Step-by-Step Guide for First Time Car Buyers
Last Updated : March 25, 2016, 8:07 a.m.
It is natural to get ecstatic while you buy car for the first time as its possession brings a whole lot of pride and esteem. You dream of having the car, so you start cutting your day-to-day expenses on restaurants, movies, hangouts and plenty more. After making all the sacrifices, you finally manage to buy the car one day. You become happy and feel at the top of the world with the key of the car in your hand. It’s good to cherish such moments as they do not come so often. But it is even more important to pay attention to the measures that can help you defeat the fraudulent intentions of the dealer from whom you get the possession of the car. Following such measures mentioned below will prevent you from getting cheated while buying the car.
Do check Vehicle Identification Number
Don’t get influenced by the steep discount offering from car dealers on the older version of the vehicle that you choose, particularly in the first quarter of the financial year as they want the unsold inventory to get cleared quickly. So do check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) wherein you can find the manufacturing year of the car. You can see VIN being marked in engine bay. Ask your dealer to provide Form 22 that contains every single detail of the car that you would want to buy.
Ensure you inspect car before the delivery
As most of the car showrooms get packed during the festive seasons, it is possible that most of you would not be able to pay attention to pre-delivery inspection of the vehicle. If you do not undertake inspection, then there are chances that your car will have certain defects, which will be quite frustrating.
Don’t fall prey to hidden charges
Ensure you scrutinise your bill to detect hidden charges in it. There is always the possibility of incremental charges that can irate you. You must visit the website of Regional Transport Office (RTO) to know how taxes and insurance premium amounts are calculated. Please note that handling charges are not valid. If any extra charges are levied, do ask the dealer to provide calculations of those.
Check your documents carefully
You need to be extremely careful while buying the car as any negligence may make you suffer. Ensure you do due diligence while checking documents like registration certificate (RC), temporary registration certificate (Form 19), VAT invoice, etc. Do check for the correct entry of your name, vehicle number, chassis number and engine number in the records. Moreover, you should ask for original PUC certificate, insurance certificate, user manual and original warranty cards for components such as stereo, tyres and battery.
Check operation car systems and accessories
A new car is bound to have a lot of accessories, but it is possible that most of them may not be in proper working condition. Please ensure they are in top order while you buy the car. Do check the functioning of central lock, camera, music system and parking sensors.
Ask for engine oil and coolant level
You must ask the dealer to show you the engine oil and coolant level. If the levels are found to be low, then it can adversely affect the operation of the car. Also you need to get a fully functional spare wheel from the dealer.