By the time you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already narrowed your used car research to the definitive list of vehicles you’re interested in. If you are still in the earlier stage of finding a used car, you may be interested in learning how to research a used car first, and the pros and cons of buy used car in Dubai.
In the future, before completing a decision, it is necessary to conduct a personal inspection. Make sure you don’t just base your judgment on looks. Sometimes you find a car quite attractive and worth buying, but you should reconsider your opinion after a careful inspection.
The most significant problem many of us face when inspecting a car at a dealership or with the seller is making sure we are not scammed with a faulty car. Below are some simple steps to help you thoroughly and more conveniently inspect a car before turning to professional or outside help.
Dive Into the following steps Even before you get start…
Go For A Sunny Day!
It’s always good to go for a physical checkup to buy used car in Dubai during the day, especially in bright sunshine. You cannot carefully inspect certain aspects, such as paintwork and dents, when inspecting a car in low light.
See It Outdoors
Make sure you park the car in a place where you have a full 360-degree view. This will help you to look from all possible angles and thoroughly inspect the vehicle. If it’s parked against a wall or on an uneven surface, you can always ask the seller to drive it into an open area.
It’s a challenging task to buy a used car in UAE.
Go For Level Ground
Make sure the car is level so you can better control the straight sections. Uneven surfaces make it difficult to see deformations in places like window panes and rooflines.
Take Someone With You
Two are always better than one. A companion – such as a friend, relative, or a well-known mechanic or car expert – can provide additional insight or opinions about the car. Make sure you take someone with you who is at least concerned or even marginally interested in the task at hand. Sometimes taking someone with you who is completely uninterested can demotivate you to get things done quickly.
Take A Walk
Before jumping to any conclusion about spotting an exterior imperfection or dent, it’s important to take a slow walk around the car and examine the overall details. This should include looking at specific areas such as the front bumper, headlights, grille, wipers, side indicators, wheel arches, windows, and trunk.
Look for irregularities that are obvious at first glance. If you spot something, don’t hesitate to let the owner or the used car salesman know about the part that you think is not in perfect condition. If it is a minor defect, such as B. a crushed edge on the bumper or a missing rubber lining on the wiper, you can request a replacement after signing the contract.
If you spot any major repairs when you buy used car in UAE, like visible seams on the bumper or a large dent on the trunk, it’s best to stop the inspection and start looking again.
Check For Paint Differences And Rust
This should probably be done in broad daylight. Look closely at each panel of the car and try to spot a difference, if any, between the texture and gloss of the paint.
For example, a newly painted surface will be shinier than the rest of the surface when the car is old. Always remember: the original factory paint job has multiple layers of coating, making it fairly smooth and linear.
Aftermarket paint always has a rough surface that is easy to spot. Also, check the paint on the joints and screws. A repaint somehow makes the hinge and stud color look different than the rest of the body.
Look For Aftermarket Body Parts Or Modifications
Sometimes sellers sell their heavily modified cars after using them roughly. Any spare parts such as custom exhausts, air cleaners, bent pipes, or even raised suspension and aftermarket alloy wheels should be carefully evaluated. A heavily modified car clearly means it has been subjected to hard driving, which can include off-road driving, heavy acceleration, and engine damage. Ideally, stay away from a car that is or has been heavily modified. If you have any questions, you can always contact the seller.
Inspect The Vehicle For Major Dents And Repair Work
Almost all vehcile has some dents over the years and needs rough edges smoothed out. This is especially true for the side doors and the front and rear bumpers. So don’t worry about minor scratches or dents, as these can be fixed once you check with the seller. The main concern here is not to be scammed for a car that has been involved in an accident and has been completely redone.
Check The Engine Oil Level
If the engine is the heart of your car, then motor oil is the blood that pumps into it and keeps it running. It is perhaps very essential to ensure that the engine oil level is adequate before proceeding.
To Check The Engine Oil Level: Make sure the car is cold and not running.
- Remove the gearbox oil dipstick, which is plugged into the side mount of the engine. You will come across two dots marked on the dipstick.
- The ideal engine oil level should be up to the top second pointer, which reads “full”, and the color of the oil should be as transparent as possible if the seller claims to have recently added it.
- To test more efficiently, get the oil on your fingers and rub it with your thumb. If you see a dirty gray-colored spot and can only smell fuel, it means the car needs an oil change.
Feel The Cabin First
Before you do anything else, get in the car and just look around the cabin to see if you come across any irregularities in the features or other details. Spend some time in multiple sitting positions, e.g., B. on the driver’s side, the passenger side, and the rear seat.
Check Seat Condition
Before settling into the car, it is important to check the seats. Note any stains, holes, or scratches on the seats and let the seller know. Let the seats recline and move them back repeatedly to see if the movement is smooth. After sitting, check the padding and support padding under the thighs to see if they are adequate.
Check Each Function Individually
Do not rush by only checking the air conditioning and audio unit. Also, examine the dials and buttons on the center console, steering wheel, and instrument cluster. Then start using each function one by one and check if it works properly. You should be careful while buy a used car in Dubai.
Check All Electrical Devices
Do not turn on the ignition now, and run it in battery mode. Check all electrical equipment such as horns, headlights, turn signals, power-folding or power seats, side mirrors, etc. Then turn on the vehicle’s ignition and check the functions again. Use all electrical devices listed on the vehicle, including power steering, even when stationary, by turning the steering wheel.
Conclusion:
If the used car you like passes all the above tests, congratulations! You have found a winner. Before you go ahead and close the deal, or if you are confused to buy used car in UAE, get behind the wheel and test drive the cars one by one before you buy them. Again, this is an important exercise and should be done thoroughly. To help you with that, read our article on how to test drive a used car before you buy it and finalize the car that suits your needs.