Tips for first time car buyers

MOTOR MART    CARS

I have been in the motor industry for the last 20 years and have observed that there are things about owning a car that make the buyer blind to all other aspects apart from buying a car. 

It becomes difficult if you have the cash to take time to analyse the car that you want to buy. As a result of this, many first-time car buyers end up with cars that are not roadworthy, cars that need a lot of money to correct what is wrong with them. 

Sometimes first-time car buyers end up purchasing vehicles that are not user-friendly and have low resale value. This is caused by being excited about owning having a car. Any first-time car buyer, who is not buying from the bond, but from the registered car markets, must follow the following criteria to avoid being disappointed.

• If the costing has been done fairly, any car you buy at sh4m will need another sh4m to sort out the defects. A car you buy at sh5m will require sh3m to bring it to the required road standards. If you buy a car at sh6m, you will need sh2m to do repairs. I have come up with this analysis in the practical engagement in sorting out car problems for people.

It is better you look for sh8m or sh9m and buy a car that would only require about sh500,000 to sh1m to make it roadworthy, except in a few exceptions were the owner of the car has looked after it well and all relevant car systems like the engine, transmission, tyres, body and others on the test drive and car inspection prove they are sound.

• Before you buy the car, engage a trusted mechanic who will give you an objective view about the car you intend to buy. Whenever I inspect cars for people I always find that the sellers want me to influence the intending buyer to take the car. I am sure mechanics can be compromised by car sellers to dupe potential buyers. In case you are not sure of the one inspecting the car you intend to buy, get a second opinion or abandon the deal. 

• You must do a test drive. Drive the car a distance of about 20kms watching speed, power, vibrations, engine heating and others. Cars that have cooling fans directly connected with their thermostats short-circuited have had a heating problem. Before you pay for the car spend money and repair the thermostat for the cooling fans to switch on after the engine has warmed up.

This will reveal the secrets of the car engine heating problem and in most cases, you will not buy the car. 

• Verify the vehicle particulars. Ensure that the engine and chassis numbers and other vehicle particulars tally with the facts at the motor vehicle registry. In case of different engine, numbers ask the seller to give you engine procurement papers or documents having a URA engine clearance stamp.

This will aid in updating the vehicle particulars and alterations. Do not buy cars whose registered owner cannot be traced.

• Contact the street parking office to know the outstanding parking fees. Some cars have outstanding fees in millions and after you have purchased the car, you would be required to pay the parking fees.

• Check the car body for accidents and major bodywork. Check underneath for joining that could show that the car has been assembled and joined here illegally. 

• Do not hurry to pay after concluding the deal. Take a day or two. The seller will in most cases call you threatening that someone else wants to buy the car. Take your time. If the car is meant for you, you will still find it. 

• Look for more options to compare within that period of a day or two and after that, you can pay for the car.