Why Perodua when possible BMW? That’s true, but there’s a lot to keep in mind since you can’t just hold your cake and eat it. The used car you used many years ago may still look great (if not better), but it may be hiding some problems. This is only to be expected with age.  But you know it, of course, and you go there with your eyes wide open. After all, life is short and you have to live a little, right? Right. Here’s some tips for when buying a used proton saga. 

Expected: 

If you’re used to buying and selling cars, you know what to expect. But for those who often buy new cars, expectations should be set. No matter how clean or well-maintained a used car is, you shouldn’t expect a new car experience, and that means we want to buy and drive it without any extra maintenance. or scheduled maintenance. The standard practice of used car dealers is to “fix” a vehicle to make it look good and new, aesthetically pleasing. 

A good compromise would be to buy a used car that is still under factory warranty. This will strike a balance between savings and peace of mind. With the warranty still in effect, the car will also be relatively young, which means fewer potential problems.  Some automakers have Officially Certified Pre-Owner programs with some form of warranty. Some auto dealers also include third-party warranties on their cars, but the coverage varies. Sellers like Modular go one step further – all cars come with a one-year extended warranty plus a year of free service.

Affordability

It seems obvious. It’s whether you can afford to buy a car or not, right? However, it’s not that simple and many people don’t factor in costs other than the list price of a used car.

Maintenance costs are typically higher for older vehicles because there are more wear-and-tear parts to replace, in addition to regular maintenance. Do your research and set aside funds, in addition to your monthly payments. Also, remember to research parts/maintenance costs and have appropriate expectations – for example, if you’re upgrading from a National to a used Continental, the single will be more important. 

Faced with the strange temptation, ask yourself if you can afford to service a new Porsche or Bentley? If the answer is no, you may not be able to afford the maintenance of a used appliance, even if its price is currently under RM100,000. 

Another type of temptation is a car priced “below market value”. You may have to pay extra for a well-maintained vehicle with a full-service history. Buying cheap and the road ahead can add up in the long run, and that’s not to mention the time and effort required.  Also consider road taxes – unlike the value of a car, which will never decrease – and higher interest rates on loans for used cars than for new cars.

Exterior inspection

Consider the age of the vehicle. Scratches and dents around the bodywork are only possible for everyday drivers. Note any paint flaws and consider the cost to fix them (full body repaint, repaint, unpainted dent removal), or if you can live with a battle scar. Keep in mind that not all used cars are at fault, as some have fresh paint or have been repainted to cover cracks and scratches. Check gloss uniformity and paint finish – parts that look shiny and “newer” compared to the rest of the body can hide damaged repairs.  

Compare the color of a car with what is shown on the gray card. While you’re at it, check the consistency of the clearances between the panels – jagged gaps could be due to a slight bend in the fender or even poor bodywork. due to a more serious accident.

Also, check the headlights and taillights – both should show the same level of wear; otherwise, a corner may have been replaced before. Of course, all lights must work. Small cracks in the windshield are not uncommon, but you don’t want cracks.  The use of branded tires is often an indication that the previous owner has maintained them properly. In contrast, cheap tires on expensive cars suggest a cost-cutting approach. 

Either way, it’s a good idea to get a new set of tires if the car has been in storage for a while, as the tires may have hardened or flattened while idling. Check the wheels for curb damage and whether they’re in stock or aftermarket if that bothers you. 

For body kits, the factory ones are fine, but if retrofit sure to check the points where the kit attaches to the bodywork – ideally you don’t want any studs or screws that leave a permanent hole in the vehicle. body. Replacement kits and bumpers can be original or replicas and can be made of different materials – please note. 

As a general rule, look for cars in stock/original – as few modifications as possible, unless you’re looking for a specific look/modification and the previous owner shared similar preferences.

Interior inspection

The interior of a car is harder to touch than the exterior, and the cabin tells a good story about the condition of the car. 

Of course, some signs of wear and tear are to be expected, but if things are too old and need replacing, that’s an additional cost.  For fabric seats, make sure there are no tears. Additional wear to the outer seat pads is normal. Leather seats can harden, become shiny and crack over time – although this is not repairable, of course, upholstering the seat is an option. 

The same goes for the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also, watch out for cigarette burns. The smell of cigarette smoke that clings to many years is difficult to get rid of.  

In spite of seats inside as well as steering wheels, there are other touched points in the cabin that people would be accessed frequently. Wearing doorknob handles, air conditioning and audio controls are normal but watch out for damaged parts. Some cabin and switch parts may be small, but parts may not be cheap and to order. All electronics and functions will work. 

Check the wipers, power windows, central locking, rear view camera, audio system, and displays (infotainment screen, instrument panel, multi-information display). Try adjusting the power seats, side mirrors, and steering wheel tilt/reach. Seat belts too; they should retract and not sag.  

For vehicles with an electronic sunroof, test to ensure smooth operation. This step is even more important for convertibles with electronic folding roofs – there’s an extra army of panels, transmissions, struts, and seals compared to a hardtop coupe, which doesn’t. luck also means more potential problems.  

Finally, look at the floor mats and trunk. Wet marks, any signs of standing water, or rust on the seat bolts and base can be a sign of leaks or even flood damage. 

Either way, if you’re buying from a dealer, most of the above – especially the obvious ones like the steering wheel and seats – must have been refurbished before they hit the market.

The test drive

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the controls and visibility around the vehicle. Relaxing at the start will also tell you a lot about how the car behaves in traffic and at low speeds. 

Areas to focus on are the engine (see if it runs smoothly, without excessive vibration), transmission (smooth gearshift, no jerks, not playing too much with manual transmission), steering system ( no excessive vibration, no pulling to the side), and suspension. (no creaking/creaking, “snake” feeling). On less-smooth roads,  rattles and squeaks may appear. 

After driving, open the hood and check the engine compartment for any signs of oil or fluid leaks. Very few engine bays are free of dirt, but probe if you see any oil stains. While you’re at it, check the engine odometer, restart the car and listen to the engine at the source. Observe the machine in idle mode and watch for unusual noises and hissing/crackling. Give the motor a number of revolutions and see it return to a steady idling state. The checklist might seem overwhelming when put into words, but it’s not too difficult in real life and you’ve been able to check many points naturally.  

Many of the potential pitfalls of used cars can be mitigated with a warranty. Every module purchase includes not only a one-year extended warranty but also a year of free service. It will be as easy as buying a used car. There’s even a five-day money-back guarantee – no questions asked – if somehow you change your mind or the other half doesn’t approve! 

MyTukar AutoFair 2022 will be held from  7 to 9 January 2022 at myTukar Retail Experience Center – Puchong South. Malaysia’s largest used car event with over 1,000 used cars you will find a wide selection of popular vehicles like Perodua Axia and Myvi, Proton Saga and Persona, various Honda and Toyota models, and even premium options from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.

Have any different ideas? Leave your comments below.