How to find a great used car just by looking at the advertisement

Most online car classified pages feature hundreds of thousands of used car ads at any one time. In addition to bargain prices, the used car market is not short on variety as well – offering a plethora of choices at virtually any price point depending on the age and condition of the vehicle in question.

In addition to great deals, buying a used car also means less depreciation over time as the highest rates of depreciation (typically in the first five years of ownership) may have come to pass.

After which, the residual value of the car starts to stabilise, as the subsequent buyer takes ownership of the vehicle.

However, as always, the catch is finding a good condition vehicle that has been well maintained by its previous owner. This covers the scheduled maintenance and upkeep as well as general care to ensure it looks and drives great even after a few years. 

Separately, it is best to do your research on the car and narrow down your classifieds search by properly analysing the ads. You’d be surprised how much you can tell about the condition of a car just from an ad.

Therefore, we selected the above ad to illustrate these points, let's take a closer look. 

Also read: Earn RM 4k a month? Here are 6 great used cars, from Civic to C-Class

The car is parked under a shade

From the ad, we can tell that the current owner parks the car under a shaded porch. This aspect alone almost guarantees that the car would not have been exposed to excessive sunlight throughout its lifespan. A car that is parked in the shade will have substantially better paint quality after a few years versus one that isn’t.

This would also mean the interior is less exposed to UV rays and high cabin temperatures, meaning plastics and upholstery will likely be in better condition too. Even a cursory look at the pictures tells you this Toyota Camry is in great shape on the outside.

The interior looks superb

Analysing the interior shots further provides evidence that this owner has cared for the interior well. The dashboard looks clean and presentable, the leather upholstery shows little to no signs of discolouration or other physical damage such as rips or tears.

The current owner has even taken the extra care by placing accessory mats on the front and rear seats, further protecting the original upholstery from dirt and wear.

Also read: Used vs new: For RM 60k or less, Honda Jazz (GK) or Perodua Myvi?

The seller has provided adequate photographs

The seller has provided adequate images to properly exhibit the car’s condition inside out. In a very simple sense, there is nothing to hide if the prospective buyer can see the entire car and not just certain angles that might be more flattering than others.

The seller has even provided a picture of the owner’s manual and service booklet, which adds further credence that the car is as complete as it was from the factory. The ad however is missing a picture of the engine and boot, which should be requested if one wants to pursue the deal.

A simple description

In the description, the seller has added one crucial bit of info which is a pre-requisite of any good used vehicle – stating that the car has been fully maintained by a Toyota service centre. Therefore, the car’s maintenance records can be cross-referenced if needed, also what maintenance services were done (and when) to paint a comprehensive picture of the car’s mechanical health.

In cases where the car has not been maintained by an authorised service centre (or sent to independent workshops after the warranty period), a complete set of service records is a must-have if you intend to purchase a great car.

The benchmark used car buying experience

If you are wondering if there is any online classifieds platform that does all the due diligence of finding and presenting great condition cars, thereby removing the worry and guesswork typically associated with buying a used vehicle. 

Also read: What paperwork do you need before selling your car?

Yes, there is. All that the aspects we have highlighted in this piece are present and accounted for when using Carsome’s online buying and selling platform.

First off, prices are fixed and all-inclusive with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what you're paying for. 

Also read: There's now a way to avoid sleazy used car dealers and their hidden charges

In addition, every listing comes with comprehensive info fields which highlight exactly what you need to know (i.e.: mileage, condition, and features), and includes a variety of images to give you a 360-degree view of the car.

Carsome further sets itself apart from the competition by highlighting any item/component that it deems imperfect courtesy of a mandatory 175-point inspection.

This transparency simply means you know exactly what you are getting when you purchase a car from them, which is additionally backed up by a 1-year warranty (for every car it sells) for total peace of mind. 

Also read: 5 sporty hatchbacks you can buy in Malaysia that won’t break the bank