what to look out for. During this process, think of me as your experienced friend who wants to share my lessons so you can drive off feeling good about your purchase.
Let's start at the beginning. We'll cover everything from the initial search to test drives and negotiations. My goal is to give you the confidence to make an informed decision, even without a mechanic in tow. You'll be an expert in no time!
With limited finances but you need to buy a car to move around, a used car is a choice worth considering. However, to buy a used car, you need to have some basic knowledge to avoid losing money and risks with the used car you intend to buy.
Check the paint of the car
When looking at a used car, you need to calmly “check the car”, even if there is no mechanic with you, if you are observant you can still check it yourself. The first thing that catches our eye is the car’s paint color.
For vehicles that have been in a collision, it can be easily recognized by the naked eye when the paint has long scratches in one area and the color is not uniform.
With an older car, an original paint job will ensure that the elements are scratch-free or have minor insignificant scratches.
Related article: 15 Must-Have Accessories For Your Car
Check the slots on the car
If you look at a car that has been in an accident or a serious collision, you may notice that the very small gaps between the doors that the mechanic had to disassemble to restore will not be as tight as when the transmission was removed. If the car has been hit from the front, you need to open the hood to carefully examine the edge of the compartment, even if you do it carefully, it will be difficult to completely remove the dents and distortions.
Therefore, if the user observes that the body joints do not match and the gap size is uneven, it proves that the body and frame of the car have been repaired due to an accident.
Check car glass
You need to check if the glass is scratched, cracked or has signs of being replaced. In case the windshield is replaced, the year of manufacture will not be consistent or even using non-genuine glass will not have the manufacturer's logo.
Check the interior of the car
After checking the exterior, you need to continue checking the interior of the car including the steering wheel, door handles, floor, seat covers, ceiling or door panels... If you find that the interior is faded, peeling and scratched, it proves that the car has been used for a long time.
Check vehicle features
Next, you need to check the car's air conditioner, electric windows, wipers, seat adjustment, car screen... to see if they are working properly. If the features on the car have problems, the quality of the car will decrease and if you buy it, you will have to spend a lot of money to fix it.
Check rims and tires
Many people are so busy checking the interior and exterior of their old car that they forget to check the rims and tires of their old car. In fact, the cost of replacing tires or rims is quite expensive, so customers can use this to negotiate a lower price for the car.
Check the car engine
The most important thing in the process of choosing a used car is the engine system. This is the most important part, the “heart” of the car. It will directly affect the car’s performance.
To check, you need to see if the car starts smoothly. Then you should take a test drive to check the acceleration process of the car. If the car runs smoothly from start to acceleration, it proves that the car is still operating effectively.
Check oil and radiator
Check the radiator to see if there is enough water? Are there any stains on the radiator? If the vehicle lacks coolant, it will directly affect the engine's performance.
You also need to check the oil level in the reservoir, cleanliness and viscosity. Coolant and oil need to be replaced regularly to ensure stable operation of the vehicle.
Check the odometer
When buying a used car, professional mechanics often check to see if the car's odometer has been rolled back. To find out, you need to check the maintenance history to compare the displayed mileage with the actual condition.
Check documents, chassis number
Customers need to check all the documents of origin of the used vehicle such as vehicle registration certificate , car registration certificate, etc. For vehicle registration and vehicle inspection papers that comply with regulations, the letters must be aligned, the ink strokes are even and embossed, the font must be sharp enough and there must be a direct signature in blue ink. For fake documents, they are usually printed or scanned so they have black ink.
In particular, you must check the vehicle's VIN number to compare vehicle information online - an easy vehicle identification factor. This is a series of 17 digits and must match the VIN number on the lookup website. Based on the VIN number, customers can view vehicle information such as year of manufacture, manufacturer, manufacturing brand, etc.
It is best when you intend to find a used car, you should buy a car from the owner so that the process of transferring ownership and ownership can avoid legal problems or illegal vehicles.
Check the lighting system and wipers.
Check fines
In addition to checking the documents, buyers should also check the vehicle's fines and usage history to see if the vehicle has ever been in an accident or collision. Take the time to check this issue.
Check if the car has been serviced
Service cars will have a lot of damage, even if they are “touched up” they will not be completely restored. You can check carefully to recognize through the paint color, door panels, dashboard or internal machinery.
Related article: The Complete Guide To Choosing The Right Engine Oil For Your Car
How to calculate depreciation of used cars
There are many ways to calculate the value of a used car, such as calculating the brand value and level of wear and tear, and calculating the value of the car based on the number of years of use. Depending on each case, there are different ways of calculating.
Below is the common calculation method: (Variable from 10% - 20%) x Rolling car price x Number of years of vehicle use. In which: Rolling car price = Listed price + Car registration fee + Other fees
Taxes when buying a used car
The costs incurred when purchasing a used car include registration tax (a fee of about 4-10% of the current value of the car) and transfer fees. In addition, if the car is purchased at the right time, the owner must pay for registration fees, car insurance fees and road maintenance fees.
Transfer of ownership
Finally, when you “close the deal” to buy a car, you need to understand that for used cars, the car owner is required to transfer ownership to the buyer. The car owner and the buyer are responsible for bringing the car to the vehicle registration agency to carry out the name change procedure within 30 days.
Property that is a car is subject to a fine of $84.00 - $168.00 for individuals, $168.00 - $336.00 for car owners who are organizations.
Conclusion
Congratulations - by following the tips in this Dealnew.co.uk's guide, you now have the skills to confidently purchase a used car without a mechanic by your side. I know it seems intimidating at first, but as you've seen, it's really not as complicated as you might think when you know what to look for. Feel proud that you took the time to properly inspect the vehicle, ask the right questions, and negotiate a fair price. And most importantly, enjoy your new pre-owned ride! I hope it gives you many miles of reliable transportation. If you ever need any advice down the road, feel free to reach back out. Wishing you safe travels and happy motoring!
LATEST

Last updated: Apr 24, 2025

Last updated: Sep 9, 2024

Last updated: Aug 30, 2024

Last updated: Sep 9, 2024
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/FoodsHighInVitaminA-86cc24d7e4fd4c05bbd7d6fa9c907635.jpg)
Last updated: Aug 30, 2024

Last updated: Apr 15, 2025