- CONTRIBUTED
Check out your car's mechanical fitness before you drive it off the lot.
Paul Messam, Contributor
"NEVER PURCHASE a used car in a hurry." That's the word from Anthony Mitchell, a Kingston-based mechanic with over 25 years' experience in the motoring world.
"When shopping for a used car, be prepared to turn down any deal in which you are pressured to buy in a hurry," advises Mitchell. According to him, a prospective buyer needs ample time to check the car carefully.
"Take as long as two or three weeks to find the best car; as the cost of buying and owning a car demands great care to avoid unnecessary expenses."
Mr Mitchell further explains that one should not impulse buy, out of a desire to impress anyone.
"Some cars may only look good, however, be suspicious of any late model car being sold at a very low price; it could been stolen or in a major crash."
When you see a car that appeals to your vehicle taste buds, check further to see if it is in good condition.
"Take a mechanic and a bodyman with you to check things such as the vehicle's radiator, oil leaks, any major body damage," advises Kenneth Shaw, president of the Jamaica Used Car Dealers Association (JUCDA).
According to Mr Shaw, it is also vital to check with the Inland Revenue and the Stolen Vehicle section of the police force, to ascertain that someone is not passing on an illegal vehicle to the perspective buyer and that the vehicle is legally imported.
What are the repairs to consider when buying a used car? Consider the cost of these repairs along with the purchase price. Checks with various auto stores revealed mixed prices which depended on the model, type or year of the vehicle.
LEAST EXPENSIVE REPAIRS1. Holes in the muffler or tailpipe $1,000 to replace (used)
2. Dirty air cleaner $2,500 (used)
3. Frayed rubber on windshield wipers (for 1) $360 + tax (new)
4. Frayed or worn fan belt $1,000 (new), $350 (used)
5. Cracks or leaks in hoses under the hood $164 + tax & up
6. Chipped paint and minor rust spots on body approx. $5,000 or more, depending on car
7. Wheels out of alignment due to uneven tyre wear; pulls to one side. To align from $750 + tax upwards. To balance $300 upwards.
8. Burnt out light bulbs. Depends on vehicle; from $30-$230 upwards
9. Battery water level low or cables corroded battery from $3,500 upwards.
10. Transmission low on fluid $180 per bottle for transmission fluid
11. Replace faulty heat thermostat thermostat from $573-$2,000 also depends on vehicle.
12. Tyres have almost no tread or uneven front tyre wear. The cost of new tyres.
13. Fenders dented Toyota Corolla $1,500-$2,500 used)
14. Jack and spare tyre missing Jack $1,000 + tax, cost of new tyre)
15. Brakes grab or pull to one side, grind when braking. Probably disc rotor need skimming ($1,800 - $3,000).
MODERATELY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS1. Front end bounces, needs shock absorbers. ( New shock absorbers $4,101 + tax; used $2,500
2. The engine starts hard or idles roughly
3. Acceleration is uneven; car hesitates
4. Clogged heating core; needs to be cleaned or replaced.
5. Jerks when shifting or shifts late; automatic transmission needs adjustment (if its Hydraulic it can't be adjusted, however for checking & adjustment app $1,500 & up
6. Wheel bearings cause grinding sound when the car is moving (wheel bearings (for e.g. a Toyota front wheel bearings $ 1,336.00; back $1,436.00; BMW front $12,500.00; back $4,500.00.. For a pick up $1,700.00).
7. Brake pedal sinks to the floor, but pressure can be built by pumping.
8. Engine starts hard or idles roughly.
9. Paint faded; larger rust spots; paint job needed (for the approx. $70,000 + tax approx. $7,000 for primer, $25,000 materials, $25,000 for paint job, $18,000 for other materials).
10. Car leans to one side
11. Doors do not open or close smoothly.
12. Windows do not open or close smoothly; broken glass (e.g. Corolla $2,000).
13. Hood or trunk lid do not close smoothly or evenly,
14. Water or radiator leaks (radiator from $4,500 used $28,227 depending on the vehicle).
15. Spark plugs wiring frayed (spark plug $1000 for a set).
16. Worn or dirty upholstery (for interior from $3000 $20,000) depending on the job.
TOO EXPENSIVE TO CONSIDER BUYING1. Oil around bearings or noisy compressor. (approx. $30,000) for the job
2. Engine smokes when
accelerating (new engine from $18,000 $60,000)
3. Engine slips when accelerating (could be bad bearings which $6,000 approx. each).
