Tell-Tale Signs To Check When Buying Used Cars

A pre-owned car is the perfect solution to buying a decent car offering the features that you want at a cost that you can afford. It is also a smart way to purchase a luxury car and ride in style while keeping your pockets happy. However, the downside to this mode of purchase is that you may finally come across the pre-owned car of your dreams, but can´t sure of the way it´s been maintained. This is why it is necessary to know how to inspect the car properly, and which signs to look for to verify whether the car is in the promised condition. Here's what you should look for:

Choose a trustworthy dealership

There are many car dealerships that take care of the car like its new. They even repair and quality check the car before putting it up on sale. Some dealerships, however, do not pay attention to details and can sell you a car that will kick the bucket before long. Hence, always look for certified and trustworthy dealerships. You can even talk to their previous customers to do a background check.
Pay attention to nuances
A car's condition can be well understood by its inner and outer appearance. You can also check for smells or rust in the remote areas like door bottoms and hinges. Also, open the car's bonnet and check how the engine looks.
Inspect the underbody and wheel wells
Another important task is to inspect the bodywork of the car and see if there are signs of a motor accident. Look for chipped paint, dents or fender benders, which could affect the internal mechanisms of the vehicle.
Take a thorough driving test

Take the car out for a test run and drive on different types of roads. Drive up a hill and down slope but make sure the car is running properly before that by driving on levelled roads. Check if the gears are shifting smoothly or if you can hear any creaking noise. Also make sure the accelerator and brakes work properly even at higher speeds.
Check the tyres
A dealership would probably not replace a car's tyres unless they are too damaged to function. This is good to check how worn out the car is. If the tyres are pretty worn out, the car probably is too.
Make sure the suspension is smooth
If the car feels heavy while crossing uneven roads, it could indicate interior damage in the car, even if you are able to drive it properly. In such a case you should have the car inspected, or you should pick out a different model.
Buying a car for yourself can be satisfying and useful investment. Be vigilant if you try to buy a second-hand car and make sure the formalities are done properly!
Latest News
car&bike Team | Feb 4, 2026Audi India Adds ‘My Auras’ In-Car Experience ModesAvailable for select models, the feature syncs the mood lighting, music, air conditioning, seat heating/ventilation and massage functions based on the selected mode.1 min read
car&bike Team | Feb 4, 2026Suzuki Access ABS Launched At Rs. 92,328The Suzuki Access ABS is now the most-affordable two-wheeler with single-channel ABS on sale in India.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Feb 4, 2026Nissan Gravite MPV India Debut On February 17Set to be underpinned by Renault-Nissan’s CMF-A platform, the Gravite will share its underpinnings with the Renault Triber.1 min read
car&bike Team | Feb 3, 2026China Mandates Fitting of Mechanical Door Handles On New Cars From 2027Vehicles already on sale to be given an additional 2 years to conform to the new norms.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Feb 3, 2026Mercedes-Benz CLA EV India Debut In April 2026The new-gen CLA, in its all-electric avatar, was globally unveiled in March 2025.1 min read
car&bike Team | Feb 3, 2026Two-Wheeler Sales January 2026: Hero MotoCorp, TVS, Royal Enfield, Suzuki Report Sustained GrowthMost brands have reported year-on-year growth in the first month of CY26.4 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | Feb 4, 2026Volkswagen Tayron R-Line Review: Sensible Flagship For IndiaVolkswagen has introduced a made-in-India flagship SUV that offers space, comfort, performance, and German driving finesse in a practical three-row package. But is the Tayron R-Line good enough?6 mins read
Preetam Bora | Feb 2, 2026TVS NTorq 150 Road Test Review: Bigger, Better & More Efficient!We test the new TVS NTorq 150 out in the real world to get a sense of what it offers in terms of performance, dynamics and fuel economy.7 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | Jan 21, 2026Tata Punch Facelift Review: New Turbo Engine; Same Old SoulWith the update, the Tata Punch facelift retains its character of being a healthy runabout, which is perfect for Indian roads. But have these changes made it any better?7 mins read
Amaan Ahmed | Jan 17, 2026Bajaj Chetak C25 First Ride Review: Basic, Likeable E-Scooter For First-Time RidersThe Chetak C25, in quite a few ways, is poles apart from the larger and more powerful 30 and 35 Series models, but in its mannerisms, it is very much a Chetak.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | Jan 9, 2026Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: 10,000 km Long-Term ReviewAfter spending over three months and 10,000 km with the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder Hybrid, we were impressed by its real-world mileage, seamless hybrid, practical comfort, and Toyota reliability. Is it the best C-SUV then?5 mins read






















































































































