Tips for problem-free second hand car purchase

DrX said:
Fully agree....push to test it on a highway, even if you need to have a pre-approval in order to do so (although it shouldn't be a requirement if they are serious about selling the car).

But test drive on the highway and open that thing up properly! If nothing breaks or no limp mode then perfect. If something happens, they sort it out and you good to go.
Personally also prefer to buy something still on maintenance plan as you can get any potential issues sorted. Especially if you bought it from the actual manufacturers dealer used section.

Went through the above experience recently and glad I took it on the highway as no issues picked up on first test drive around the block
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Yes. I also took it to the highway and after the drive open the bonnet up. Listen up for any strange sounds; feel for engine over heating look underneath for any leaks. Check if all the stuff that come with the car is there. Service books; spare wheel; tools - those cost a lot of money if they are missing. Put it out in the sun. Look for any precious paint work and scratches. You really need to immerse yourself in the experience.
 
JuliusSeizure said:
I'm no car expert but it takes a long time to become clued up on these things.

When in doubt, always take a guy who knows about cars with you, be it a family member, friend or pay a mechanic if you have to.
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this, I paid a mechanic to go with me to webuycars and we looked at several cars before deciding on a Getz,
rejected quite a few OTHER Japanese/Asian cars, like Camry's and Civics and ANOTHER i10, before taking one look at this Getz and telling me out of everything he saw looks the best,

thats my other thing, wont touch with a 100 foot pole anything that isnt Japanese/Asian in make, especially at webuycars, some have had luck there, others fall badly there.
but considering the Picanto I still have was from Auction and gradually fixed up, was bad enough, really wanted the best I could afford where I at least drove the car, and not just trusted the auction seller on his word.

heard this quote from a car review site, its all about the level of risk you can put up with,
on one end, if you DONT like ANY risk, you buy new, and pay the installments dutifully,

and then more levels of risk, and drops in price as you go down the chain from

dealer,
to franchise
to auto pedigree
to webuycars
,to gumtree,
to dude out of his backyard,

and at the bottom of the pile is auctions.

and thats my next question to you @APoc184 , what is your risk appetite when you buy a car?

also, not sure if you want to give this a go, or anybody here went and tried them, there is this service,
https://screan.co.za/pages/about-us, apparently you can get an independent mechanic to check a car and do tests before you decide to buy,
 
One of the best places to buy a secondhand car is Avis car sales.
Cons
You don't have much choice of brand, model and colour as they only stock certain cars and colours.
Pro's
Most cars will have about 25k kms to 40k kms on and will be around 1 year old(some 2 years old) and still under warrantee.
You buy from a reliable seller, no funny stuff, cars have service record and your warrantee is with the brand with no issues.

And all these stories about how people drive rented cars are just that, stories. Your average trailer trash does not fly around on business and rent cars.

There is Toyota Urban cruisers AT 20-30k below your budget. Few Opels and Suzukis around your budget and about 20k over you budget the have VW T-Cross

You ask for tips for problem free secondhand purchase, yet you consider buying of FB marketplace or Gumtree? You wanna get shot, scammed or buy a dud?
 
I recently went around looking at cars, and at one point the salesman asked if I'd be paying cash or via financing.

Then this question came up everywhere else I went.

I'm a bit suprised by that given how expensive cars are these days?
 
Yeah. Also get that question from all the dealerships.

With 4 kids we certainly don't have R300k cash lying around.
 
twqqis said:
I recently went around looking at cars, and at one point the salesman asked if I'd be paying cash or via financing.

Then this question came up everywhere else I went.

I'm a bit suprised by that given how expensive cars are these days?
Click to expand...
APoc184 said:
Yeah. Also get that question from all the dealerships.

With 4 kids we certainly don't have R300k cash lying around.
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They ask that because if they can do your finance through their provider they get a healthy kickback.
 
APoc184 said:
We do but I was hoping to keep this thread a bit more generic and informative for every type of purchase. If that makes sense.

We are not looking to spend more than R300k. Hoping to get away with something decent in the R200-R250k range.
One of the non-negotiables is that we want an automatic this time round. Lots of city driving for her and she is not kind to a clutch :ROFL:


Wife really likes the CX-5.
I'm really liking the Corolla Cross and VW T-Cross but prices are out of our budget and I ignore too good to be true deals immediately.
Then I see cars like the Hyundai Creta, Suzuki Vitara, and Opel Crossland that falls in the budget.
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duster EDC - for the fuel eco and toughness value for money pick
previous Gen Rav4 (previous gen, not the current one) - for the car that will outlast you and probably never give you any worries. might bore you tho
CX5 is also a go - for some above average styling and interior at a budget

Wouldnt go for a tcross or creta - they are quite small compared to the 3 suggestions above.
 
twqqis said:
I'm a bit suprised by that given how expensive cars are these days?
Click to expand...

APoc184 said:
don't have R300k cash lying around
Click to expand...

I would say most people not having that kind of money around is due to life style creep, replacing their cars regularly or continually getting a better car.

e.g if you buying a R300k car paying it off over 5 years at prime -1% That is R6 580 a month.
After 5 years you now have an extra R 6 580 a month if you save that for the next 5 years and earn 10% annual return on it your financial position would be.
Savings: R509 573.
Current car trade-in value: R100 000 (assuming it is worth a third of the original value I have no idea if that is accurate)
Total value: R609 573

A new car will not cost you R300k due to inflation so lets say 7% inflation at 10 years:
New equivalent car: R590 145 - you have R609k so now you buy your second car cash.
Remaining Savings: R19 428

Now if you continue to save that R6580 for another 10 years you would have:
Savings: 1.4 million
Car trade-in value: 196 715
Total: 1.6 Million

Replacement car once adding another 10 years of inflation at 7%: R962 140
You can now easily afford the third car cash and nearly have enough left to buy a second one in a different colour.

The above should be easy to do as if you have R6 850 now to spend on a car you should easily be able to save that every month going forward as due to inflation that is in real terms less money each month. In 20 years that R6850 is only R2 135 in todays money (Assuming inflation at 6%).

I understand that most people don't buy cars cash but just trying to illustrate that with savings, discipline and limiting lifestyle creep most people could achieve it.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
this, I paid a mechanic to go with me to webuycars and we looked at several cars before deciding on a Getz,
rejected quite a few OTHER Japanese/Asian cars, like Camry's and Civics and ANOTHER i10, before taking one look at this Getz and telling me out of everything he saw looks the best,

thats my other thing, wont touch with a 100 foot pole anything that isnt Japanese/Asian in make, especially at webuycars, some have had luck there, others fall badly there.
but considering the Picanto I still have was from Auction and gradually fixed up, was bad enough, really wanted the best I could afford where I at least drove the car, and not just trusted the auction seller on his word.

heard this quote from a car review site, its all about the level of risk you can put up with,
on one end, if you DONT like ANY risk, you buy new, and pay the installments dutifully,

and then more levels of risk, and drops in price as you go down the chain from

dealer,
to franchise
to auto pedigree
to webuycars
,to gumtree,
to dude out of his backyard,

and at the bottom of the pile is auctions.

and thats my next question to you @APoc184 , what is your risk appetite when you buy a car?

also, not sure if you want to give this a go, or anybody here went and tried them, there is this service,
https://screan.co.za/pages/about-us, apparently you can get an independent mechanic to check a car and do tests before you decide to buy,
Click to expand...
I'm going to use this screan service and let you guys know how it went.

Found something we really like. Low kilometres, full service history, spare key. Really clean and drives well with all the nice infotainment, sensors, cameras included.

But it bothers me that the price is R20k below market average for the same car available everywhere.

Salesman says there was rear bumper damage and it was repaired/resprayed. But I do not have the knowledge and eye to check if anything else might have been damaged. To me it looks new.

Will update on the report and if it gave us peace of mind or made us pull out of the deal.
 
3 hours after requesting an inspection and the consultant is on site.

Email update promises a full report 2 hours after completion.
 
APoc184 said:
3 hours after requesting an inspection and the consultant is on site.

Email update promises a full report 2 hours after completion.
Click to expand...
am curious to hear how it goes, screan is bit pricey will admit, I paid my Mechanic I got off gumtree R650 for him to walk with me at webuydacars.
but so far so good I guess.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
am curious to hear how it goes, screan is bit pricey will admit, I paid my Mechanic I got off gumtree R650 for him to walk with me at webuydacars.
but so far so good I guess.
Click to expand...
Report received with hordes of photos of interior, exterior and engine.

Thorough check done from shocks to brakes to gearbox, engine and all electronics.

Car was test driven with loads of check list items to check for.

Consultant even rates the dealership on service, honesty and knowledge of the product.

Consultant was thorough and picked up on some small scratches and dings I missed. All included in his report and photos.

Final conclusion from consultant is that car is in good condition, no concerns and priced aggressively and that he can not find a reason not to buy the car.

Consultant confirmed that dealership gives a 1 month/1000km warranty for any issues that might pop up after taking delivery.

He also informed us about the Consumer Protection Act that gives you extra peace of mind. 6months from date of purchase you can contact the Motor Ombudsman if you feel the breakdown was due to the dealership hiding stuff.

All in all a great service and it certainly gave me the peace of mind to go ahead with the deal.
I would however suggest that they add a diagnostic test to the service for the price they charge.

We have done pre-approval even before his visit and even added a 2 year extended warranty for further peace of mind as car is just out of manufacturer warranty and service plan.

So just going to hussle with the private banker and the dealer F&I to get us an even better deal.

And hopefully by the end of the week the wife will be rolling in new wheels.
 
APoc184 said:
Report received with hordes of photos of interior, exterior and engine.

Thorough check done from shocks to brakes to gearbox, engine and all electronics.

Car was test driven with loads of check list items to check for.

Consultant even rates the dealership on service, honesty and knowledge of the product.

Consultant was thorough and picked up on some small scratches and dings I missed. All included in his report and photos.

Final conclusion from consultant is that car is in good condition, no concerns and priced aggressively and that he can not find a reason not to buy the car.

Consultant confirmed that dealership gives a 1 month/1000km warranty for any issues that might pop up after taking delivery.

He also informed us about the Consumer Protection Act that gives you extra peace of mind. 6months from date of purchase you can contact the Motor Ombudsman if you feel the breakdown was due to the dealership hiding stuff.

All in all a great service and it certainly gave me the peace of mind to go ahead with the deal.
I would however suggest that they add a diagnostic test to the service for the price they charge.

We have done pre-approval even before his visit and even added a 2 year extended warranty for further peace of mind as car is just out of manufacturer warranty and service plan.

So just going to hussle with the private banker and the dealer F&I to get us an even better deal.

And hopefully by the end of the week the wife will be rolling in new wheels.
Click to expand...
It is weird that that isn't included considering how easy it is to do and how much pertinent info they can reveal
 
Too lazy to read. but what ever you do. DO NOT default to the salepersons' finance recommendation.

i usually say "get me a quote, ill get a quote from my bank/banker and I will get a third by a third bank".

they usually get kickbacks, make it known you not only going with theirs
 
I have a quote from my bank offering prime -1 for a new car purchase.
Has anyone gotten better?
Trying to see if I can push them to do better?
 
We got Prime 11.75 on used car now.

And this was after our private banker and F&I went back and forth.

ABSA and Standard Bank would not go lower than 13%.

MFC and our Private Banker (FNB) both managed to offer 12‰

Then Marquis Finance offered prime. We sent the podium to our bank and only then did they match the interest rate.
 
Sir Bob said:
I have a quote from my bank offering prime -1 for a new car purchase.
Has anyone gotten better?
Trying to see if I can push them to do better?
Click to expand...
Prime minus 2. Cars and house. Because I married someone who works for a bank hahahaa. But yeah. Prime minus 1 is decent hey
 
Don't believe anything the car salesman tells you. Thats a top tip. They will BS on anything to get the sale. Anything specific they say, have them put it into writing. Also, if you can pay the car in cash, it's nice, they hate that.
 
So, Once someone has bought a car from a dealership,
What protection do they have?

Say, Parking sensors bust,
Or radiator leaks? gearbox leaks oil suddenly...

I understand things like tyres/breaks/clutch wouldnt be covered. But what else?
Could you go so far as to claim for a radio that stopped?

Then, part 2, how do you do this? Can you take the car to a shop you approve of? of do you have to go to one the dealer approves?
Time frame is 6 months right?
 
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