Owning a car in Singapore is convenient, but prices for a new car (when you factor in COE) is enough to make anyone’s eyes pop out. That is why more first-time buyers are turning to the second-hand market to get their first vehicle. 

While buying a used car can save you quite a bit of change, there are many pitfalls and traps you might fall into if you’re unfamiliar with what to look out for. Not to worry, read on to find out what you need to look out for when buying a second-hand car.

The Nitty Gritty Details

Now, before you even go down to view the car, there are some questions you need to ask the owner or salesperson first. This will give you a rough idea of what to expect, and the kind of state the car is in.

PARF or COE?

Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) refers to used cars that are still on their first Certificate of Entitlement (COE). While COE refers to used cars that have already renewed their COE at least once.

When you buy a PARF car, you’ll be able to recover at least 50% of the PARF value for de-registering the car once it hits its 10-year mark. Meanwhile, you can only claim rebates for a COE car if you de-register it before the remaining COE expires, which is calculated according to how many months you have left. 

Because of this, COE cars are cheaper to pay for upfront, but may incur additional maintenance costs down the road due to their age.

Mileage

A car’s age is not necessarily a good indication of its mechanical health. To get an accurate picture of how “used” a car is, the most important thing you need to look at is mileage. Now it’s not as simple as more mileage equals more used.

Old vehicles with low mileage can point to a lack of regular use that gives rise to issues like dead batteries, rusty brakes and a whole list of engine-related problems. On the other hand, high mileage can mean parts that have been pushed to their limit meaning you might have to spend more on maintenance or replacing these parts.

Ideally, you want to find a car with appropriate mileage in correlation with its age. A generally accepted number is 15,000km/year. 

Servicing and Maintenance Records

Cars that have been serviced regularly are more likely to maintain optimal performance and extend their lifespan. Ask for these records so you have an accurate picture of the car’s health and how well it’s been taken care of while it's on the road.

Road Tax

Buyers often get so caught up in the initial price of the car that they forget to factor in other consistent costs like road tax into the equation. A second-hand car that is more than 10 years old can cost you up to 50% more road tax than a PARF car. While this may not be reflected in its starting price, over time, it can quickly add up.

Check how much you need to pay for road tax, and when it is due so you don’t meet any nasty surprises when buying a second-hand car.

The Physical Inspection

Before you buy a car, you should always take the time to physically inspect it for any defects to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, and that the person you are buying from is upfront about the condition of the car.

The Engine

When you open the bonnet, look for a clean engine bay. There should not be any visible oil patches inside the engine bay or leaks under the car. When the car starts up, the engine should sound smooth when idle. A choppy sound can indicate problems with the engine, with can be costly to fix.

The Body

With the body, you’re looking for any defects that might indicate that the car has been in an accident before. Panels should be smooth and straight, without any major dents that might require costly workshop expertise to repair. Minor dings and scratches can also be used as a bargaining point to bring the cost down, provided you are okay with these small aesthetic imperfections. 

The Interior

The seats should be clean with no stubborn stains. You should also look out for worn seats or seatbelts that can be an indicator of how used the car is. Once again, whether or not you need to spruce up the interior after you buy the car is up to your personal tolerance for such things.

More importantly, make sure that all the car’s electronics are working. This ranges from wipers to dials, indicator lights, radio, electric windows, air conditioning, mirror adjusters, bluetooth and many more. Modern cars these days come with plenty of electronics, so take your time to check every single one and ensure they’re in working order.

The Drive

If the car you’re looking at has passed everything so far, now is the moment of truth! During the test drive, pay attention and ask yourselves these questions.

Acceleration: Is the acceleration smooth? Are there any jerky movements at certain speeds?

Steering: Is the steering light or heavy? How responsive is the car in relation to the movement of the steering wheel?

Suspension: How does it feel when the car goes over a hump? Is the ride smooth or can you feel every bump on the road?

Brakes: Are the brakes responsive? Is the force appropriate and gradual as you press down on the pedal?

Gearbox: Is it easy to shift up and down through the gears? Does the gearbox make any noise while shifting?

Get a Second Opinion

Last but not least, bring a car-savvy friend or family member down with you for a second opinion when viewing a used car. If you don’t have a friend or family member who knows cars well, you can also ask a professional workshop to give the car a detailed inspection and report for a peace of mind. 

For an easy way to understand and know what you’re buying, look no further than MS Carz. Here at MS Carz we understand that buying a car is more than just the vehicle, it’s about the whole package. We walk you through everything from choosing your model to financing options, COE bidding, collection and our comprehensive after-sales service ensures you get the support you need throughout your ownership. 

For a transparent, honest and smooth first-time car buying experience, drop us a message on our Facebook today.