3 Things You’ll Need To Change In A Used Car

Second-hand vehicles can be a fantastic opportunity for car owners to get their hands on a modern model without the price tag. Most vehicles lose 30% or over of their value within the first couple of years. Therefore, you can still get yourself a relatively new car with all the latest-ish gadgets, but you don’t need to pay full price. 

However, used vehicles can also present risks. When you are buying a second-hand car, you need to do your research carefully. Is this specific model safe? Can you trust the seller? What is the vehicle history? There are many questions to ask to ensure you don’t waste money on a scam. 

But, it’s important to appreciate that a used car will also require essential investments when you buy it. These are not always the responsibility of the seller. Here are the top 5 most common wear and tear replacements to expect with a second-hand vehicle. 

Unsplash – CC0 License 

#1. New tyres

How long do your tyres last? The answer is: it depends. If you are buying a car with low mileage, chances are that it still got its original tyres on. As a rule of thumb, you need to refer to the tread depth. Anything lower than 1.6mm is not road legal. While the vehicle might just be at the limit at the time of purchase, it’s a good idea to check with your local tyre expert, 5 Star Tyres, to pre-order a new set. Some sellers change the tyres to increase the sale price. However, it is likely to be one of the first expenses you have to make when you get the car.  

#2. The oil

While you can easily see when your tyres are worn out, it’s not as simple to figure out when you should change your engine oil. Ideally, you want to ask the seller when the vehicle has last had an oil change. Manufacturers tend to recommend changing your oil every 5,000km to 10,000km. An important part of servicing the vehicle focuses on changing the oil. So, if there is no history of professional servicing, you may want to book one after the purchase to get your oil and filter changed. 

Unsplash – CC0 License 

#3. Sunroof system

If the vehicle has a sunroof, you need to brace yourself for some of the most common issues. Sunroof problems are frequent. They can be easily fixed, but they require extra maintenance to make the most of your sunroof. The first issue you could encounter is a leak around the sunroof. This can happen as a result of a broken rubber seal or a misaligned closing mechanism. The second most common issue is a blocked sunroof, which means you can’t close it. You can manually force the sunroof shut before inspecting its inner mechanism. A broken component can be the source of the problem. Thankfully, you can find inexpensive components or full mechanisms on eBay. 

Understandably, many car buyers feel cheated when they need to face additional costs to maintain their newly purchased vehicle. However, these repairs are typical wear and tear damages that do not affect the quality of the vehicle. Along with brake pads and floor mats, they need to be your top priority investments for a second-hand car.