Things to consider while buying used car:Beaware of the ‘Cheap Car’ trap; why second hand cars can actually cost you more

For a long time, people in India had only one rule when buying a used car: find the lowest price. Whether buying from a local dealer or an online platform, a cheap price tag always attracted the biggest crowd. But experts say this is a mistake. Buying a used car based only on a low price can actually cost you much more in the long run. The ‘Cheap Car’ trap When we see a very cheap car, we get excited. We want to buy it quickly before someone else does. Because of this excitement, we ignore other imperative things to consider. We ignore a strange noise in the engine or a scratch on the body. We believe the seller when they say, “It is a minor issue.” But once you buy the car and drive it home, you face real problems A cheap car often has hidden issues. The brakes might have become rusty, the air conditioning might be broken, or the suspension might be damaged. Sellers are very good at hiding these problems during a short test drive. Once the sale is made, the seller will not help you. You are left alone with huge repair bills. The money you saved on the cheap price is quickly spent on repairs. What makes a used car truly valuable? If price is not the most important thing, what is? Business experts say buyers should look for following five things: A Real Inspection: The car must be checked by professionals, not just by eye. A Warranty: The seller should promise to fix major parts, like the engine, if they break. Repair Help: A promise to fix any small issues that come up right after you buy the car. An Easy Return Policy: The freedom to return the car and get your money back if you do not like it. Long-Term Protection: Safety plans that protect your car for years, not just days. How new platforms are solving the problem Today, organized online platforms are changing how Indians buy used cars. They want to make buying a used car as safe as buying a new one. For example, companies like Cars24 are offering following new benefits to protect buyers: 300-Point Check: Every car is fully tested by experts before it is sold. They check the engine, the lights, the brakes, and the paperwork. 30-Day Free Repairs: If any problem comes up in the first 30 days (or 1,500 kilometers), the platform fixes it for free. 30-Day Money-Back Return: If you do not like the car, you can return it within 30 days and get your money back. 1-Year Warranty: This covers the most expensive parts of the car, like the engine and gearbox. Lifetime Warranty: Buyers can even choose a plan that protects the car for up to 12 years or 1,50,000 kilometers. A cheap car from a local dealer might look like a great deal today. But if it breaks down tomorrow, it becomes a very expensive mistake. The Indian used car market is changing. Buyers are no longer just looking for the cheapest car. They are looking for peace of mind. Before you buy your next used car, do not just ask: “How much money will I save today?” Instead, ask: “How much money will I have to spend tomorrow?” E20 fuel in older used cars : Is it a new worry for buyers? The used car market in India is booming, with people buying more second-hand cars than ever before. However, as the government rolls out E20 petrol—a mix of 80% regular petrol and 20% ethanol—buyers are reportedly facing a hidden problem. It is being widely claimed that many older cars weren’t built to run on this new fuel blend, leading to fears of engine damage and lower mileage. When did petrol pump owners start roll out of E20 fuel E20 fuel (a blend of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol) was initially introduced in India on 6 February, 2023, according to PIB. E20 fuel is now the standard petrol variant supplied across virtually all of India’s one lakh petrol pumps. The transition to E20 fuel has happened quickly, leaving many owners of older vehicles worried. Most vehicles manufactured before April 2023 were not designed to be E20-compatible. According to a survey by ‘LocalCircles’, 43% of probable car buyers deferred their decision to purchase a second-hand car, fearing the incompatibility of older cars with e20 fuel. Should you not buy older used car because of fear of damage due to ethanol-blended petrol? If a buyer runs an e-10 or e-5 complaint vehicle on e20 fuel, then, the mileage of the car can drop 4% to 8% -Saharsh Damani, CEO, Fada According to Damani, all vehicles manufactured in India from 2018 onwards are e20-compliant. So, if the used car is manufactured in 2018 or afterwards, then, the buyer need not worry as the mileage will not reduce. But if the vehicle’s manufactuing year is before 2018, then, running that car on e20 fuel might reduce its mileage by 4%. He adds that cars that were manufactured before 2018 were either e5 or e10 compliant. Using e20 fuel in these vehicles might reduce mileage by 4% to 8%. Other precautions to take: According to Damani, whatever problem car owners have faced due to the use of e20 fuel in e5 or e10 complaint vehicles, the real reason is that such users must have not given their cars for servicing from time to time. He adds that it is this very reason that such users have faced problems. And not solely because the vehicles were non-compliant.