Are you looking for a used car in Gurgaon? Do you want to upgrade your car? But you don’t have the budget to get the new one. Then a second-hand car is the best option. In the fast-changing city like Gurgaon, buying a used car is not easy. You have to be more careful when you buy a used car than when you buy a new one, though. Since you’re buying a car that someone else has already driven, it’s crucial to inspect everything to make sure you get a good car and not a significant problem.
In this guide we give you a short list of things to do in order. This list will help you feel comfortable and sure about your choice when you buy a used car in Gurgaon next time.
Also read: EV Used Cars in Gurgaon– Are They Worth It Yet?
Step-by-Step Guide for Used Car Inspection
Before buying a used car, inspection is very important. Inspection is the detailed examination of an old car to know its actual condition. It generally includes checking car mechanical, electrical, and structural components. It helps car buyers to identify potential issues, hidden damages, and maintenance needs. Here we share a comprehensive list to check before buying the used car.
Step 1: Look at the Car’s Body
You should first take a very close look at the car’s body. This can tell you a lot about what happened to the car in the past.
Look for Signs of Big Crashes
Go all the way around the car. Is the paint on all the panels (doors, bonnet, and boot) a perfect match? A small change in color implies that a portion was repainted. This usually happens after an accident or substantial damage. Also, check the metal parts within the trunk and the hood. If you find any uneven welds, fissures, or thick layers of body filler, the car may have been in a bad accident. The welds on a car that is carefully taken care of will be smooth and original.
Look at the Windows and Doors
Open and shut all the doors and the trunk lid. They should be easy to open and close. Look at the rubber seals around the doors and windows. They shouldn’t be ripped or lost. Make sure the electric motor works well for each window by rolling them all up and down.
Check the Tires
Check all four tires, including the spare tire. Are the grooves on the tires deep enough? If the tread is severely low, you should get new tires straight away. Also, see if the wear is the same all over the tire. If the tires wear unevenly, it could mean that the car’s steering or alignment is off.
Step 2: Check the Engine and Other Mechanical Parts
You need to inspect the engine first because it’s the most important part of the car.
Check the Engine Bay (Under the Bonnet)
Lift the hood with the engine off. Check for any fluids or oil leaking anywhere. The engine should appear really tidy. If it looks excessively clean, the seller might have washed it right before you got there to disguise leaks. The oil on the dipstick should be brown or black, not thick and sticky like mud.
Turn on the Engine
This is very important: ask the vendor to start the engine when it is absolutely cold. It should be easy and quick to start the car. Hear the sound of the engine. It should work smoothly, with no loud knocking or unusual tapping sounds. After around ten minutes, check the exhaust pipe for smoke.
Step 3: Take the Car for a Test Drive
You should always take a long test drive before you buy a used car. Try driving it on different kinds of roads, like city streets with sluggish traffic and wide roads.
Check the Steering and Brakes
Drive the car and push the brakes hard yet safely. The car should stop straight and not pull hard to one side. When you brake, pay attention to any squealing or grinding sounds. The steering wheel should feel steady when you’re driving straight, and you shouldn’t have to fight to keep the car going straight.
Look at the Gearbox
If the car is a manual, go through all the gears. They should fit in easily without a lot of force or grinding. If it’s an automatic car, the gears should change smoothly, with no unexpected jerks or weird delays.
Check All Electrical Items
When you’re driving, turn up the air conditioner all the way, both for heating and cooling. Check the radio, lights (headlights, brake lights, and turn signals), wipers, horn, and every button you can locate. Check to see if there are any warning lights on the dashboard, like “Check Engine” or “Airbag.”
Also read: Recent GST Additions You Must Know Before Buying a Second-Hand Car in 2025
Step 4: Look at the Inside and the Features
A good interior demonstrates that the previous owner took good care of the car.
Look at the Roof and Seats
Check the chairs for tears, significant stains, or burns. Look at the roof lining (the cloth on the ceiling) to make sure it isn’t dirty or sagging.
Take a whiff of the cabin
It can be hard to clean a car that smells like mold, dampness, or a lot of cigarette smoke. A clean smell is generally a positive indicator.
Look at the Odometer Reading
The odometer tells you how far the car has gone in kilometers. Look at this figure in relation to the car’s overall condition and service records. If the car looks old and worn out but the odometer displays very low miles, someone may have modified the reading (tampered with it).
Step 5: Check the Important Paperwork
Without the right and clear legal documentation, even the best-looking car is useless. This is the most crucial thing to do.
The Registration Certificate (RC)
Check to see if the RC is a real document and not a clone. Make sure the name on the RC is the same as the name of the person you are buying from (the seller or the dealer). Compare the engine number and chassis number on the RC to the numbers that are really stamped on the car’s chassis. They have to be the same. Check the date on the car’s registration to see how old it is.
Paperwork for Insurance
The car needs to be insured. Look at the date when the insurance will run out. The record will also reveal if there have been any insurance claims in the past, which proves that the car was in a serious accident.
History of Service
Get the service book or records for the car. This shows that the car was routinely maintained. A full service history is a big advantage.
Loan or Hypothecation
Look at the RC to determine if the automobile was bought with a loan. The RC will say “Hypothecated” on it if it was. You need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the bank that says the loan has been paid off in full. You will be accountable for the loan if you buy a car with it.
Buying second-hand cars can be a little tricky but is not difficult at all. You just have to be open-minded. And if you want to make things go smoothly, you can get in touch with HaloTrades.
Why Should You Buy a Used Car in Gurgaon From the HaloTrades Platform?
Here are the reasons why you should buy a used car from our online platform.
Availability of Verified Car History
We have strict checks in place for the used cars in Gurgaon that are posted on our site. This means that consumers who buy used cars may see the whole history of the car they want to buy. This information includes the car’s service history, previous owners, and how many kilometers it has traveled.
Online and Hassle-Free
You can begin your search for a used car in Gurgaon online, via the website or apps. Once you book a test drive for the used cars online, you can schedule your meeting directly with the seller. Besides this, you also have the opportunity of comparing prices from other websites. You can explore a wide range of options from the comfort of your home.
Quick and Easy Paperwork
To make it easier to buy a used car in Gurgaon, our experts will handle the RC transfer and other documentation that needs to be done when buying a used car.
Pick from a Wide Range of Used Cars
Our website includes a long list of used cars in Gurgaon that are now for sale and can be bought quickly. This lets the consumer look around before choosing the second-hand cars they want.
By following the above shared checklist and with the help of HaloTrades, you can confidently buy used cars in Gurgaon. To know more about services and our process of dealing, visit our website or directly contact us.
Also read: 5 Reasons Why Halo Trades Is Better Than Classified Platforms
FAQs
Q: What is the most essential thing to check in the documents?
The most important thing to check is the RC to ensure the car’s details match the document and to verify if the car has a loan, which requires a bank’s No Objection Certificate.
Q: How does HaloTrades make the second-hand car buying process easier in Gurgaon?
HaloTrades simplifies the process by providing genuine and verified sellers with detailed car history for transparency. We offer an online platform to make your search hassle-free with a wide range of options and complete guidance through the entire process of dealing.
Q: What is the primary way to check if a used car has been in a major accident?
The primary way is to closely inspect the car’s body for unevenly matched paint color, uneven welds, or thick body filler on the metal parts.