Buying a car?

Make sure you know what you are doing…

The first thing to do is to establish what sort of car will suit your requirements. When deciding
on the type of car you require, be sure to keep at the back of your mind, how long you intend to
remain with this car. If you wish to keep it for a long period of time, then you must make sure
that the car can suit all, or most of your needs for the forthcoming years ahead.

Once you have targeted your desired vehicle, make sure you talk to owners of similar cars,
whether strangers, friends, or family; ask them how difficult or easy the car is to maintain, what
is the mileage it gives and any major or minor problems it may have.
 
When you start searching for your car, make sure you have an idea of the market rate of the car.
In Kenya, cars are usually prices very much the same, the price may be of by a few thousands
due to less or more features depending on the individual car itself.
 
Upon going to see a particular car, you must do the following:
 
1) Know how many previous owners there have been, and whether it has been individual or
company maintained. Company maintained cars may not always be the best as imagined,
as they are used by many drivers, with different driving techniques, thus more wear and
tear, although you can be sure it has been taken care of mechanically. Individual
maintained vehicles will most probably have been driven by one or two people, thus less
wear and tear. However, some mechanical attention may have been ignored.

2) Check the condition of the paint and look for any indication that the car has been
repainted. This can be identified by different shades of the paint on the same panel of the
car. Accident cars can also be identified by measuring the gaps between panels. If there
are any inconsistencies with the gap between two panels, you can be sure that the panel
has been replaced or repaired

3) Examine the lower edges of the car body, behind the bumpers and around the rocker
panels below the doors for rusted-out spots. In addition, check door sills, floors and the
inside of the boot. Any car with sizable rusted-out areas should be rejected.

4) Check for badly worn tires, including the spare. Uneven wear on any tire may indicate
front-end trouble with the suspension.

5) Inspect the inside of the tailpipe. A light grey color indicates proper combustion, while a
dark, sooty appearance could mean excessive piston and ring wear.

6) Remove the radiator cap to see if the coolant is clean and the cap itself does not have any
rust. Check the back of the radiator for obvious leaks.

7) Pull out the transmission dipstick and sniff it. A burnt smell may mean excessive heat in
the transmission and possible extensive trouble. Gritty oil could mean sand in the engine.
8) Has the car been receiving maintenance? Check the stickers on the door or hanging
notices by the steering to determine regularity of upkeep.

9) Excessive wear on the pedals, upholstery and carpeting, could indicate a great deal of
mileage. Check the boot mat and the headliner -- especially near the doors -- for
excessive wear.

10) Check all windows, door locks and seat adjustments for ease of operation.

11) Step down on the brake pedal, maintaining a steady pressure for at least one minute. If
the pedal continues to sink, repairs may be needed.

12) Start the engine, listening for loud or unusual noises while the starter is operating and
when the engine begins functioning. Note whether all gauges and warning lights for oil
pressure and generator go on and that they go off after the engine starts.

13) Check headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn indicators for proper functioning

14) Take a test drive. A wobbly steering wheel and ride might mean bad ball joints,
misalignment of front wheels or the need for a wheel balancing job.

15) An automatic transmission should take hold promptly when put in gear, with no
slamming sound or lurching of the car.
16) Accelerate quickly from a low speed to about 80 kph so that the engine labors. If the car
picks up speed smoothly, with no missing or hesitation, the engine is most likely in good
condition.

17) Make several sharp turns at a low speed. The steering wheel should not stiffen up or
become difficult to turn. In a car with power steering, no squeaks, moans or a sudden
increase in effort needed to steer should occur.

18) On an open road with no following traffic, make several hard stops decelerating from
about 60 kph. On cars without anti-lock brakes, the pedal should remain high and solid. If
it becomes spongy or there is sudden swerving or grabbing, brake trouble is a definite
possibility. On cars with anti-lock brakes, some pedal vibration is normal under hard
stopping conditions.

19) Descend a long hill with your foot off the accelerator, or, in a flat area, decelerate from
50 kph to about 20 kph using the brake. Then step hard on the accelerator. If there is
heavy blue exhaust smoke, the car may need new piston rings or the engine may need an
overhaul.