5 Things To Inspect When Buying A Locally-Used Car
The government just raised the import duty from 25% to 35% for foreign-used cars. This price hike will likely shift the attention of buyers to the locally-used car market. But buying a locally-used car isn’t always a walk in the park. If you don’t do your due diligence, you’re likely to end up with a… View Article
The government just raised the import duty from 25% to 35% for foreign-used cars. This price hike will likely shift the attention of buyers to the locally-used car market. But buying a locally-used car isn’t always a walk in the park. If you don’t do your due diligence, you’re likely to end up with a lemon instead of a peach 😜. When you’re buying a car, there are certain things you should check to make sure you get the best value for your money.
Besides a test drive to get a feel of the car’s handling, acceleration, braking, and overall comfort, you should have the vehicle’s systems inspected so you can make an informed purchasing decision. A basic look at the interior and exterior condition will give you signs of damage or wear and tear. But an in-depth inspection will provide valuable insights into how well the car will serve you in the long term.
These are the five things you should inspect when buying a locally-used car:
1. Engine
The engine is what keeps the car running, literally. A good-looking car without a functioning engine is nothing but a souvenir. It won’t take you anywhere and will keep stalling the few times you’ll manage to get it out of the parking lot.
However, you can’t determine the health of an engine by just looking at it. A test drive may give you an indication of how “healthy” the engine is, but it’s not enough. You should have the car checked by a qualified mechanic. They’ll check for leaks, oil level, head gasket condition, and exhaust smoke. At Peach Cars, we go above the basic checks and measure the engine power using an engine check device that you won’t find in any other locally-used car dealership in Kenya.
2. Gearbox
The gearbox is a good indicator of how well the seller maintained the car. A faulty or worn-out gearbox will greatly impact your driving experience. You’ll experience jerky gear shifts, grinding noises, and difficulty in shifting gears. It’s also a safety risk to drive a car with a faulty gearbox.
Checking the gearbox when inspecting a car to buy is essential to ensuring a smooth driving experience. Always feel and listen to the smoothness of the gear change for both automatic and manual gearboxes
3. Braking System
Brake failure is among the top 10 causes of fatal accidents in Kenya. Between December 5- 13, 2022, two fatalities were as a result of brake failure. A functional braking system is essential to a car’s safety on the road.
A braking system inspection will help you to lower the risk of a collision on the road. You’ll be able to identify any potential braking problems and have them addressed before buying the car. If you want to identify braking system issues, you should inspect the following components:
| Braking System Inspection Checklist | |
| Brake fluid level | Brake drum |
| Brake discs | Brake lining |
| Brake pads | Parking brake |
| Brake pipes leaks | |
The most common signs that the braking system needs repairs are diminished steering response and warning lights on your dashboard. But you should also look out for squealing noises when braking, poor stopping power, and uneven or low-level tire wear.
4. Steering and Suspension Systems
Just like the braking system, the steering and suspension systems are very crucial to your safety when driving. You definitely do not want to compromise on these systems when buying a car as they ensure a smooth and comfortable driving experience. It would be smart to have the two systems checked for leaks, looseness, noises, wear and tear of the components, alignment, and stability of the steering on the road.
5. Tyre Condition
Inspecting the tire condition when buying a locally used car is crucial for safety, performance, and legal compliance. It can also give you insights into the car’s maintenance by the current owner. Worn-out tires point to a poor maintenance record. They are prone to blowouts, which can be dangerous, especially at high speeds. If the tires are in poor condition, you may need to replace them soon after purchasing the car.
Buying a Car? Inspect it the Peach Way
If you’re buying a car from a private seller, we can help you to inspect these five components and other major systems in the car including the electrical, HVAC, and cooling systems.
Our inspection is done using state-of-the-art tools and equipment, including a full Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) and an engine check device, exclusive to Peach Cars. The engine check device uses Peach’s proprietary-built software that gives you an in-depth overview of the engine’s health. We use a 225-point inspection system that ensures that our inspection methods are comprehensive, best-in-class, and benchmarked against global standards. Have your car inspected at Peach Cars today.