Buying car – What do I need to check?

Already made up your mind to get a New or Used car?

Just putting up some general guides and useful information for your reading. I tried to simplified the key points and suggestions:-

BUYING A NEW CAR

• • What is the Manufacture Year (MY)?

Is the car “current” year or the year before? E.g. Purchase date in March 2025 for a car MY24 or MY25 ? The car can be manufactured in Dec 2024, but unregistered.

• • Which model of the year?

Dealer might be clearing their old stock as they knew there is new model/design coming very soon in few months time. E.g. You can find 2 different model of Toyota RAV4 in year 2024. Early in the year of 2025 you are getting the old stock RAV4 old design, while if you wait for a little longer and you may get a facelift RAV4 with cooler aesthetic. Older model may have test fuel consumption of 6.4L/100km while new model with 5.9L/100km. This is just an example for comparison without taking in the price of the vehicle for consideration or any specific variant of model.

• • Comes with which Warranty?

5 / 7 / 10 years? limited kilometres or unlimited kilometres? The importance of this warranty is to ensure “in-case” any major mechanical or electronic failure and you are covered under the warranty and can sent it back for repair free-of-charge… but… if fixing the “failure” is unable to get it back to 100% as it suppose to be… honestly, I’m uncertain that the dealer will replace a new vehicle for you. It always comes to “what actually happen to your New car”.

• • Is there a Capped Price Servicing?

Fixed price servicing for the period of warranty… you might need to take into consideration for your future maintenance cost for the car. Check with the dealer how much will be the fixed normal service cost & major service cost. They might have a list to be able to show it to you.

• • Maintenance service interval?

Older batch most probably comes with recommended service on every 6 months / 10,000km whichever comes 1st. As for newer batch is usually comes with recommended service on every 12 months / 15,000km or 20,000km whichever comes 1st.

• • What is included in the price/drive-away price?

Your final “Drive-away” price should included any discount given, factory fitted accessories, non-factory fitted accessories, registration cost (include CTP-Comprehensive Third Party). What is not included will be your “Comprehensive or Third Party Property Damage car Insurance cover”. For any Insurance related questions, we suggest your get advise from reliable Advisor >>> Collins Insurance Services

BUYING A USED CAR

• • What is the Manufacture Year (MY)?

You might need to know which model & year of the car, so that you will be able to check the correct mechanical specifications of the model.

• • What is the Mileage travelled?

The more it travels meaning that the more this car is being “used/driven”. E.g. Owner A:2020 car travelled 40,000km Vs. Owner B:2023 car travelled 40,000km. The newer car (year 2023) does not necessary newer than the 2020 car in this scenario. You might have to start thinking if where did this Owner B been using this car to travel within just a short period of time?

Just an idea for you: averagely a car being used to travel to work will be traveling around 10,000km/year to 15,000km/year within Adelaide Region. If it runs about 20,000km/year, it might means that the owner drives a longer distance to work or been using the car for a few interstate travelling during the holidays.

• • Do all the car Maintenance Service records available?

It is important to check where do the car being serviced or properly maintained. What does the previous service included and what is the recommended service need to be done in the next schedule service? The last service maybe just a standard service cost about $300, but the next service will be a major service which might cost you $1200. So this is what you need to spend some time going through and understand the service records.

Usually the Car Service Handbook will come together with the Car Manual. Check if the servicing records (invoices) is tally with the servicing record book? Genuine service centre stamp? or it is just handwritten?

• • Is there a Capped Price Servicing?

If you are getting a newer car (e.g. within 5 years). You might still be able to enjoy capped price servicing as it is transferable to the new owner (You). The maintenance servicing cost is capped on the price given few years ago, which most probably lower than anywhere else at the time you purchase this car.

• • Maintenance service interval?

Older batch most probably comes with recommended service on every 6 months / 10,000km whichever comes 1st. As for newer batch is usually comes with recommended service on every 12 months / 15,000km or 20,000km whichever comes 1st.

• • Used-car Warranty period

Even though there is a minimum warranty period must be given by the “seller”, but I do not see the actual benefits from this. This is what I think about this warranty, few examples:-

1. If you buy the car from a used car dealer / private seller far from you (100km away). Will you still getting a warranty fix for a damaged side mirror?
2. If there is mechanical failure (engine) after 2 weeks. How would the seller response to you? If private seller, what’s the % of chances he/she will fix it for you or even refund it to you? If Used-car dealer, do they replace another car for you or they chose to repair it for you? If they repair, you might be lucky… but… how long will it took?

• • What is included in the price?

If you are getting from a Used-car dealer, always ask what’s is the final drive-away price. Never trust the “advertised price” as it does not include registration fee, transfer fee, or some might charge “delivery fee” too.

If getting from private seller, it will be straight-forward… the final price will include whatever is there as what you see exclude fee or stamp duty related to transfer of ownership, which you can find out here >>> SA.GOV.AU

There will be a $31 for the Registration Transfer Fee.

• • Benefits of buying from Used-car dealer

You gets if you ask: checked maintenance service records, full tank of petrol, any accessories already installed with the car (e.g. tow bar), floor mat, cleaned car, free delivery service, maybe free touch-up / polished / cleaned engine area / cleaned dashboard area.

• • Benefits of buying from Private seller

Main benefit “Lower price” and might provide you all the accessories already installed (e.g. dashcam, floor mats, tinting, ceramic paint coatings, phone charger, phone holder, etc.).

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