MOTORING NEWS - Buying a used car has never been more convenient. That does not mean it has become less risky. 

Buying a car – new or used - is still one of the largest purchases most people will make. And in a market where accident damage, outstanding finance, mileage tampering, and online fraud remain real risks, buyers need to look beyond photos and price.

Before you commit, these are the four checks worth doing.

Know what the car is really worth

The first question is simple: is the price realistic? Whether you are buying a vehicle or trading in your current one, you should understand its trade, retail, and market value before entering the conversation.

Trade value is the price a dealer will offer to buy your car. Retail value is the price at which a dealer advertises and sells the vehicle. 

Market value is the realistic price at which the car is likely to sell for once factors such as demand, condition, mileage, and overall market conditions are taken into account.

Understanding the market value helps you identify inflated prices, assess whether a deal is fair, and determine whether your current vehicle still has equity. 

If you owe more on your car than it is worth, you may not yet be in a position to trade it in.

Check the vehicle’s full history

Before buying a used car, pull a full vehicle history report to help you avoid scams and unsafe vehicles. This report typically includes ownership history, checks for stolen status, if money is still owed on the vehicle, accident history, and microdot information.

In South Africa, many vehicle write-offs are financial decisions rather than safety decisions. The danger comes in when a car may have been written off, repaired, and returned to the market without the buyer fully understanding what happened to it. 

Compare the various vehicle history reports available to consumers and prioritise the report that includes salvage data information. 

Not every car with a history should be avoided. But you should know what you are buying before you buy it.

Check your affordability before shopping seriously

Many people start with the car they want and only later discover whether the financing works for them. That is the wrong way around. 

Before you spend weekends visiting dealerships or enquiring online, check whether you are likely to qualify for vehicle finance.

Affordability is not only about the monthly instalment. Insurance, fuel, maintenance, and your existing settlement amount all matter. A buyer who understands their financial position is better placed to make the right decision.

Verify who you are dealing with

If you are buying or selling privately, Identity Verification matters. Online marketplaces have made it easier to connect buyers and sellers, but they have also created space for fraud. A seller may ask for a deposit before you have seen the car. 

A buyer may arrive with false details. The vehicle may not even belong to the person advertising it.

Before money or vehicles change hands, verify the person you are dealing with. That applies whether you are buying or selling.

A seller saying “the car is clean” is not enough. A dealer saying “we checked it” is not enough either. Ask for proof. Through Kredo Mobility’s newly launched consumer-facing platform, CarFree, buyers and sellers can easily access vehicle values, history checks, finance readiness, and verification tools before they make decisions.

Used cars will always carry some risk. But consumers no longer need to go in blind. 

The right checks will not guarantee a perfect car, but they will help you avoid the wrong one.

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