When you are going to buy any second hand stuffs, please make sure the lifeline of the device is ok. You can get your hand/legs repaired, if broken, but cannot survive if heart fails. So look for the heart.  I am not sure people agree with my views, but nevertheless, you can give a try. Hopefully will not be disheartened.

To look for second hand car, I presume you are running short of money or want to try your hand for the first time, before a new one. It’s a wise decission for someone, who wants to drive for the first time. Rather than scrapping your brand new car, why not to buy something at say 200,000 and sell it after 6 months at 150000. Depreciation cost is 50,000, but your new baby withh have no harm.

Unlikely for me, I bought my second hand scorpio, because I liked that one and couldn’t afford a new one at the time. But it turned out that, it’s smoother than my contemporaries. It’s more than a year now, I am driving, without any issues and thinking of upgrading it, rather buying a new one.

First, if you are confident enough to pick up cars in auctions/mela, head for it. probs is, they never let you analyze/test. So you never know, what you are on to. For first time users, better to avoid that.

There are ads from reputed second hand dealers with guarranted accident free cars. They cost a bit more than generic price, but they are assured. Go for the dealers name/reputation. Don;’t bargain illogically. Befriend the guy who is working for a long time in there and have him trust you as  a good person.

If you know  how to drive, just take a test drive and look for bend chasis. On a smooth road, just get rid of the steering wheel and notice if the car is getting away from it’s course, if yes, check for steering stability, and if it’s ok, then probably you are having a bend chasis. Avoid that.

Take a look at the engine smoothness and sound. No apparent first hand method to check apart from experience/ears, better to let you trusted mechanic drive. If you are not having one, give rs 100 to the local garrage guy and let him drive for 10 mins. His opinion will be useful. Repeat this with a couple of more guys and then decide.

Other optional things are the tyres. They are a bit costly, so look at the thread depth. If you are to change it immediately, negotiate for the tyre price.

Too much rust/scratches on paint will led you to paint it. So check for that.

Number of years/km it has been in production and calculate the insurance costing for that. Your purchase price should be lower than that.

Next will be clutch wire/plate and brakes. Check for the pickup and braking noises. better to run it across some high slopes, if available. Will give an indication of it’s pickup. release the clutch slowly in high slopes to check it’s tenosity. Even a steep bridge will do.

Paper checking is an absolute must, everyone knows.

If you are in bangalore and looking for a second hand one, let me know. I can give you te contact of a genuine gentleman (if you are having no reliable source0 who can tell you the truth about the vehicle you want to buy. Only thing, you have to drive that vehicle to him, in Peenya. Consider paying him a nominal charge, (he will be reluctant to take, though)

Hope, this thread makes some sense to someone. If not, forgive me.


happy driving !!!!


Best,
--Surajit