What You Should Do Post Purchasing A Used Car? Essential Checklist

What matters is the post-purchase care, especially if you have purchased a used car. As we have mentioned in our Best Tips For Buying A Used Car In India article, buying a used car does offer a lot of advantages, but there's always a possibility of ending up with a car that needs additional and urgent repairs. To make your used car buying and initial ownership experience flawless, we have compiled a list of checks that should be done immediately.   

Documentation Completion First!

For a car to truly be yours, you need to become the legal owner! Hence, ensure that the vehicle Registration Certificate bears your name at the earliest. If you have purchased the car from an authorised or unorganised used car dealer, they will get the ownership transfer done. You can check with your local RTO to get an idea of the likely time frame for the process. 

If the car has a valid insurance policy, then you must get it transferred to your name. If the insurance policy has expired, then get a fresh one. In unfortunate circumstances, if your vehicle gets into an accident and the insurance policy isn’t in your name, then your claim will get rejected.

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Check The Fluid Levels Of Your Used Car 

Not all car owners ensure good care for their set of wheels. Fact is, quite a few people let go of their cars when there’s an expensive maintenance job coming up. So, post purchasing a used car, it is vital to get the basic maintenance work done and get all the fluids replaced. By replacing the engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid, you will be able to extract better performance and efficiency. It will also ensure the smooth running of the major parts and reduce breakdown possibilities. 

Replace Filters And Hoses If Necessary

Unless your used car gets checked by a mechanic, you can’t be absolutely sure of the mechanical condition of the car. In order to save some money on periodic maintenance, it could be possible that the previous owner might not have replaced some parts as per the manufacturer's recommended intervals. Usually, a vehicle’s air, fuel, and AC filters tend to be overworked owing to our dusty climatic conditions and at times, less-than-ideal fuel quality. Hence, get the filters changed and we recommend getting all the rubber hoses checked for any leaks.

Check Battery, Wipers, Bulbs & Brake Pads  

One of the common reasons for unexpected breakdowns is a dead battery. To prevent a bad start to your car ownership experience, get the battery health checked and if needed, replace it. Some owners aren’t aware and tend to continue using the vehicle’s wipers with worn-out blades, which end up scratching the windscreen. Check if the wipers have sufficient tread and are cleaning effectively, or else get them changed. 

While driving, the indicators warn other road users of our intention to change direction, the headlights ensure better visibility, and the tail lights warn others that we are reducing our speed. If these lights don’t function properly, the chances of an accident increase dramatically. Hence, get all the bulbs checked. Don’t miss out on getting the brake pads and rotors checked as their optimal performance is vital for making the car come to a stop quickly.   

Balance And Align Your Tyres

Always ensure that the car is running on a good set of tyres that have adequate tread. Worn-out tyres won’t generate sufficient grip, which will increase braking distances, chances of the vehicle spinning out under hard braking, chances of aquaplaning on wet roads, and reduce the ability to absorb impact from potholes and undulations. If the tyres have insufficient tread then you must get them changed. If they are in good condition, then get them balanced and aligned to improve the tyre life. 

Check For Rust And Treat The Area Accordingly

In some places, hard water or water with high mineral content is common. If the car was washed regularly with hard water, then there are higher chances of rust formation. Get the vehicle’s door, underbody, engine bay, and boot area checked for any early signs of rust. If there are signs of early-stage rusting, then get those bits painted to prevent it from spreading. Also, get the water drains checked for any deposits which usually tend to become rust epicenters.  

Interior Cleaning 

Usually, a vehicle’s interior gets abused a lot and is hardly taken care of. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles that haven’t been cleaned for months and are being used with a thick layer of dust across the door trims and dashboard! Getting your car’s interiors cleaned professionally will give it a new lease of life. The expense is totally worth it for it will make your vehicle feel like it just left the new car showroom. Also, good quality automobile cleaners and detailers can now be found across the country. 

Pro Tip: Head Out And Enjoy A Good Long Drive

Motoring is one of the top pleasures of life that everyone must experience. Once you have purchased your dream car, and got the checks done to ensure all bits are in perfect condition, then the only thing that remains is to go drive on a scenic road. Driving your perfect car on a great road is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Driving your own car is indeed therapy!

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