Where to look for a used car
“A second-hand car can be purchased from an official dealer or from a private owner. Andrey Grishakov, director of the used car department of the Avtodom and AutoSpetsCenter group of companies, said that the most reliable way to buy would be to contact an official car dealer.
Auto experts if the buyer chooses the second option to recommend Buy a used car from people you know you can trust. If this is not possible, it is better to search for cars on major websites.
Which used car should you choose
With data According to marketing agency NAPI, the most popular passenger cars on the market as of August 2024 were cars over 15 years old (40%). The best-selling domestic model was the 2011 Lada Priora, and the best-selling foreign model was the 2008 Ford Focus.
However, when choosing a used car, experts recommend considering unpopular brands or models. According to them, buyers should first pay attention to the technical condition of the car.
“It’s better to avoid buying a car,
It is used in taxi, car sharing and delivery services.
When buying a second-hand car, you need to focus on its technical condition, which relates to the working conditions of the previous owner,” said Grishakov.
At the same time, experts say that just because a car has a high mileage does not necessarily mean that the car is in poor condition.
“It is believed that the higher the mileage, the more wear the car has, which means the less its remaining life.
There is not always a direct relationship between mileage and vehicle condition.
– says Roman Titov, Deputy General Manager of Used Cars at Avilon AG.
According to him, a lot depends on the operating conditions of the car, the regularity of technical inspection, further repairs and many other factors that can be called maintenance of the car. Titov warns that buying such a used car is risky if the vehicle has low mileage, but has had several accidents and does not have a confirmed service history.
How to control a car
Fraudulent schemes are common in the secondary market when the mileage of a car is changed before sale. But there are ways to find out the actual odometer readings of a used car.
“Inspect the paint and windshield.
Chip and sandblast marks should indicate mileage.
Also check the steering wheel, pedal assembly, seat covers and check the condition of the chassis and engine (extraneous noise, smooth transmission shifting),” – recommended After-sales service director of Avtodom Altufyevo Roman Timashov.
He added that more complex options for determining real mileage include checking the consistency of gauge and engine hours in various blocks, as well as checking mileage and visits to service stations through special programs and applications.
“The true mileage guarantee is a transparent ownership history,
Timashov said that it is worth visiting dealer centers to replace spare parts, as well as having a professional inspection at a service station.
Also, when buying a used car, you should check the history of the vehicle using its VIN number. You need to pay attention to the accident information, the number of vehicle owners, and you also need to find out whether the vehicle is wanted or not.
The latter can be found out by going to the database of stolen cars.
The most important point is the technical condition of the vehicle. The operation of the engine, transmission, brakes and suspension should be checked. Abnormal sounds or vibrations may indicate problems. You need to inspect the body for rust, dents and paint marks. Avilon’s Roman Titov notes that irregular gaps may indicate that the car was repaired after an accident.
What should you be careful about?
Roman Timashov says that Russians who decide to buy a used car should be careful if its mileage is very low. In his opinion, if the car is slightly used, but at the same time not adequately maintained, this type of transportation will require investment. Experts also recommended paying attention to the price tag of the car.
“Compare the price with market offers. A price that is too low may indicate hidden problems.
Don’t forget to take a test drive. It will help you evaluate how the car behaves on the road,” says Roman Titov.
Buyers should also be wary of situations where the seller is in too much of a rush to complete the transaction. Experts say that some Russians, afraid of missing out on a good offer, buy cars even without documents and keys.
What documents are needed
The purchase of a used car can only be carried out on the basis of documents confirming ownership correctly completed by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. First of all, we are talking about a purchase and sale agreement (SPA). The document is prepared in any format and does not require notarization. If you buy a used car from an official car dealer, experienced specialists are guaranteed to prepare a high-quality document. If the transaction is concluded independently, you need to take into account that the purchase and sale contract is drawn up in three copies: two for the participants in the transaction and one for the traffic police.
“The contract must specify the exact cost, payment and transfer procedure, absence of collateral, information from the vehicle passport (PTS) and the date of issuance, passport information of the buyer and seller, as well as the date. and the place where the contract is signed.
When returning the vehicle, fill out the vehicle acceptance document,
“You noted the fact of the transfer, the technical condition of the car and, most importantly, the absence of any claims by the parties regarding the payment and transaction regarding the transferred car,” Andrei Grishakov explained.
Payment for the vehicle can be made immediately after the documentation is completed. If cash payment is selected, the seller must write a receipt confirming receipt of the amount.
What to do after buying a car
At the end of the transaction, in addition to the vehicle, the customer must have keys, PTS (electronic or physical), vehicle registration certificate (VRC), DCT, security alarm labels, if any, and other documents (for example, a service book).
“You must apply to any traffic police department within 10 days after the vehicle purchase and sale agreement is made and re-register the vehicle in your name. At the same time, registration and place of residence do not matter,” explained Roman Titov.
He added that to register in the traffic police you will need: an application (can be filled out using a sample in the department or on the traffic police website or online on the State Services portal), the vehicle owner’s passport, a vehicle passport, registration certificate (the STS of the previous owner is required), MTPL policy (you need to have time to undergo maintenance within 10 days and, as a result, receive a special document – diagnostic card), purchase and sales contract.
“In addition, since you can only drive a vehicle with the previous owner’s certificate for 10 days from the date of signing the purchase and sale contract, you must have a compulsory motor insurance policy. After this period, you must purchase a policy in your name, otherwise you will face administrative liability for driving without insurance,” said Avilon’s Titov.