When it comes to getting great value for money, choosing pre-owned/used cars is often a great choice. However, purchasing a car involves more than just selecting one that you like and paying for it. To get a car that’s right for you, you need to consider several factors and do your research. After all, you wouldn’t want a car that doesn’t fit your needs or is riddled with problems.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of seven car-buying tips to help you score the right car according to your needs.
1. Determine Your Budget
The first thing to do when buying a used car in Malaysia is to determine how much you are willing to spend on the car. The rule of thumb is to spend no more than 15 to 25 percent of your income on your monthly car payment. Apart from that, you should also consider the ownership costs which include the fuel, toll, parking, and maintenance costs. Once you are sure that you’ll be able to cover the ownership costs and potential repair costs after the warranty is over, you are ready for the next step.
2. Define Your Requirements
When buying a car, you should list down what you want from it. Things to consider include the passenger and cargo space that you need, the fuel economy of the car, its color, and features that you cannot live without. You should also research the brand, model, and price range of the car that you have in mind before you browse on car marketplaces such as CARSOME. By having a list of requirements, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed when you’re presented with the multitude of choices available on the market.
3. Consider Several Cars
If you have a specific car in mind, you can review other vehicles in the same segment so you don’t miss out on better choices. For example, if you’re thinking of getting a sports utility vehicle (SUV), research other SUV choices within your budget. You might even find a vehicle that better fits your needs that you weren’t aware of.
If you need help finding the right car, you can check out the Car Finder Tool right on our website. All you have to do is answer three simple questions and the tool will recommend a selection of cars that fits your requirements.
CARSOME’s Car Finder Tool highlighted in red
4. Review the Car’s Service History
When buying a used car in Malaysia it’s important to check the car’s service history. A car that has been regularly serviced is more likely to have its components in better condition. It’ll be easier to plan for major services after you buy the car since you already know its complete service history.
That being said, you should also ask for an accident repair history to get vital information like the number of accidents the car has been in and their severity, if the odometer has been rolled back, or even if the car has been declared a total loss by the insurance company.
Read More: Industry Secrets Shared by CARSOME Inspectors
5. Inspect the Exterior & Interior of the Car
Be sure to inspect the whole car and look out for dents, defects, scratches, and rust. While minor damages will not affect the safety and performance of a car, it’s important to catch major defects before finalizing your purchase. Important things to look at include the paint finish, uneven gaps between the body panels, and mold in the cabin.
You should also make sure that all the doors, lights, turn signals, and interior electronics are functioning as they should. If any of the warning lights on the instrument cluster are on, get them checked before you make your purchase. At CARSOME, we have set a new standard in the industry by providing you with the complete 175-point inspection report so you know the exact condition of our cars both inside and out.
6. Inspect the Engine
Another vital car-buying tip is to inspect the engine. Check all the fluids, wires, and hoses in the engine and make sure they’re not damaged. Also, look out for leaks, and mismatched screws or nuts and bolts as these could indicate that the engine bay has suffered some damage. If you’re not confident in inspecting the engine bay, bring along a friend or a mechanic who’s more familiar with a car engine to help you.
7. Test Drive the Used Car
This is perhaps the most important part of buying a used car. Spending some time behind the wheels will help you determine the condition of the car. Spend enough time on the road, not just driving around the parking lot. Drive it on the highway to test the speed, and on different roads to check out its handling and comfort. Pay attention to the sound and smell of the car while you drive. If there’s excessive creaking or hissing noises, or burnt odors, the car could have some damage to the engine.
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Score Your Dream Car with CARSOME
By following these car-buying tips, we’re sure you’ll be able to score the right car for you. However, if you want complete peace of mind, just choose CARSOME. Much like our brand ambassador, the legendary Eric Cantona, CARSOME is leading the used car industry with our relentless spirit to go above and beyond for you. We do that by delivering trust, transparency, and choice.
- Trust: All CARSOME Certified cars are put through a stringent 175-point inspection to rule out major accident and flood damage. We then professionally refurbish every car to ensure they meet the high standards you expect in a car. Not only that, all our cars come with a one-year warranty and five-day money-back guarantee for further peace of mind.
- Transparency: All cars listed on CARSOME come with fixed prices, so what you see is what you pay. Additionally, you can see the full 175-point inspection report and have a complete view of the car on each listing. When it comes to transparency, we don’t compromise.
- Choice: When shopping on CARSOME, you get to choose how you shop, from browsing to delivery. You can browse the cars on our app, website, or even visit a nearby CARSOME Experience Center. You can even get a home test drive or virtual tour of the car if you can’t come to us for a test drive. And while we welcome you to collect your car in person, we’re also happy to deliver your car straight to your doorstep.
If you’re looking for trust, transparency, and choice in your car-buying journey, check out CARSOME today. We’ll do our best to help you secure your dream car!
