THE time of the year has arrived, when most of us are eager and perhaps even have a checklist to balik kampung in style.
This year's Raya would also be extra meaningful, as we approached the phase of endemicity and nearly a two-year hiatus of not celebrating this festivity with loved ones both near and far.
With everyone traveling a lot more after the government's announcement to transition to endemic phase, probably one of the items in your checklist would be to balik kampung with a different, or upgraded, swanky car.
If you are buying a pre-owned car, you may be unsure of the car's quality. Is the car as good internally (engine performance, suspension, brakes, etc.) as it looks externally?
Here we share 5 essential tips when you purchase a pre-owned car, so you can save yourself from any potential financial heartaches.
1. Ensure That the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and other essential information are the same
While documentation can be too tedious for some, there are important details that you need to note especially when you are buying a pre-owned car.
It might even be helpful to have a physical or digital checklist with you, so you are reminded of the type of car information to check before making a purchase decision.
For starters, it is very important to ensure the VIN on the car that you are buying is the same on the car title.
A car VIN is like our IC number, which is unique for each car and if you find both numbers to be different then this is a huge red flag. It also pays to check the VIN on the car.
Depending on your car model, you can find the VIN in various locations, and this includes, in the engine bay, B-Pillar, under the front seat, or in the boot.
You may also locate them behind the windshield sometime. This is to ensure that the number has not been tampered with so as to prevent yourself buying a potentially stolen car.
Some other useful information to check would be the engine number, Puspakom report (to ensure the car has been inspected and certified), a copy of the vehicle registration card and B5 report (Transfer of Ownership).
These might seem tedious and troublesome but going through all these at the early stage prior to your purchase will save you a great deal of trouble in the future.
2. Always good to physically examine the car yourself
Beyond ensuring accuracy of information both on the car and essential ownership transfer documents, it gives an added assurance to also take the time and examine the car yourself before deciding.
This comes in handy as you need to know what is not available in the advertisement or inspection report (if provided), such as are all external damages accounted for, is the mileage reported to be the actual figure or otherwise?
You have the right to request a test drive as well, because how else will you know if the car functions well? Throughout the drive, take time to observe for any suspension issue or weird sounds coming from the car that might lead to serious complications.
A physical examination of the car will always give you the opportunity to check the car and serves as confirmation that what you have seen in the report is the same car that you will be getting.
3. Research for your own safety
It is always good to at least know more about the car that you want to buy, by doing a comparison on the data available for a specific car model provided either by online platforms or car dealers, so you can gauge how transparent and extensive they are with information.
If ever a dealer is reluctant to provide you with additional information on the car such as Puspakom inspection report, you might want to be wary of the legitimacy of the car being sold.
Being sensitive towards such areas will help you avoid falling into any unwanted scenarios of buying a pre-owned car that might have been an illegal car.
4. Are you protected when something happens?
After sales programs or packages will be just as important as checking the car and documentation for accurate information.
These allow you to enter into a hire-purchase agreement with peace of mind. Be it a 5-day money-back guarantee, or a 1-year extended warranty, you need to be sure that your purchase offers a safety blanket should anything happen.
It also makes a huge difference if your insurance coverage ensures a 24-hour claim duration and round-the-clock customer support, as added assurance especially when you are traveling.
If you have experience claiming insurance due to an untoward incident, you would be familiar by how tedious and inconvenient the entire process be.
In this case, if the pre-owned car you purchased comes with an extended warranty that is managed by an insurance provider, this makes it very convenient and saves you all the unnecessary hassle.
If your unfortunate event requires your car to be towed to a workshop, then the flexibility of choice to select from a list of service workshops available nationwide becomes very helpful.
Just like how we will opt for electrical products with good after-sales service, it is even more crucial to have good after-sales support when buying a car.
On top of the warranties that online platforms or dealers will offer, it is also advisable to check on the insurance status of the pre-owned car that you are bound to purchase, as driving a car without insurance is illegal in Malaysia.
5. What can you do if an unfortunate event happens?
Let's consider that maybe at this stage, you have done all the necessary research, physical examination of the car and the after sales support, yet still experience an unwanted incident such as purchasing a stolen car, what happens next?
This is when having a reputable seller, a brand that has positive reviews from its customers like Carsome, can make a tremendous difference in sorting unwanted issues.
Established pre-owned online car selling platforms such as Carsome have an end-to-end customer support ecosystem that comprises a strong after sales team, a suite of partners, and tools to assist you every step of the way.
Without a doubt, as customers we want to be assured of the support provided for any untoward incident and if you purchased a pre-owned car from trustworthy sellers, at the very least you can rest in confidence that they will have your back when the need arises.
Safety for yourself and your family is top priority
While we are elated for the coming Raya when it is possible again to celebrate this festive period together, it is also good to be mindful and protect yourself especially when you are about to make a financially important decision, such as buying a pre-owned car.
There might also be a lot of exciting offers and promotions for you to choose from when deciding where to purchase a pre-owned car, but always remember to have these tips to help you in your search so you can travel in stail, but also with peace of mind.