There are many reasons why you could consider buying A second -hand carperhaps with 10 years or more, but ultimately, almost all are reduced to the budget. At a time when money is a problem at home, you have to walk along the thin line between the affordable and the reliable. The bad news: usually, the cheaper is a used car, the less reliable it is.
But you don’t need us to tell you that. However, you may need to know that you can find a used car with a decade behind them and that it is reasonably reliable. It is not easy, but it is feasible. It should be noted that nothing of this discussion applies to collection vehicles or other exotic cutting. Here we are focused on the transport of people and means. So forget about extravagant or image cars. That is another completely different topic that deserves its separate space.
Is a car too old with 10 years or more?
More than half of the value of a car evaporates in the first five years of property; As soon as he arrives at the concessionaire, in fact, he already loses some value. And a vehicle It does not stop depreciating until it clashes against that wall of the 10 years. So, the good news in your search for that car of a decade is that its remaining value will be diluted very slowly.
As progress along the old -age line (five, six, seven years, etc.), the key question is: Will it cost more to keep the car working (repair costs) of what will depreciate? Although there are sources that provide reliability estimates, most of the time it is a dice run. When buying a used car that has 10 years or more, it means that the main concerns are The purchase price and reliability.
Do not pay more than that 10 -year -old car really is. And choose a vehicle with a solid reputation of reliability. No car is too old if you meet those rules. Finally, remember that it costs more to maintain and repair certain brands than others. Changing the spark plugs or clutch in a 2001 Mercedes-Benz Class E will cost more than in a Ford Focus of the same year. We don’t want to shy away from Buy a brand Premiumbut inform yourself of the life you have had and what it costs a correct maintenance.
What should I look in an older used car?
As with the purchase of a new car, research is key when looking for that ideal second -hand model. Here, you face the egg or chicken dilemma. First find brands and models with a high score in reliability, or are you looking for cars for sale in your price range and then investigate your reliability? Any of the methods works, but do not leave stone without stirring.
Use internet freely to navigate evidence, reviews and owners of the vehicles that are considering. They are a good source of common problems and experiences with a brand and model. But remember, no matter how fantastic it can be a specific model, there is always someone who hates it. Determine the value of any option that you are considering, that on the network there are platforms to visualize the average value of a specific vehicle, as well as the reliability history over the years.
As your search is reduced to a few candidates, go for a history of them through dedicated entities such as Carfax or your own General Directorate of Traffic (This slightly more concise). Remember to request the invoices and the owner’s review book, if they are available, to see how the vehicle has been maintained. Someone who regularly car oil and leads it to repair it at regular intervals, this is another sign that the car is in good condition.
10 key parts to verify when buying a occasion car
- Abroad: Look for abolish and blows or signs of bad repair (unequal paint, GAPS panel).
- Engine: Inspect if there is oxide, oil leaks and how it sounds.
- Tires and brakes: Check the wear (which is unequal) and the depth of the rolling band, as well as the state of the discs and brake pads.
- Suspension: Balance the car pushing it from the roof and see how the composure recovers: if it does quickly and smoothly, it is fine; If it does so bouncing a lot, the suspension is spent.
- Crystals: Do the windshield or windows have peck cracks?
- Upholstery: Inspect the upholstery to see if it is worn or broken. Notice if you have spots.
- Seating: Check if the seats are correctly adjusted your taste.
- Trunk: Look at if there is oxide under the carpet. Any brand could be a sign that moisture has been strengthened.
- Air conditioning system: Does the air conditioning work and flows correctly? How about heat?
Should I look for a mechanic to inspect a used car?
You probably don’t want to do it. But before making a purchase, ask one to do the favor of making an inspection. Even if things seem good, a professional opinion offers value. Of course, it is to add a step to the process and can cost between 100 and 300 euros, but I could save you a lot of money in the long term. There are even online services with mechanics that will go where you have the car. Think about it, it is better to know from the beginning what the car needs in place of being surprised in surprise.
In conclusion
There are some decent and reliable used cars with 10 years or more in the second -hand market. But finding one requires investigating a lot. You can think about it a couple of times if the car owner does not agree that you want to do a dynamic test and an inspection by a mechanic. The market is wide and there is always a broken one for a riot. And if the life of the car in question that you are looking for has been good, with a single owner (or several) that has taken good maintenance up to date, you have many ballots to succeed.
