Avoiding flood-damaged used cars, here are the things to demand from your seller

Many car savvy folks prefer buying a used car than a new one, for one very good reason – cars depreciate the most in their first year so why not let someone else deal with the loss first?

At the same time, dealing with used car dealers can be tricky. Depending on who you speak to, the used car market can be either a gold mine or a minefield.

It takes a certain level of street-smart to find hidden good deals in the used car market place.

The recent floods across many states in Malaysia also means that a large number of flood-damaged cars will soon be entering the used car market, and many car buyers worry about buying a used during this period.

As much as you can refer to our guide on how to spot a flood-damaged car, used car dealers are experts in masking defects, from rolled back odometers to disabled warning lights, dressing up a flood-damaged car bought at a low price is not that difficult.

Also read: Buying used cars: 6 signs of flood damage

There are several used car marketplaces that offer various levels of assurances and protection against buying defective cars, so these platforms are a place to start.

Ask for a detailed inspection report

Several online used car classifieds offer to do vehicle inspections for free and prospective buyers can view these reports online.

However not all inspection reports are the same. Some are just mere marketing gimmicks, with every car listed on sale described as ‘excellent.’

A good inspection report will go into the tiniest details. Rubber strips along the door area will be peeled back to look rust, residual material, or moisture stains – all signs of water entering the cabin.

Seat rails must be inspected and floor carpet mats peeled back to look for residual or unusual dirt / stains.

Ask about warranty

Used cars over 5 years old usually don't come with any warranty and when they are offered with one, it’s usually because it’s backed by a third-party insurer, so don’t assume that the terms and conditions and coverage of the warranty is the same as that of a new car.

Ask about the extent of the warranty coverage, terms and conditions.

The most expensive parts of a car are usually related to engine, transmission, electronics, cooling system, and air-conditioning. Check to what extent are these covered.  

Most importantly, ask for the documents to back these claims up. A verbal agreement by the seller doesn’t mean anything.

Check for hidden charges

Some used car dealers will surprise you by adding ‘processing fees’ that goes into thousands of Ringgits, after you’ve agreed to buy the car.

So make sure the listed price is the actual price you are paying. Apart from insurance (which will differ from one buyer to another) and minimal incidental fees like JPJ registration transfer charges and Puspakom inspection, you shouldn’t be paying much else.

Bonus: Money-back guarantee

Some used car dealers / classifieds platforms are now offering money-back guarantee. If you are unhappy with your purchase, or found out that the car has been involved in a serious accident or caught in a flood, the seller will buy the car back from you.

It sounds good but once again, the terms and conditions differ from one platform to another, so ask for more details – when does the offer expire, under what conditions can you return the car, etc.

The used car market is a gold mine, not a mine field

The used car market may be tricky to navigate but there are plenty of good deals there, if you know where to look.

Nearly everyone at the WapCar team has bought at least one used car, and some of us do it quite frequently, changing from one used car to another every few years.

Some online classifieds have made it their business to remove the risks commonly associated with used cars. Buying a used car today is so much simpler than what it used to be, when many of us used to drive from one place to another and relying on our wits to find that one gem of a deal for a rare car in that one highly sought after specifications.

Today, there sites that offer a 360-degree view of the car, inside and outside, allowing us to zoom in to inspect the tiniest detail, like looking for cracks on the dashboard, or if there are scuff marks on the seat belt.

So don’t be too concerned about buying a used car in this period.

If there’s an online marketplace that is offering a no questions asked money-back guarantee, it’s a zero risk purchase.