With fuel on the increase and the cost of living always on the rise, many South Africans are looking at ways to decrease expenses.<\/p>\n
One of these ways is buying second-hand when it comes to cars.<\/p>
\u201cIt\u2019s so important to buy with your head and not your heart,\u201d warned Dewald Ranft, chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI).<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want to end up spending more in the long run because you have made a decision based on aesthetics, status or performance rather than the sound running of the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>
He said it doesn\u2019t pay to get overly emotional over the vehicle you have in mind, as this could cause you to neglect doing the necessary research, checks and balances to ensure the purchase makes logical sense.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeeping your wits about you may just prevent serious buyer\u2019s remorse later on,\u201d said Ranft.<\/p>\n
One of the first warning signs you should look for in a used car is dirty oil.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemove the dip-stick and take a look, if the oil is black, walk away.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, maybe the thought of owning this particular car makes your heart beat faster, but this is exactly the kind of emotional decision you want to avoid.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake the car on a test drive too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf something feels off, have it checked again.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Tips to prevent battery hassles during the colder months<\/a><\/p>\n Car coolant needs to be checked once a year \u2013 here\u2019s why\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good idea to break hard during your test drive.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the car swerves when you stop this could mean structural damage.<\/p>\n \u201cUnless you are prepared to spend a lot of money fixing the vehicle, my advice once again would be to walk away.\u201d<\/p>\n The reality is that consumers are often faced with problems after a purchase, which could have been identified and corrected upon proper scrutiny at the time they were buying the vehicle.<\/p>\n These consequences then end up being the consumer\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n \u201cThe RMI\u2019s consumer affairs department has many cases on record where consumers have bought cars too hastily and only realise later that the checks and balances where not done.<\/p>\n \u201cA common trend we have noted is youngsters buying high performance cars that are out of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket warrantees, and then realising later that the running expenses far exceed their budgets,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n Here are some important and relevant checks to make before you buy your next car:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Service history authentication.<\/p>\n \u2022 Checking what guarantees and\/or warrantees exist.<\/p>\n \u2022 If aftermarket warrantees\/service plans do exist, taking time to read and understand the conditions.<\/p>\n \u2022 Checking when was the last service done and when last the cambelt was changed.<\/p>\n \u2022 Combined fuel consumption stats.<\/p>\n \u2022 Accident records\/checks.<\/p>\n \u2022 Finance agreement satisfaction.<\/p>\n \u2022 Interest rate.<\/p>\n \u2022 Understanding balloon payments and the terms of agreement.<\/p>\n \u2022 Being clear on the \u201cextras\u201d in the finance agreement.<\/p>\n \u2022 Investigating the general condition of the car, tyres, spare wheel, spare key etc.<\/p>\n \u2022 Mileage verification.<\/p>\n Ranft suggested, if permissible, take the car for a visual report and test by an accredited MIWA workshop.<\/p>\n \u201cOtherwise you\u2019re free to contact MIWA ahead of making a commitment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can provide the necessary tips to consumers ahead of making a purchase and help you to ask the right questions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n