It is Estimated that new cars lose up to 20% of their value the moment they leave the showroom, so it’s no surprise that second-hand shopping is so popular.However if you’re buying a second-hand – especially from a private seller – it’s vital that you do your due diligence Running a car history check is cheap, quick, and the green flag you need to go ahead..

1. Viewing the Vehicle in Person

Viewing a car in person can save you stress and costs down the road. Not only can you verify photos but you’ll get a 360° degree of the vehicle’s condition. When viewing the vehicle in person you should check among the following crucial things:

• Does the car have its original Logbook? If present, the previous owners have likely taken good care of the vehicle, and you’ll have the necessary instructions should you need them.
• Check the tyre tread: the legal minimum depth in our country is 1.20mm. Do they (tyre threads) need to be replaced? has this been added into the cost?
• Check the Vehicle Mileage: Compare the advertised vehicle mileage and the actual vehicle mileage. If the mileage does not match, that’s a red flag that the vehicle lifespan is coming to an end.
• Vehicle Body Condition, Coach work, Electrical and mechanical systems.
• Does the seller allow for Road test drive?A good road test will allow you to ascertain whether a vehicle meets your personal requirements. You will soon know if the performance is what you’re after, and if the vehicle offers the comfort that you’re looking for.

After inspecting the vehicle in person and making sure you are satisfied, next step is to check it history. This is very crucial step. Before transferring any money to the seller find a place, access internet and check history of the vehicle.

Why you should check vehicles’s History

Checking on the vehicle’s history before going ahead with its purcahse assits you to:

• Know if the vehicle has been stolen
• Ascertain if the information been given by the seller is correct.
• Know if the vehicle has been used as collateral.
• Acertain the correct vehicle mileage: One thing to watch out for when you’re looking at a used vehicle is whether or not the mileage seems too good to be true. While it’s illegal to change a car’s odometer reading, sometimes sellers will roll it back to increase the value of the car.