With nearly 6-million people calling it home, Limpopo is a vast expanse of vegetation, mountains and rivers, one of which gives the province its name. Buying a car in the area can, as with all areas in the country, be filled with trials and traps, unscrupulous individuals and dealers trying to make a quick buck. You will hear horror stories of deals that have gone sour, arrangements that have turned bad, and all the money lost in the process. It's easy to buy a lemon, finding a clean car for a good price is a little harder.
Related: 11 Tips for Taking a Test Drive
Many people are put off of buying a car for this very reason and some will suffer financial implications by buying new, rather than used just because it's easier to deal with a new car purchase rather than a pre-owned one. We can help arm you with some tips and tricks to help you avoid such headaches when shopping for a used car in Durban and its surroundings.
5 tips when shopping for a car
1. Know your limitations
It's easy to fall for the bait, an additional service plan, an extended warranty, unnecessary extras or even just up-selling you into a car you want but you can't afford. Know what your budget is and stick to it. Make sure that you have a hard cap on the vehicle price and that whatever money you have left over in the month is able to pay for fuel and running costs ie: insurance. There's no point in having the car and not being able to afford the fuel to use it.
2. Research, research, research
This doesn't only apply to the vehicle you're wanting to buy, it goes for the dealership too. A few minutes of Googling and you should be able to find reviews and reports on the dealership you are considering buying from. Check Facebook for any mention of the dealership and scan sites like HelloPeter.com for reports on what the experience was like. Bear in mind that many people also only turn to the internet when they need to complain, but you should be able to make an educated guess from what you find. It also pays to ask around, friends and family, Facebook groups and the likes as to which dealerships have provided good service and products in the past.
3. Service histories
Vehicles with a missing service history or a suspect service history should be avoided. Older vehicles don't need to have a full-service history with the agency or dealership, but an RMI-approved dealership history is good enough. Also look for the intervals, if the vehicle was serviced several times in short succession or there are large gaps in the history, walk away.
4. Vehicle checks
Vehicle checks can extend past the test drive. If a dealer is reluctant to give you a test drive or keeps the test drive route fairly short, then you have to ask what they're trying to hide. If they're serious about the sale, they will allow you to test drive the vehicle for at least 15-minutes to allow the car to warm up. If you're satisfied with the test drive, ask about a multipoint inspection. Most dealerships will be prepared to send the car to a vehicle inspection service Centre for a full report on the mechanical. It's also worth investigating the vehicle's history. This can be done through services like .
5. Trust your gut
Intuition is a powerful tool. If the deal feels wrong or at any time it is harder than it needs to be, walk away. Ignore the "bargain of a lifetime" cries and separate your heart from your head. If the deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. One can often be swayed by a smooth-talking salesman into making a rash decision - take some time and sleep on it and don't succumb to the pressure, especially if the salesperson is pushing for a deposit. If it is meant to be, it will be.
