Used cars are a brilliant way into the world of car ownership, especially since COE prices have continuously broken new highs.

And there appears to be no slowdown in the rate of increase any time soon. This further drives up the demand for used cars, and dealers would be keen on shifting stock as soon as possible to capitalise.

Whilst it can be hard to diagnose deep-rooted issues without the expertise of a trained professional, there are a couple of measures and checks you can do to make sure that you do not end up with a lemon.

Here are a few key pointers to take note of before pulling the trigger!

Service History Check

Make sure that the car has been serviced regularly. A long works/parts list isn’t out of the ordinary around a car’s major servicing schedule, especially if the parts ordered are consumable items (brake pads, clutch, etc).

Missed or skipped services may increase the rate of wear in the engine as a result of sludge buildup. Extensive bills for bodywork are another cue for the car buyer to walk away, as they may harbour hidden damage that may require costly rectification down the line.

Mismatched/Ill-Fitting Body Panels

This is the first (and possibly the most obvious) sign that a car was involved in a collision of some sort. Body shops use a variety of mechanical jigs and hand tools to remove and replace damaged panels.

The paintwork laid over the repair is then blended into the surrounding panels that were not damaged in the collision. When done properly, these repairs are undetectable. However, not all body shops fix the cars properly. Uneven panel gaps and poor paint finish are signs that the car you’re looking at has been involved in an accident – it is best that you avoid these cars.

Engine That is Warm/Already Running

There are issues that only present themselves on a cold start. If a dealer opts to start the engine before you arrive, there is a possibility that they are doing so to mask issues with the starting circuitry, or even a rattling timing chain.

Keep your eyes peeled on if there are any fluid leaks and odd rattles from the engine, or smoke from the exhaust. The mechanical gubbins under the bonnet are complicated, and even minor issues can end up costing you a lot of cash to rectify.

Follow Your Gut

Avoid shopping with your heart, and always view with your head. It is easy to get carried away when viewing a car that you’ve spent months (or even years) saving up for. When in doubt, follow your gut. If you sense that something is amiss, do not hesitate to walk away.

Afterall, it is better to err on the side of caution, than to be stuck with a lemon that you’d struggle to get rid of. You can always make lemonade obviously, but why should that be an option when you can prevent life from giving you the lemons in the first place?

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