Most important thing to look for when shopping the used car market

If you’re shopping for a used car in South Africa, the most important thing to look for is an up-to-date service and maintenance record, according to MotorHappy, a motor management solutions and car insurance options company.

Engine power decreases over the lifespan of a vehicle, and a full service history therefore indicates that a car was properly maintained, said Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy.

“When shopping for a used car, find the right balance between age and mileage, because these two factors will impact a car’s overall condition and price,” said Smit.

“Understanding each of the two in relation to your needs is vital when making a purchase decision.”

Mileage affects price

A vehicle with high mileage will generally cost less on the used market as they are more prone to wear and tear, and as a result is more likely to break down.

A reasonable mileage ranges between 15,000-20,000km per year, with anything beyond this considered excessive. A five-year-old car, for example, should preferably not have over 100,000km on the clock.

However, Smit said while lower mileage might seem like the best indicator of a bargain, this is not always the case.

“In most cases, avoid purchasing a car with a relatively old age and incredibly low mileage. The car might have been idle for too long. Cars that haven’t been used in a while often tend to need a few repairs to get them going again,” he said.

Newer cars generally come with better technologies and safety systems as manufacturers invest billions in research and development to improve their offerings year on year.

“Of course, the newer model will most certainly cost a bit more, but it’s also almost always the better buy,” said Smit.

Smit used the popular VW Golf hatchback as an example.

“While a 2018 and 2020 Golf might seem identical in appearance, the latter is most certainly the better machine. The car comes with more advanced safety features, a better infotainment system, and is also more fuel economic.”

Additionally, the year of registration is important to take note of as two identical cars with the same mileage, but with a year’s difference in registration, could be priced very differently.

“In fact, the difference in price could be up to R50,000,” said Smit.

As such, it is recommended that you look for the newest possible used car in your budget that has on average done under 20,000km per year, and that has a complete service and maintenance record.