What You Need To Know About Buying a Used Car

When it comes to buying a used car, most of us are unaware of where to start and things to consider. Also, the price of used cars is pretty much capable of putting you into a shock! So, if you are heading to the used car market to purchase, keep the following pointers in mind!
Deciding on the Type of Vehicle
The first thing to consider is the type of vehicle you wish to buy. Are you looking to invest in a sedan? Moreover, if you have a big family, you might want to invest in an SUV.
It is also important to note that used luxury cars typically cost half their original price. Identify your needs and look for a vehicle accordingly!

Photo Credit: unsplash.com
What's Your Budget?
In order to end up with a decent used car in a reasonably well maintained condition, you should budget for anywhere between 3.5 lakhs to 6 lakhs. The advantage here is that you can either buy a year old car from one segment higher or an even older car atleast that´s 2-3 segments higher. On the other hand, if you are eying a luxury car, that number can double or even triple! Know that the depreciation value of used vehicles is based on their age.
Weighing In All Purchase Options
You can buy one from a private party or a certified dealer when opting for a used car. All purchase options come with pros and cons. Buying a car from a dealer will get you a warranty, but the cost is typically high. Purchasing a used car privately might be cheap, but it lacks a warranty.
How Are You Going to Pay for It?
One of your best payment methods for buying a used vehicle is using cash. However, if you don't have sufficient funds, how do you plan on financing the purchase?
You can opt for used car financing, but it will push your budget by a pretty good margin. Also, consider that even a second-hand car will incur costs of insurance, registration fee, fuel and property taxes.

Photo Credit: unsplash.com
Check for Minimal Details
Have you finally found the SUV, sedan, truck, or van that interests you? That's great! But, the most significant challenge is yet to come. You have to check whether the used car is in proper shape.
The safety features should be in place. Besides, it would be best to inspect for signs of uneven wear and ageing.
Have the Car Checked By a Mechanic
Once you've checked the car and it checks for all requirements on your list, it's time to bring a professional into the scene. It is wise to hire a mechanic to inspect the car closely. A mechanic will identify any underlying problems or alerts. Besides, a proper in-depth inspection can save you from avoiding a money pit.

Photo Credit: unsplash.com
With these six-pointers, you can make sure that you get your hands on the right used car for your needs!
Latest News
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Feb 4, 2026Skoda Kylaq Crosses 50,000 Units Sales MilestoneThe Kylaq has been the brand’s best-selling car, which has led to Skoda Auto India’s best-ever sales performance in 2025.1 min read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Feb 4, 2026Volkswagen Tayron R-Line’s Pre-Bookings Open For Rs. 51,000Customers can pre-book the SUV for a token of Rs. 51,000; however, the price announcement will take place sometime later in February 2026.1 min read
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
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






















































































































