Ⅰ. Key factors in buying used cars
First, we have to clarify our needs and budget. Do you want to buy a family car, or is an SUV more convenient? Is it mainly for urban commuting or long-distance travel? These will affect your choice of vehicle type, displacement, etc. At the same time, it is also important to determine a reasonable budget range to avoid financial pressure due to exceeding the budget.
Next, we have to study the market and models. Understand the current popular used car models and their market price trends. You can obtain relevant information through car websites, forums and professional car evaluation reports. In this way, you know the approximate price range and will not be cheated by the seller.
Ⅱ. How to choose a high-quality used car
1. Appearance inspection
In terms of appearance, we have to pay attention to whether the paint is even, whether there are obvious scratches and repair marks. It is also important to check whether the gaps between the doors, hood and trunk are even, which can reflect whether the vehicle has experienced a major accident. The degree of wear of the tires should also be noted. Uniform tire tread depth and no uneven wear are usually a good performance.
2. Interior inspection
In terms of interior, check whether the seats are worn or damaged, whether the display of the instrument panel is normal, and whether the various buttons and functions are intact. It is also critical to have odors in the car, such as moldy or smoke, which may indicate that the vehicle is not in a good environment.
3. Engine inspection
The engine is the core component of the vehicle. After starting the engine, listen for abnormal noises, such as knocking sounds, friction sounds, etc. It is also important to observe the color of the exhaust emissions. Under normal circumstances, it should be colorless or light white. If it is black or blue exhaust, there may be engine failure.
4. Historical record verification
For the historical records of the vehicle, we must carefully check them. Including vehicle maintenance records, accident records, etc. You can query relevant information through the vehicle's VIN code. These records can help you understand the vehicle's usage and potential problems.
5. Test drive experience
Test drive is an essential part. Feel the vehicle's acceleration performance, whether the gear shift is smooth, whether the brakes are sensitive, and the comfort of the suspension system. During the test drive, pay attention to whether the vehicle has abnormal noises, deviations, etc. during driving.
6. Price comparison
Price is also a key factor to consider when choosing a used car. Compare the prices of vehicles of the same model, year, and similar condition to ensure that the price you pay is reasonable.
Ⅲ. Market status of electric cars, gasoline cars and parallel imported cars
Speaking of electric cars, gasoline cars and parallel imported cars, the market has been quite lively recently. Let's talk about electric cars first. Recently, due to non-market means of capacity expansion, the number of electric cars on the market has increased sharply. Although electric cars are environmentally friendly and energy-saving, we should also pay attention to distinguishing quality when purchasing. Some unscrupulous merchants use inferior batteries to reduce costs, which is a potential safety hazard.
Let's talk about used gasoline cars and parallel imported cars. The market order of these two has been somewhat chaotic recently. On the one hand, with the saturation of the domestic automobile market, the sales pressure of parallel imported cars has increased, and many car dealers have to reduce prices in order to realize cash turnover. On the other hand, the domestic price war has also affected the parallel imported car market, resulting in a sharp drop in the prices of many models.
However, we should keep our eyes open when purchasing. Although parallel imported cars are cheap, we should also pay attention to their quality and after-sales service. Some parallel imported cars may have quality problems, and the after-sales service is not as perfect as that of formal channels.
Ⅳ. The difference in sales price and insurance premium between electric cars and gasoline cars
Let's talk about the difference in sales price and insurance premium between electric cars and gasoline cars. Many people think that the charging fee of electric cars is cheap, so the overall cost of use will be lower. But in fact, the selling price of electric cars is usually much higher than that of gasoline cars, and the insurance cost may also be higher. So, you should calculate this account clearly when buying.
For example, suppose a electric car is priced at 200,000 yuan, while the price of a gasoline car of the same level is 150,000 yuan. Although the charging fee of electric cars is cheap, the insurance cost of electric cars may be about 5,000 yuan higher than that of gasoline cars. In this way, the overall cost of using electric cars is not necessarily lower than that of gasoline cars.
Moreover, the battery life of electric cars is also a problem. Although the current battery technology is becoming more and more advanced, the battery life is still limited. Once the battery life expires, the cost of replacing the battery is an astronomical figure. So, this should also be considered when buying an electric car.
Ⅴ. How to ensure that you buy a cost-effective second-hand car
So how to ensure that you buy a cost-effective second-hand car? In addition to the appearance inspection, interior inspection, engine inspection, history verification, test drive experience and price comparison mentioned above, I have a few suggestions:
1. Choose a reliable second-hand car dealer or individual seller: If it is a dealer, understand its reputation and after-sales service; if it is an individual seller, try to understand its vehicle usage habits and the source of the vehicle.
2. Ask a professional third-party testing agency to conduct an inspection: If you are not sure about the condition of the vehicle, you can ask a professional third-party testing agency to conduct an inspection. Although it will cost a certain amount of money, it can provide a more authoritative and accurate evaluation report.
3. Read the contract terms carefully: Before signing the contract, read the terms carefully, clarify the vehicle condition, price, warranty scope and other important information, and ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
In short, buying a used car requires patience and carefulness, and you need to be fully prepared to choose a cost-effective and satisfactory vehicle. I hope today's sharing will be helpful to everyone!
If you want to purchase used cars in China, choose APT as your preferred partner. APT is a professional vehicle and parts testing, inspection, certification technology company, APT has professional talents and efficient service team, a variety of advanced inspection/testing equipment, distributed in the inspection sites across China, and obtained the international ISO17020 and ISO9000 qualification authorization. APT provides a thorough inspection/test/test of 20 major items and 150 minor items for the car you are interested in, ensuring that you have a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle. In addition to the inspection report, we also provide you with photos and videos.
APT's commitment is to do only the most authentic vehicle inspection.
If you need me, please contact me at apt@aptcertification.com